Fun Fact
Dirt Magazine: Before directing legendary music videos, Spike Jonze co-founded Dirt in 1992. This chaotic, gritty skate magazine was the perfect playground for developing his signature, playful visual style.
Chapter 1
Michel Gondry's playful illusions
Chapter 2
Spike Jonze's chaotic charm
Chapter 3
Chris Cunningham's biomechanical nightmares
Chapter 4
Mark Romanek and Anton Corbijn's cinematic atmospheres
YOUR GOAL
Master of The music video visionaries
Ch 2 · Spike Jonze's chaotic charm
mankai Spike Jonze
Eight hundred dollars and a boombox to play, We're dancing guerrilla outside the Bruin today.
streetspirit Spike Jonze used chaotic charm to drop Weezer onto a retro sitcom stage.
Fun Fact
Weapon of Choice: Actor Christopher Walken was actually a trained musical theater dancer, which is why he performed his own incredible, gravity-defying choreography in this Spike Jonze masterpiece.
Glossary
16mm film (noun)
A classic analog movie film format that is smaller and cheaper than standard 35mm film, known for its warm, slightly grainy texture. Director Spike Jonze famously used it to shoot the Beastie Boys' 'Sabotage' music video, giving their chaotic 1970s cop show parody its authentically gritty, low-budget look.
A classic analog movie film format that is smaller and cheaper than standard 35mm film, known for its warm, slightly grainy texture. Director Spike Jonze famously used it to shoot the Beastie Boys' 'Sabotage' music video, giving their chaotic 1970s cop show parody its authentically gritty, low-budget look.
Quiz
Where did Spike Jonze film the chaotic, faux-cop show chase scenes for the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage"?
mankai Jonze formed a fictional community dance troupe to perform a bizarre routine in public.
Fun Fact
Secret identity: Director Spike Jonze used the fake name "Richard Koufey" to lead the fictional dance troupe in the award-winning "Praise You" music video.
Glossary
torrance community dance group (noun)
A fictional, hilariously awkward dance troupe created by director Spike Jonze for a famous 1999 music video. Performing goofy, guerrilla-style choreography in front of real, confused onlookers, they proved that a great sense of humor can turn a low-budget prank into award-winning art.
A fictional, hilariously awkward dance troupe created by director Spike Jonze for a famous 1999 music video. Performing goofy, guerrilla-style choreography in front of real, confused onlookers, they proved that a great sense of humor can turn a low-budget prank into award-winning art.
Quiz
What fictional dance group did Spike Jonze create and lead for Fatboy Slim's "Praise You" video?
mankai Jonze turned a quiet hotel lobby into a gravity-defying dance floor for electronic musician Fatboy Slim.
Glossary
music video (noun)
A short film integrating a song and imagery for promotional or artistic purposes. In 1994, Spike Jonze directed the Beastie Boys' acclaimed 'Sabotage' music video, which parodied seventies police shows.
A short film integrating a song and imagery for promotional or artistic purposes. In 1994, Spike Jonze directed the Beastie Boys' acclaimed 'Sabotage' music video, which parodied seventies police shows.