Doomsday

Director Travis Kopach on Kid Rock "Let's Ride"

Travis Kopach, director:

"As a director (and skateboarder) run production company, we did what we’ve always done: That is, make videos that make sense for the song.  There’s no need for a five page in-depth article about how and why this was made.  I’m not that kind of director and this isn’t that kind of music video.

'Let’s Ride' is about going to war and the willingness to give your life for your country.  Kid Rock has always been a strong supporter of the troops and I have a brother going through basic training right now.  We did what made sense; we shot a giant performance in Detroit and set it against real footage of troops on the ground.  It’s stripped backed, it’s real and it’s anti Hollywood."

WATCH IT: Kid Cudi/WZRD "Teleport 2 Me, Jamie" (Walter Robot, dir.)

I wonder if it's a coincidence that the two videos that feature Kid Cudi dreaming were both initially shelved, only to leak later on to raves. The last one was the trippy Megaforce opus "Pursuit Of Happiness" and now we have "Teleport 2 Me, Jamie" from his rock project WZRD. Walter Robot mine similar night terror territory — but on a smaller scale — that's typified by a beating heart bed and a chasm in the floor. --> watch "Teleport 2 Me, Jamie"

WATCH IT: Stupid Hype - Digital Series (Dugan O'Neal, director)

Director Dugan O'Neal colaborates (and listens) with Hart Of Dixie actor Wilson Bethel and his brother actor/musician Charlie Bethel on the brand new CW digital series Stupid Hype.

Set in the hip-hop heyday of the early '90s, Wilson stars as the titular character: A top breakdancer who learns to become a top rapper after a tragic accident prevents him from busting his move.

Sound ridiculous? You bet. And proud of it.

Three episodes are up now at cwtv.com/shows/stupid-hype. More are coming, as are some Stupid Hype music videos. 

WATCH IT: Titus Andronicus "In A Big City" (Isaac Ravishankara, dir.)

There's a timeless feel to Titus Andronicus frontman Patrick Stickles as he ambles through New Jersey to the banks of the Hudson. The lens distorts and pulls you a bit off-center and day turns to night turns to day. There's also a fantastic article by Amos Barshard at Grantland about the video and the 28 hour shoot that produced it.

"This being indie rock in 2012, the shoot is a stripped-down affair. There's a six-man crew and an inexpensive concept: Stickles stomping through his native Jersey, alternately backed by his band and confronted with human roadblocks, making his way toward his adopted semi-home of New York City. The theme: change.

Director Dugan O'Neal on Matt & Kim "Let's Go"

Dugan O'Neal, director: "Who doesn't love awkward family photos? It is a cultural pastime that has had long lasting power. It's something that almost everybody can relate to and understand. For the last several years, I have had a folder of awkward family photos on my computer that I continuously add to. I always knew somewhere in the midst of all that awkwardness was a really fun video.