Spike Jonze

For this project, I have been researching other music video directors. Spike Jonze is a well known director for both film and music videos, but mainly for music. He has made videos for artists like DaftPunk, Beasty Boys, Fatboy Slim and Kanye West, showing his diversity in the field. 


When he graduated from high school and began working as an editorial assistant at 'Freestylin' magazine. In 1991 he helped found the magazine 'Dirt' which was a spin off from 'Sassy'.  


His first music video was to film footage of some people skateboarding for 'Sonic Youths' "100". The video that really made an impact for Jonze was for "Sabotage" by the Beastie Boys, which was based on the 1970's cop shows. The video itself won 4 MTV Music Awards, including 'Best Director'. Following his success he went on to design a innovative  and interesting video for Weezer's "Buddy Holly" which is a song by an Alternative band.


He continued to work on both music videos and started on adverts, he made videos for the likes of:

• R.E.M.
• The Breeders
• Puff Daddy
• The Chemical Brothers
• Bjork

And adverts for:

• Nike
• Sprite
• Nissan
• Coca-cola

His enjoyment of his work also introduced him to acting, as he was in a few TV spots and is the leader of the dance group in Fatboy Slim's 'Praise You' music video, which he also directed. 


He then moved on to film, where he directed the black comedy, 'Three Kings' which he also had a cameo in it. He later went on to direct 'Being John Malkovich' for his efforts he received an Academy Award nomination for best director. 


In 1999 Jonze married Sofia Coppola, a former actress and director - daughter of the acclaimed Francis Ford Coppola.