Editor's Note: For our end of the year wrap up, we asked a few music video directors, directors of photography, and fans to compile their own top 10 lists. This list was compiled by music video director of photography Evan Prosofsky.
It was really hard for me to write a little summary for this... I have to admit, I feel frustrated even looking at this list! Yes - music videos continue to be an inspiring place for directors to carve out a vision. But, as a cinematographer, having worked on music videos from the inside continually for the last few years, I very rarely see a musician and a director truly achieve some sort of visual symbiosis. Expectations are always high and time and money are always inconsequential. I know I'm not reinventing the wheel here with this notion, so I'm sorry about that :(, but it'd kill me not to mention it anyway. But the point is - these clips represent to me the exception; that rare, magical few minutes of ecstatic truth that defies my expectations and makes me feel a crazy combination of inspiration and unworthiness.
Although I haven't had the privilege to hear all the war stories, some I have and it's just insane these videos turned out as well as they did. These directors have made incredible works of art up against pretty inconceivable odds. If I could have a wish for 2014, it would be that musicians continue to give directors more creative freedom like this, and budgets to match. Music videos will only continue to be a creative forum for filmmakers if we're given the opportunity! Anyhow - I'm incredibly humbled to call these guys and gals my contemporaries, and can't wait to see what they get up to next year :) Thanks for reading! This list is in no particular order.
