Editor's Note: For our end of the year wrap up, we asked a few filmmakers to compile their own top music video lists. This list was compiled by music video producer Judy Craig.
When the lovely folks at IMVDb asked me to draft up a list of my favorite videos from 2014, my initial reaction was that they might as well have asked me to perform a solo dance routine at Queen Elizabeth's next birthday party - I panicked, thinking the only dance I knew was the Macarena. Though I love music videos, and I love the people who make them even more - it's not very often that I have an opportunity to share my opinions on them.
That being said, here is my Macarena list. There were a ton of great videos that came out this year, and I watched a lot of them. These, however, were the ones that stuck with me (listed in no particular order).
Foster The People "Best Friend"
I could go on and on about this video, but I won't. All I will say is that the Brewers are incredibly talented filmmakers, and this video is brilliant. Such a strong story, and every shot is gorgeous - everyone who worked on this killed it. Also Alex's animations are fantastic.
NO "Another Life"
It's never a fun thing to have your video buried due to creative differences with the artist. I'm glad this crazy video managed to claw its way out of that black hole. It's super weird and great. I hear this director knows a ton of facts about mammals.
Paul McCartney "Early Days"
2014 was the year that we found out that Paul did actually die in the sixties, and has been a hologram ever since. I prefer to remember them in their early days. I had a dream once that Paul McCartney was my biological dad.
Jungle "Time"
If I had a video, I'd put these guys in it too.
Naughty Boy "Home"
[Spoiler Alert] Remember the end of Homeward Bound, when Shadow falls in the mud pit by the train tracks and you don't know if he's gonna make it home? And Chance and Sassy go home on their own, and when they come over the ridge and see their family, the humans are like, where's Shadow?? And Chance and Sassy know that Shadow is probably still trapped in the mud pit, cold and alone. But still, Chance is thinking come on Shadow, and Sassy's like please Shadow just show up!! But he doesn't show up. And Peter's getting really sad, and says that Shadow is too old, and that he just couldn't make it. And they all start to give up hope and go inside to eat turkey...This video is exactly like the moment after that, when Shadow makes it home.
Garnier "Revenge of the Lol Cat"
***SEIZURE WARNING***
This video is that feeling you get when you realize it's 4am and you have spent the entire night googling pictures of guinea pigs wearing hats and watching the Akon episode of MTV Cribs.
Disclosure "Grab Her"
The quintessential strut-and-point.
Sister Cristina "Like A Virgin"
The first time I saw this video I kept rewinding it, thinking that I'd missed the joke part. There's no joke though. What I like about this video is simply that it exists, and that there is a nun out there covering Madonna jams, and making music videos. Go nuns!
Beyonce "7/11"
Beyoncé?? More like Goofyoncé! She is flawless.
Flying Lotus feat Kendrick Lamar "Never Catch Me"
I saved this one for last. There's a reason this video is on almost every list you will read this year. I don't want to say much about it, because I think that some things should just stay precious and not be dissected to death. But 2014 was not the best year for peace or justice, and we really needed a video like this. So thank you, Hiro.
***I'd like to give special shout outs to DJ Snake's "Turn Down For What" and Bo Burnham's "Repeat Stuff"....two videos that I loved, but left out because I had the amazing privilege to work on them. Hilarious directors, awesome crews, and the most fun I've ever had on set.
