Director Research Task

Director: Colin Tilley

• Often there is a climax in the story which suits a certain part of the song, this being emphasized through the large-scale special effects, such as explosives and fire which are used in a large number of his videos
•  There is a love story/ interest in many of them, especially songs by solo artists and these are narrated through intercuts between the artist performing and the ongoing story
•  Many of the scenarios portrayed are unrealistic (destruction of cities, abnormal powers) a considerable amount of his videos resembling something expected from an action movie
•       Due to his usual affiliations with songs based around the genre of pop, R’n’B and rap many of his videos contain the artist and others dancing, some of these suiting the song or artist, others influencing the story through the purposely dramatic and exaggerated choreography

• Camera:
• The location is often shown through an opening establish shot, ensuring appreciation of the large scale and dramatic effect it brings to the video
• Many also start with a close up of the artist or character so as to establish them as well
• Long shots are a major convention in his videos, allowing for the artist to be seen and for the location, especially the large buildings around to be showcased
• MCU or long shots are used majorly, especially when the artist is performing and/ or dancing
• The character faces the camera and appeals to the camera constantly
•  Close ups and MCU are mainly used during any love interest stories, the main focus being of the characters interaction
• At the beginning and end of the video there is an increase in establishing/ extreme wide shots of the location as well as pans that revolve from the character to the location, buildings etc. or the other way round

 

• Effects:
• The special effects followed the theme of an action film style, with quite a few explosions and a considerable amount of fire, attracting what would be a teenage genre, linking in with who the fans of the music would be
• The supernatural theme was evident in a number with characters appearing on screen or fading out as well as them having non-human powers, such as the ability to control the elements, giving the video an appealing edge to an audience
• Effects such as slow motion also allowed for the climax of a video to be prolonged, thus keeping an audience in suspense, especially as it fits in with the music, thus allowing him to emphasize the emotions he wants an audience to feel

• Mise-en-Scene 
• When performing the song, the locations (whilst being impressive and dynamic) do not distract from the singer, the factor of no other people in shot adding to this
• Contrasting colour schemes highlight the difference between the artist and the story being told, often dark and vivid colours being matched (such as orange and black or blue and grey) to then create a scene the eye is drawn to
• Dramatic effect is created through the repeated convention of having a lone figure’s silhouette outlined on a rooftop, giving the artist an either vulnerable or powerful presence depending on the angle and lighting of the shot
• ·        The tall buildings and landscapes around the artist can also add a sense of threat, especially if the scene is presented as a situation that should be feared etc. thus the location fitting in well with the theme of the song creating a more complete and well received video
• ·        The dark streets often used also link in well with the theme of a song however in the more summery and upbeat tracks, brighter colours are used, such as that of a beach with clear blue skies above, engaging in with the positive feel an artist would want the audience to gain from the music
• The camera is mainly clearly focused on the artist and any characters in the video meaning that for the scenery or location to be appreciated it must be appealing to the eye as well
• The costumes are also quite dark or bright depending on the theme of the song, the main artist he works with being Chris Brown often wears very action film type costumes, those of full black outfits whilst still adding modern, fashionable additions so as to appeal to a range of audiences, thus making a statement about the artist’s image as well
• Many of the videos are shot at night, meaning lights have to be focused on the artist so as to make them visible however this works well, ensuring that the audiences attention is almost solely on them

List of songs Colin Tilley has directed:

Zendaya

• "Replay"

Austin Mahone

• "What About Love"

Sean Kingston

• "Beat It" featuring Chris Brown and Wiz Khalifa

Mindless Behavior

• "All Around the World"

Tulisa:

• "Live It Up" featuring Tyga

Conor Maynard:

• "Turn Around" featuring Ne-Yo

Justin Bieber:

• "Never Let You Go"

• "U Smile"

• "Fa La La" featuring Boyz II Men

Nicki Minaj

• "I Am Your Leader" featuring Cam'ron & Rick Ross

• "The Boys" featuring Cassie

• "Freedom"

Kelly Rowland

• "Kisses Down Low"

Rick Ross:

• "Bag of Money" featuring Wale, T-Pain & Meek Mill

Tyga:

• "I'm Gone" featuring Big Sean

• "Faded" featuring Lil Wayne

• "I'm on It" featuring Lil Wayne
• "Dope" featuring Rick Ross
• "My Glory"
• "Molly" featuring Wiz Khalifa, Mally Mall & Cedric Gervais
• "For the Road" featuring Chris Brown

J. Cole:

• "Nobody's Perfect" featuring Missy Elliott

50 Cent:

• "Girls Go Wild" featuring Jeremih

DJ Khaled:

• "Take It to the Head" featuring Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & lil Wayne

French Montana:

• "Shot Caller" (Remix) featuring Diddy, Rick Ross and Charlie Rock

David Guetta:

• "I Can Only Imagine (ft. Chris Brown and Lil Wayne)

• "Just One Last Time"

Chris Brown:

• "Next 2 You" featuring Justin Bieber

• "She Ain't You"

• "Look at Me Now" featuring Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes

• "Yeah 3x"

• "No Bullshit"

• "Deuces" featuring Tyga & Kevin McCall

• "Strip" featuring Kevin McCall

• "Matrix"

• "Don't Wake Me Up"

• "Don't Judge Me"

Mary J. Blige:

• "Someone to Love Me (Naked)" featuring Lil' Wayne & Diddy

• "Why" featuring Rick Ross

Young Jeezy:

• "Ballin'" featuring Lil Wayne

Keri Hilson:

• "One Night Stand" featuring Chris Brown

• "Lose Control" featuring Nelly

Diddy – Dirty Money:

• "Ass on the Floor" featuring Swizz Beatz

• "Yesterday" featuring Chris Brown

• "Your Love" featuring Rick Ross & Trey Songz

• "Looking for Love" featuring Usher

New Boyz:

• "Better with the Lights Off" featuring Chris Brown

Ciara:

• "Speechless"

Melanie Fiona:

• "Gone and Never Coming Back"
• "4AM"

Chipmunk:

• "In the Air" featuring Keri Hilson

• "Champion" featuring Chris Brown

Jeremih:

• "Down on Me" featuring 50 Cent

Lil Wayne:

• "John" featuring Rick Ross

• "No Worries" featuring Detail

JLS:

• "She Makes Me Wanna" featuring Dev

Soulja Boy:

• "Mean Mug" featuring 50 Cent

Wiz Khalifa:

• "No Sleep"

FreeSol:

• "Fascinated" featuring Justin Timberlake

Katy B:

• "Witches Brew"

Jason Derülo:

• "It Girl"

• "Breathing"

• "The Other Side"

Lil B:

• "We Can Go Down"

Red Café:

• Fly Together feat. Ryan Leslie & Rick Ross

Fat Joe:

• Another Round feat. Chris Brown

Dappy:

• Rockstar feat. Brian May
• Good Intentions

Bow Wow (rapper):

• "Ain't Thinkin' 'Bout You" featuring Chris Brown

Six D

• "Best Damn Night"

Labrinth:

• Last Time

Hugo:

• "99 Problems"

Sean Garrett:

• "In Da Box" featuring Rick Ross

Tank:

• "Sex Music"

Lloyd:

• "Let's Get It In" featuring 50 Cent

Jawan Harris:

• "Another Planet" featuring Chris Brown

Shontelle:

• Perfect Nightmare

Jessie and The Toy Boys

• "Let's Get Naughty

'Birdman:

• "Dark Shades" featuring Lil Wayne & Mack Maine