Lara M. Schwartz
Encyclopedia
Lara M. Schwartz a music video producer and authority on the art of making music videos, is the author of Making Music Videos: Everything You Need to Know From the Best in the Business http://www.randomhouse.com/author/results.pperl?authorid=100145 The book was published by Random House
, and the foreword of the book was written by famed Director Brett Ratner
http://www.amazon.com/s?search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Lara%20M.%20Schwartz&page=1. Lara has produced or directed over 100 music videos, commercials, feature films, short films, documentaries, live broadcasts, and DVDs. She has worked with artists such as Mary J. Blige
, Whitney Houston
, Tom Jones
, Harry Connick Jr., Aaliyah
, Missy Elliott
, Salt-n-Pepa
, Branford Marsalis
, Boyz II Men
, Jermaine DuPri
, Al Jarreau
, P. Diddy, The Notorious B.I.G., K-Ci & Jojo, Teddy Pendergrass
, and Smokey Robinson
among many others. Several music videos that Lara has either produced or directed have been nominated for music video awards.
asked her to establish and oversee his production company. Subsequently, Lara started Bad Boy Films in 1994 and, at that time, was Executive Producer of several of Bad Boy Records
music videos. In 1995, Lara opened her own production company, 361 Degrees, and began directing as well as producing music videos. Soon thereafter, she expanded into commercials, short films, documentaries, live broadcasts, and DVDs.
Lara taught the class "Music Video Production" at the University of California, Los Angeles
, giving students a working familiarity with the process of making music videos from both the business perspective and the creative perspective. In December 2003, she traveled to Cuba as part of a UCLA Extension program filmmakers' delegation.
in Northhampton, Massachusetts, and studied jazz and rock-n-roll at the Berklee College of Music
in Boston. She currently travels between New York City
and Silver Spring, MD, where she lives with her husband and son.
Won the Filmmakers Trophy Award at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival
& earned a Special Recognition for the Screenplay
Released by October Films
Directed by Jim McKay
Starring Lili Taylor
Short Documentary and Director Commentary Production
Released by Fox Searchlight
Directed by Philip Kaufman
Starring Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix, Michael Caine
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
, and the foreword of the book was written by famed Director Brett Ratner
Brett Ratner
Brett Ratner is an American film director, film producer and music video director. He is best known for directing the Rush Hour film series, The Family Man, Red Dragon, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Tower Heist. He was also a producer on the Fox drama series, Prison Break.- Early life :Ratner was...
http://www.amazon.com/s?search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Lara%20M.%20Schwartz&page=1. Lara has produced or directed over 100 music videos, commercials, feature films, short films, documentaries, live broadcasts, and DVDs. She has worked with artists such as Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
, Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, Tom Jones
Tom Jones (singer)
Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
, Harry Connick Jr., Aaliyah
Aaliyah
Aaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...
, Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
, Salt-n-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, that was formed in 1985. The group, consisting of Cheryl "Salt" Renee James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and Deidra "DJ Spinderella" Roper, was one of the first all-female rap crews....
, Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born...
, Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
, Jermaine DuPri
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
, Al Jarreau
Al Jarreau
Alwin "Al" Lopez Jarreau is a seven-time Grammy Award winning jazz singer.- Background :Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, the fifth of six children. His web site refers to Reservoir, Inc., the name of the street where he lived. His father was a Seventh-Day Adventist Church minister and singer, and...
, P. Diddy, The Notorious B.I.G., K-Ci & Jojo, Teddy Pendergrass
Teddy Pendergrass
Theodore DeReese "Teddy" Pendergrass was an American R&B/soul singer and songwriter. Pendergrass first rose to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in the 1970s before a successful solo career at the end of the decade...
, and Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
among many others. Several music videos that Lara has either produced or directed have been nominated for music video awards.
Career
After learning the music video business as a freelance production manager and producer in the early 1990s, Sean "P. Diddy" CombsSean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
asked her to establish and oversee his production company. Subsequently, Lara started Bad Boy Films in 1994 and, at that time, was Executive Producer of several of Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
music videos. In 1995, Lara opened her own production company, 361 Degrees, and began directing as well as producing music videos. Soon thereafter, she expanded into commercials, short films, documentaries, live broadcasts, and DVDs.
Lara taught the class "Music Video Production" at the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
, giving students a working familiarity with the process of making music videos from both the business perspective and the creative perspective. In December 2003, she traveled to Cuba as part of a UCLA Extension program filmmakers' delegation.
Personal life
Lara received her B.A. from Smith CollegeSmith College
Smith College is a private, independent women's liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is the largest member of the Seven Sisters...
in Northhampton, Massachusetts, and studied jazz and rock-n-roll at the Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in Boston. She currently travels between New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Silver Spring, MD, where she lives with her husband and son.
As producer and/or executive producer
- AaliyahAaliyahAaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...
“Hot Like Fire” - AaliyahAaliyahAaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...
“The One I Gave My Heart To” - Anthony Hamilton "Nobody Else"
- BOB Clique "Hostage"
- Boogie Monsters "Beginning of the End"
- Bo-Shed “Come On In”
- Bounty Killer “Deadly Zone”
- Boyz II MenBoyz II MenBoyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
"On Bended Knee" - Branford MarsalisBranford MarsalisBranford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born...
"No Pain, No Gain" - Craig MackCraig MackCraig Mack is an American Grammy nominated rapper, who gained fame on Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Entertainment record label in the 1990s. Although his first single was released under the name MC EZ in 1988, he is best known for his 1994 hit single "Flava In Ya Ear", which was released under his real name...
"Making Moves With Puff" - Craig Mack "Get Down"
- Da Brat & Jermaine DuPri "Funkdafied"
- Damage "Anything"
- Da Ruffness "1 N 1"
- Day Ta Day "U Represent"
- DeVante "Gin and Juice"
- Doug E. Fresh & Little Vicious "Freaks"
- Doug E. FreshDoug E. FreshDouglas E. Davis , better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box...
"It's Ii-ght" - Dub War "Strike It"
- Faith; "You Used To Love Me"
- Front Line Assembly; "Millennium"
- Funkdoobiest "XXX Funk"
- Harry Connick Jr. “Let’s Just Kiss”
- Hoez With Attitude (HWA) EPK
- Jaz B. Lat'n "Set It Off"
- Johnny Marrs "Hubba Bubba Baby"
- Junior Mafia "Player's Anthem"*
- (*Nominated for Best New Artist Clip; 1995 Billboard Music Video Awards)
- Junior M.A.F.I.A. "Get Money"
- Junior M.A.F.I.A. "I Need You Tonight"
- Kali Ranks "Kill Dem All"
- K-Ci & Jojo “All My Life”**
- (**Nominated for Best R&B Video; 1998 MTV Music Video Awards)
- Kedar Mgmt. "At The Apollo"
- Keith SweatKeith SweatKeith Sweat is an American R&B/soul, singer-songwriter, record producer, radio personality and a major contributor to the new jack swing era.-Music career:...
"When I Give My Love" - Keesha “You Got Me Where You Want”
- Kenny Lattimore & Heather Headley “Love Will Find A Way”
- Kino "Game Recognize Game"
- Little Kim "Crush On You"
- Little Kim "My Time To Shine"
- Little Kim (featuring Da Brat, Left Eye, Missy Elliott, & Angie Martinez)"Ladies Night"
- Little Vicious "The Glock"
- Lost Boyz “What’s Wrong...”
- Mary J. BligeMary J. BligeMary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
"Be Happy” - Messiah "I Feel Love"
- Mic Geronomo “Wherever You Are”
- Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
"History II" Home Video Titles - Napalm Death "A Plague Rages”
- NKRU "Computer Love"
- Nonchalant "5 O'Clock"
- Nonchalant “Take It There”
- Notorious B.I.G. "Juicy"
- Notorious B.I.G. "One More Chance"***
- (***Nominated for Best Rap Video; 1995 Billboard Music Video Awards)
- NTC "Try My Love"
- 112112 (band)112 is an American R&B quartet from Atlanta, Georgia. Formerly artists on Diddy's Bad Boy Records, the group signed to the Def Soul roster in 2002. They had great success in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits such as "Only You", "Anywhere" and "Peaches & Cream"...
"Only You" - Once Blue "Save Me"
- Outta Control "Sinful Wishes"
- Ricardo Da Force "Why"
- Ryan Reynolds "Do I Ever Cross You’re Mind”
- Sable "For Old Times Sake"
- Salt-n-PepaSalt-N-PepaSalt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, that was formed in 1985. The group, consisting of Cheryl "Salt" Renee James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and Deidra "DJ Spinderella" Roper, was one of the first all-female rap crews....
"Champagne" - Section 8 "No Love"
- Sister Machine Gun "Hole In The Ground" and "Burn"
- Sway “When Suzanna Cries”
- Tom Jones “Sex Bomb”
- Total "Can't You See"
- Total "Can't You See" Re-mix
- 12 Gauge "Dunkie Butt"
- Vesta “Somebody For Me”
- Whitney HoustonWhitney HoustonWhitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
"I Believe In You & Me"
As director
- Elevator Suite “Backaround”
- Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
“Sleepin’ In” - Keesha “You Got Me Where You Want”
- Kenny Lattimore & Heather Headley “Love Will Find A Way”
- Nonchalant “Take It There”
- K-Ci & Jojo “All My Life”*
- (*Nominated for Best R&B Video; 1998 MTV Music Video Awards)
- Vesta “Somebody For Me”
- Peter Andre “Kiss The Girl”
- Amari “Callin’”
- Bounty Killer “Deadly Zone”
- Lost Boyz “What’s Wrong With The Way I Live”
- Teddy Pendergrass "Give It To Me"
- Tasha Holiday "Just The Way You Like It"
- Tracey Lee "The Theme"
- Sybil "Still A Thrill"
- Day Ta Day "Smile"
- No Coast “City Streets”
As production manager
- YZ "The Ghetto's Been Good To Me"
- Maestro & Showbiz "Fine Tune Da Mic"
- Dirt Nation "Khadejah"
As camera operator
- Al Jarreau & Kathleen Battle; TV spot
- Deborah Harry Interview
- Michael Speaks Performance
Traditional commercials
- ABC Daytime Promo
- Faith Evans Promo
- Mary J. Blige WTLC Radio Advertisement
As production manager
- HyundaiHyundaiHyundai ) is a global conglomerate company, part of the Korean chaebol, that was founded in South Korea by one of the most famous businessmen in Korean history: Chung Ju-yung...
Car Advertisement - Stouffer'sStouffer'sStouffer's is a brand of frozen prepared foods available in the United States and Canada. Stouffer's is known for such popular fare as meatloaf, salisbury steak, lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and ravioli. It also produces a line of reduced-fat products under the banner Lean...
Advertisement - Donna KaranDonna KaranDonna Karan is an American fashion designer and the creator of the Donna Karan New York and DKNY clothing labels.-Early life:...
(DKNY) Advertisement - Kobecker Co. Shoe Advertisement
- Gap Advertisement
Live broadcasts
- Women in Hollywood Television Awards Show
- Democratic National ConventionDemocratic National ConventionThe Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
2004 - Greg Godek Satellite Broadcast
- Money MagazineMoney MagazineMoney Magazine is a business news and financial programme that is broadcast on Sundays at 7:00pm in Hong Kong by television channel TVB Pearl.-Producers and reporters:...
Satellite Broadcast - Eckhard Corporate Satellite Broadcast
Documentaries
- Salt N’Pepa EPK/Documentary I
- Salt N’ Pepa EPK/Documentary II
- Ahakhav Tribal Preserve Youth Cultural Festival
As production manager
Girls Town**Won the Filmmakers Trophy Award at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
& earned a Special Recognition for the Screenplay
Released by October Films
Directed by Jim McKay
Starring Lili Taylor
As executive producer
QuillsShort Documentary and Director Commentary Production
Released by Fox Searchlight
Directed by Philip Kaufman
Starring Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix, Michael Caine