JONATHAN GLAZER

Case study

Who is Jonathan Glazer?

Jonathan Glazer  was born March 1965 In London. He is an English filmmaker, whose directing work includes feature films, music videos and commercials. Jonathan has been one of the world’s leading commercials and music video directors for a number of years now.He first found fame for his ground breaking work on Radiohead’s ‘Street Spirit’ and Jamiroquai’s Multi-MTV award winning ‘Virtual Insanity’ video. Although he is heavily involved in the music video industry, some of his most recognised work are in his commercials. Such as 1999′s landmark Guinness ‘Surfer’.

His Music Videos

• Radiohead- Sweet Spirit•Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity•Richard Ashcroft – Song for lovers •Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Into My Arms•UNKLE – Rabbit In Your Headlights•Blur – Universal•Radiohead – Karma Police•Massive Attack- Karmacoma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrZTNhW44-o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JkIs37a2JE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsg1y2ZrPfA

His Work

Glazer takes a preference in directing music videos for Indi artists such as Radiohead. His style in my opinion is dark and abstract. In music videos especially he’s recognised for his dark lighting and ‘twisted’ storylines. He explores but also breaks many conventions of the Indi genre. His creativity in his storylines tend to create confusion and mystery, but it is certainly tailored to fans/audiences of the genre. His style of creating music videos also suit the way the artists are represented to their audiences.

His CommercialsKodak: "Husband To Be"Pretty Polly: "Linda 2"Mazda: "Shock ff the New"AT&T: "Chief Executive's Wife"Club Med: "City"AT&T: "Sales Director"Nike: "Frozen Moment" (1996)Nike: "Guerrilla Tennis"Caffery's: "New York"Nike: "Parklife" (1997)Guinness: "Surfer" (March 1999)Guinness: "Swim black" (May 1999)Levi Strauss: "Kung Fu" (January 2000)Stella Artois (January 2000):

"Last Orders""Devil's Island"

Volkswagen Polo: "Protection" (January 2000)Wrangler: "Whatever You Ride" (May 2000)Guinness: "Dreamer" (April 2001)Levi Strauss: "Odyssey" (January 2002)Stella Artois: "Ice Skating Priests" (April 2006)Sony BRAVIA: "Paint" (October 2006)Motorola Red (unreleased) (December 2006)Sony 3D TV (June 2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cDj1T-7KaA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC-wPteyl6U

His Work

Like his music videos there is a sinister aspect to Glazer’s commercials. Yet again he uses his abstract style to sell certain products. An example is his commercial for Levi jeans, it is not the conventional way we see clothing be advertised, it is very intense and the dark lighting creates a mysterious and deserted atmosphere. However because of this the commercial is very memorable and yet again leaves a question in the mind of the audience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY1T4YAzs14