Mark Romanek
Encyclopedia
Mark Romanek is an American
filmmaker
, whose directing work includes feature films
, music videos
and commercials
.
He wrote and directed the critically acclaimed 2002 film One Hour Photo
starring Robin Williams
. His most notable music videos include "Hurt" (Johnny Cash
), "Closer" (Nine Inch Nails
), "Criminal" (Fiona Apple
), and "Scream
" (Michael
& Janet Jackson
). His music videos have garnered 19 MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Direction
for Jay-Z
's "99 Problems
" in 2004
. He has also won three Grammy Awards for Best Short Form Music Video
- more than any other director.
's 2001: A Space Odyssey
in 1968, at the age of nine, and again during its re-release in 1973, with inspiring him to become a film director. Romanek experimented with Super 8
and 16mm film as a teenager while attending New Trier East
, a progressive public high school north of Chicago that offered a four-year film production and theory program. At New Trier, Romanek studied first with Kevin Dole, a local filmmaker who was already creating a form of music video on his own in the mid-1970s; and then with Peter Kingsbury, a filmmaker who had studied with experimentalists Owen Land, John Luther Schofill and Stan Brakhage
at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Both teachers had studied at SAIC and they exposed students to works by significant figures of the American avant-garde cinema such as Maya Deren
, Kenneth Anger
, Stan Brakhage, Owen Land and Paul Sharits
. Romanek subsequently attended Ithaca College
in Ithaca, New York
, and graduated from its Roy H. Park
School of Communications with a degree in cinema and photography.
Romanek served as 2nd assistant director
for Brian De Palma
on Home Movies
, an autobiographical film De Palma conceived as an exercise for his students at Sarah Lawrence College
(having returned to his alma mater after the shooting of The Fury as an instructor of film production). On set, Romanek met Keith Gordon
, playing De Palma's alter ego.
Gordon remembers Romanek's entrance into film production:
He released his first film, Static
, in 1986. It was co-written with and starred Keith Gordon
as a man who claimed he had invented a television
set capable of showing a live picture of Heaven
; Amanda Plummer also starred. The film achieved something of a cult following in London
and led to his first job at the helm of a music video for the British New Wave
group, The The
(who featured on the soundtrack for Static), in 1986.
's Propaganda Films
. His subsequent work has come to be regarded as among the best of the medium. He has worked with many top-selling recording artists from different genres of popular music, and his videos have been given credit for making stars out of some.
One of his notable videos was for the Nine Inch Nails
song "Closer". Its critical acclaim was only matched by its critical controversy, many accusing the video as being disturbing, demonic and demented (a big reason why the video was so popular among fans). Romanek would again work with Nine Inch Nails
for the song "The Perfect Drug
".
Romanek was given his first Grammy Award
for Best Short Form Video
in 1996 for "Scream
", a collaboration between the pop superstar siblings Michael Jackson
and Janet Jackson
. The video, which cost $7 million to make, is cited as one of the most expensive ever made. Romanek won his second Grammy two years later, again with Janet Jackson, for her video "Got 'Til It's Gone
".
In 2002, Romanek shot a video for Audioslave
's "Cochise
" in which the band performed in the midst of a prolonged pyrotechnic display of the intensity usually seen only during fireworks
finales. The explosions were so loud during the night shoot in the San Fernando Valley
that local police and fire departments received hundreds of calls from residents who feared that a terrorist attack was underway.
Romanek's 2002 music video for country music icon Johnny Cash
's cover of Nine Inch Nails
' "Hurt" has been hailed by many critics and fans alike as the most personal and moving music video ever made. The song expresses self-loathing and the futility of worldly accomplishments; this content took on a new poignancy when sung by Cash near the end of his life, quietly performing in his memorabilia-filled home, with shots of the flood-ravaged "House of Cash" museum and archival shots of a younger, cockier Cash edited in. The video was nominated for seven VMAs, winning one for cinematography, and also won Romanek his third Grammy.
Other Romanek videos that have received accolades and awards include the VMA winners "Free Your Mind" (En Vogue
), "Are You Gonna Go My Way
" (Lenny Kravitz
), "Rain
" (Madonna
), "Devil's Haircut
" (Beck
), "99 Problems
" (Jay-Z
) and "Criminal" (Fiona Apple
). Many others have also received nominations. In 1997, Romanek received the VMA Video Vanguard Award for his contribution to the medium. Two of Romanek's music videos, "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails, and "Bedtime Story" by Madonna, have been made part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art
in New York City
.
, with Robin Williams
in the lead role as a department store photo processor who becomes obsessed with a family through their snapshots. One Hour Photo proved to be only a moderate hit, but still established Romanek as a respected movie director. Rumors spread that the studio, Fox Searchlight, had forced changes on Romanek that seriously altered the film from how he had intended it. He has disclaimed this story, however, stating that there never was a "director's cut" of One Hour Photo and that studio did not exercise any editorial control. In 2005, Romanek was scheduled to direct Tom Hanks
in a film adaptation of the book, A Cold Case
but the project languished in development hell
. In December 2005, it was announced that he would direct A Million Little Pieces
, the film adaptation of the book of the same name but due to events regarding the authenticity of the book's content, it has also become a subject of speculation as to whether the film will indeed be made or not.
On February 8, 2007 he signed on to direct The Wolfman, but dropped out. The film was directed by Joe Johnston
.
Romanek's third feature was the 2010 British dystopian drama Never Let Me Go
starring Carey Mulligan
, Andrew Garfield
and Keira Knightley
. It was produced by Alex Garland
, who also wrote the screenplay.
He will direct the horror comedy The Voices with Ben Stiller
in the lead role.
As of October 2011, Romanek is frontrunner to direct The Lost Symbol
, based on the Dan Brown
bestseller.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
filmmaker
Filmmaking
Filmmaking is the process of making a film, from an initial story, idea, or commission, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, directing, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a theatrical release or television program...
, whose directing work includes feature films
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
, music videos
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
and commercials
Television advertisement
A television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
.
He wrote and directed the critically acclaimed 2002 film One Hour Photo
One Hour Photo
One Hour Photo is a 2002 American psychological thriller written and directed by Mark Romanek and starring Robin Williams. Fox Searchlight Pictures distributed the film in the United States. One Hour Photo also starred Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan, Gary Cole, and Eriq La Salle. Williams won a...
starring Robin Williams
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
. His most notable music videos include "Hurt" (Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
), "Closer" (Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
), "Criminal" (Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple McAfee Maggart is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Apple met international acclaim for her 1996 debut album, Tidal, which was a critical and commercial success...
), and "Scream
Scream/Childhood
"Scream"/"Childhood" is the lead single from Michael Jackson's ninth studio album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I where "Scream" is the first song and "Childhood" is the tenth song on the second disc of the album HIStory Continues. The A-side, "Scream", is a duet with his younger sister...
" (Michael
Michael Jackson
Michael 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...
& Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
). His music videos have garnered 19 MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Direction
MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction
The following is a list of MTV Video Music Awards winners for Best Direction in a Video. In 2007, the award was briefly renamed Best Director, but it returned to its original name for the 2008 awards....
for Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
's "99 Problems
99 Problems
"99 Problems" is the third single released by American rapper Jay-Z in 2004 from The Black Album. Throughout the song Jay-Z tells a story about dealing with a racist cop who wants to illegally search his car, dealing with rap critics, and dealing with an aggressor...
" in 2004
2004 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2004 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on August 29, 2004, honoring the best music videos from the previous year. The show took place at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida, and, unlike in previous years, had no host.-Video of the Year:...
. He has also won three Grammy Awards for Best Short Form Music Video
Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video
The Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to performers, directors, and producers of quality short form music videos...
- more than any other director.
Background
Romanek was born in Chicago, Illinois. He credits seeing Stanley KubrickStanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick was an American film director, writer, producer, and photographer who lived in England during most of the last four decades of his career...
's 2001: A Space Odyssey
2001: A Space Odyssey (film)
2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 epic science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick, and co-written by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, partially inspired by Clarke's short story The Sentinel...
in 1968, at the age of nine, and again during its re-release in 1973, with inspiring him to become a film director. Romanek experimented with Super 8
Super 8 mm film
Super 8 mm film is a motion picture film format released in 1965 by Eastman Kodak as an improvement of the older "Double" or "Regular" 8 mm home movie format....
and 16mm film as a teenager while attending New Trier East
New Trier High School
New Trier High School is a public four-year high school , with its major campus located in Winnetka, Illinois, USA, and a second campus in Northfield, Illinois, with freshman classes and district administration...
, a progressive public high school north of Chicago that offered a four-year film production and theory program. At New Trier, Romanek studied first with Kevin Dole, a local filmmaker who was already creating a form of music video on his own in the mid-1970s; and then with Peter Kingsbury, a filmmaker who had studied with experimentalists Owen Land, John Luther Schofill and Stan Brakhage
Stan Brakhage
James Stanley Brakhage , better known as Stan Brakhage, was an American non-narrative filmmaker who is considered to be one of the most important figures in 20th century experimental film....
at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Both teachers had studied at SAIC and they exposed students to works by significant figures of the American avant-garde cinema such as Maya Deren
Maya Deren
Maya Deren , born Eleanora Derenkowsky, was an American avant-garde filmmaker and film theorist of the 1940s and 1950s...
, Kenneth Anger
Kenneth Anger
Kenneth Anger is an American underground experimental filmmaker, occasional actor and author...
, Stan Brakhage, Owen Land and Paul Sharits
Paul Sharits
Paul Jeffrey Sharits Paul Sharits was a visual artist, best known for his work in "experimental" or avant-garde filmmaking, particularly what became known as the Structural film movement, along with artists such as Tony Conrad, Hollis Frampton, and Michael Snow.His film work primarily focused on...
. Romanek subsequently attended Ithaca College
Ithaca College
Ithaca College is a private college located on the South Hill of Ithaca, New York. The school was founded by William Egbert in 1892 as a conservatory of music. The college has a strong liberal arts core, but also offers several pre-professional programs and some graduate programs. The college is...
in Ithaca, New York
Ithaca, New York
The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...
, and graduated from its Roy H. Park
Roy H. Park
Roy Hampton Park was an American media executive and entrepreneur. -Biography:Park was born in Dobson, North Carolina, the son of a tenant farmer...
School of Communications with a degree in cinema and photography.
Romanek served as 2nd assistant director
Assistant director
The role of an Assistant director include tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, maintaining order on the set. They also have to take care of health and safety of the crew...
for Brian De Palma
Brian De Palma
Brian Russell De Palma is an American film director and writer. In a career spanning over 40 years, he is probably best known for his suspense and crime thriller films, including such box office successes as the horror film Carrie, Dressed to Kill, Scarface, The Untouchables, and Mission:...
on Home Movies
Home Movies (film)
Home Movies is a 1980 independent film directed by Brian De Palma and starring Kirk Douglas, Nancy Allen, Vincent Gardenia, Keith Gordon, Theresa Saldana, and Gerrit Graham.-Plot:...
, an autobiographical film De Palma conceived as an exercise for his students at Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college in the United States, and a leader in progressive education since its founding in 1926. Located just 30 minutes north of Midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County, New York, in the city of Yonkers, this coeducational college offers...
(having returned to his alma mater after the shooting of The Fury as an instructor of film production). On set, Romanek met Keith Gordon
Keith Gordon
Keith Gordon is an American actor and film director.-Life and career:Gordon was born in New York City, the son of Barbara, an actress, and Mark Gordon, an actor and stage director. He grew up in an atheist Jewish family and was inspired to become an actor at the age of twelve, after seeing James...
, playing De Palma's alter ego.
Gordon remembers Romanek's entrance into film production:
He released his first film, Static
Static (film)
Static is an American comedy-drama film directed by Mark Romanek. Static stars Keith Gordon, Amanda Plummer, and Bob Gunton, and was released in 1986 by NFI Productions....
, in 1986. It was co-written with and starred Keith Gordon
Keith Gordon
Keith Gordon is an American actor and film director.-Life and career:Gordon was born in New York City, the son of Barbara, an actress, and Mark Gordon, an actor and stage director. He grew up in an atheist Jewish family and was inspired to become an actor at the age of twelve, after seeing James...
as a man who claimed he had invented a television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
set capable of showing a live picture of Heaven
Heaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
; Amanda Plummer also starred. The film achieved something of a cult following in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and led to his first job at the helm of a music video for the British New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
group, The The
The The
The The are an English musical and multimedia group that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter Matt Johnson being the only constant band member.-Early years :...
(who featured on the soundtrack for Static), in 1986.
Music video career
After a few years writing screenplays, Romanek decided to focus on music videos and signed on with Satellite Films, a boutique division of Steve GolinSteve Golin
Steve Golin is the founder and CEO of Anonymous Content LLP, a multimedia development, production and talent management company and co-founder and former CEO of Propaganda Films.-Propaganda Films:...
's Propaganda Films
Propaganda Films
Propaganda Films was a prolific and successful music video and film production company founded in 1983 by producers Steve Golin and Sigurjón Sighvatsson and directors David Fincher, Nigel Dick, Greg Gold and Dominic Sena...
. His subsequent work has come to be regarded as among the best of the medium. He has worked with many top-selling recording artists from different genres of popular music, and his videos have been given credit for making stars out of some.
One of his notable videos was for the Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
song "Closer". Its critical acclaim was only matched by its critical controversy, many accusing the video as being disturbing, demonic and demented (a big reason why the video was so popular among fans). Romanek would again work with Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
for the song "The Perfect Drug
The Perfect Drug
"The Perfect Drug" or ' is a song by Nine Inch Nails. It was written for the David Lynch film Lost Highway and originally appeared on the Lost Highway soundtrack and as a single from the score in 1997...
".
Romanek was given his first Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Short Form Video
Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video
The Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to performers, directors, and producers of quality short form music videos...
in 1996 for "Scream
Scream/Childhood
"Scream"/"Childhood" is the lead single from Michael Jackson's ninth studio album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I where "Scream" is the first song and "Childhood" is the tenth song on the second disc of the album HIStory Continues. The A-side, "Scream", is a duet with his younger sister...
", a collaboration between the pop superstar siblings Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael 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...
and Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
. The video, which cost $7 million to make, is cited as one of the most expensive ever made. Romanek won his second Grammy two years later, again with Janet Jackson, for her video "Got 'Til It's Gone
Got 'Til It's Gone
"Got 'til It's Gone" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson, featuring American rapper Q-Tip and Canadian singer Joni Mitchell. It was released as the lead single from Jackson's sixth studio album, The Velvet Rope .-Song information:...
".
In 2002, Romanek shot a video for Audioslave
Audioslave
Audioslave was an American rock supergroup that formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001. It consisted of former Soundgarden lead singer/rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell and the former instrumentalists of Rage Against the Machine: Tom Morello , Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk...
's "Cochise
Cochise (song)
"Cochise" is the first single by Audioslave for their eponymous debut album released in 2002. The single was released with a white and a black cover...
" in which the band performed in the midst of a prolonged pyrotechnic display of the intensity usually seen only during fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
finales. The explosions were so loud during the night shoot in the San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
that local police and fire departments received hundreds of calls from residents who feared that a terrorist attack was underway.
Romanek's 2002 music video for country music icon Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
's cover of Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
' "Hurt" has been hailed by many critics and fans alike as the most personal and moving music video ever made. The song expresses self-loathing and the futility of worldly accomplishments; this content took on a new poignancy when sung by Cash near the end of his life, quietly performing in his memorabilia-filled home, with shots of the flood-ravaged "House of Cash" museum and archival shots of a younger, cockier Cash edited in. The video was nominated for seven VMAs, winning one for cinematography, and also won Romanek his third Grammy.
Other Romanek videos that have received accolades and awards include the VMA winners "Free Your Mind" (En Vogue
En Vogue
En Vogue is an American female R&B vocal group from Oakland, California assembled by music producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy.The group has won more MTV Video Music Awards than any other female group in MTV history, a total of seven, along with four Soul Train Awards, six American Music...
), "Are You Gonna Go My Way
Are You Gonna Go My Way (song)
"Are You Gonna Go My Way" is the first single to be released by Lenny Kravitz from the album of the same name. It was released in March 1993. It was written by Lenny Kravitz and Craig Ross...
" (Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
), "Rain
Rain (Madonna song)
"Rain" is a single by American singer-songwriter Madonna and was released on July 17, 1993 by Maverick Records. It was the fifth single release from her fifth studio album Erotica...
" (Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
), "Devil's Haircut
Devils Haircut (song)
- Music video :The music video for the song is directed by Mark Romanek. It features Beck walking through various New York City locations, wearing cowboy attire and carrying a boombox. At some points, the action freezes and the camera zooms in on Beck in tableau...
" (Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
), "99 Problems
99 Problems
"99 Problems" is the third single released by American rapper Jay-Z in 2004 from The Black Album. Throughout the song Jay-Z tells a story about dealing with a racist cop who wants to illegally search his car, dealing with rap critics, and dealing with an aggressor...
" (Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
) and "Criminal" (Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple McAfee Maggart is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Apple met international acclaim for her 1996 debut album, Tidal, which was a critical and commercial success...
). Many others have also received nominations. In 1997, Romanek received the VMA Video Vanguard Award for his contribution to the medium. Two of Romanek's music videos, "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails, and "Bedtime Story" by Madonna, have been made part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art
Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art is an art museum in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, on 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It has been important in developing and collecting modernist art, and is often identified as the most influential museum of modern art in the world...
in 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...
.
Feature films
In 2002, Romanek wrote and directed his second full-length feature movie, One Hour PhotoOne Hour Photo
One Hour Photo is a 2002 American psychological thriller written and directed by Mark Romanek and starring Robin Williams. Fox Searchlight Pictures distributed the film in the United States. One Hour Photo also starred Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan, Gary Cole, and Eriq La Salle. Williams won a...
, with Robin Williams
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
in the lead role as a department store photo processor who becomes obsessed with a family through their snapshots. One Hour Photo proved to be only a moderate hit, but still established Romanek as a respected movie director. Rumors spread that the studio, Fox Searchlight, had forced changes on Romanek that seriously altered the film from how he had intended it. He has disclaimed this story, however, stating that there never was a "director's cut" of One Hour Photo and that studio did not exercise any editorial control. In 2005, Romanek was scheduled to direct Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
in a film adaptation of the book, A Cold Case
A Cold Case
A Cold Case is a 2002 novel by Philip Gourevitch. A film adaptation of the novel starring Tom Hanks was attempted, but the project did not enter production.-Plot summary:...
but the project languished in development hell
Development hell
In the jargon of the media-industry, "development hell" is a period during which a film or other project is trapped in development...
. In December 2005, it was announced that he would direct A Million Little Pieces
A Million Little Pieces
A Million Little Pieces is a semi-fictional memoir by James Frey. It tells the story of a 23-year-old alcoholic and drug abuser and how he copes with rehabilitation in a Twelve steps-oriented treatment center...
, the film adaptation of the book of the same name but due to events regarding the authenticity of the book's content, it has also become a subject of speculation as to whether the film will indeed be made or not.
On February 8, 2007 he signed on to direct The Wolfman, but dropped out. The film was directed by Joe Johnston
Joe Johnston
Joseph Eggleston "Joe" Johnston II is an American film director and former effects artist best known for such effects-driven movies as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Jumanji, The Rocketeer, Jurassic Park III, the period drama October Sky, The Wolfman, and Captain America: The First Avenger.- Life and...
.
Romanek's third feature was the 2010 British dystopian drama Never Let Me Go
Never Let Me Go (2010 film)
Never Let Me Go is a 2010 British dystopian drama film based on Kazuo Ishiguro's 2005 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Mark Romanek from a screenplay by Alex Garland. Never Let Me Go is set in an alternate history and centers on Kathy, Ruth and Tommy who are portrayed by Carey...
starring Carey Mulligan
Carey Mulligan
Carey Hannah Mulligan is an English actress. She made her film debut as Kitty Bennet in Pride & Prejudice . She had roles in numerous British programmes and, in 2007, made her Broadway debut in The Seagull to critical acclaim....
, Andrew Garfield
Andrew Garfield
Andrew Russell Garfield is an American-English actor who has appeared in radio, theatre, film, and television. His early roles include the films Lions for Lambs, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, and Boy A, which garnered him the 2007 BAFTA Television Award for "Best Actor".Garfield achieved...
and Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley
Keira Christina Knightley born 26 March 1985) is an English actress and model. She began acting as a child and came to international notice in 2002 after co-starring in the film Bend It Like Beckham...
. It was produced by Alex Garland
Alex Garland
Alexander Medawar "Alex" Garland is a British novelist and screenwriter.-Early life:Garland was born in London, England, the son of psychoanalyst Caroline and political cartoonist Nicholas Garland. His maternal grandparents were zoologist Peter Medawar and author Jean Medawar...
, who also wrote the screenplay.
He will direct the horror comedy The Voices with Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller
Benjamin Edward "Ben" Stiller is an American comedian, actor, writer, film director, and producer. He is the son of veteran comedians and actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara....
in the lead role.
As of October 2011, Romanek is frontrunner to direct The Lost Symbol
The Lost Symbol (film)
The Lost Symbol is an upcoming film based on the novel The Lost Symbol by author Dan Brown. It has been confirmed that Columbia Pictures will distribute the film, for release in 2012....
, based on the Dan Brown
Dan Brown
Dan Brown is an American author of thriller fiction, best known for the 2003 bestselling novel, The Da Vinci Code. Brown's novels, which are treasure hunts set in a 24-hour time period, feature the recurring themes of cryptography, keys, symbols, codes, and conspiracy theories...
bestseller.
Feature films
- StaticStatic (film)Static is an American comedy-drama film directed by Mark Romanek. Static stars Keith Gordon, Amanda Plummer, and Bob Gunton, and was released in 1986 by NFI Productions....
(1985) - One Hour PhotoOne Hour PhotoOne Hour Photo is a 2002 American psychological thriller written and directed by Mark Romanek and starring Robin Williams. Fox Searchlight Pictures distributed the film in the United States. One Hour Photo also starred Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan, Gary Cole, and Eriq La Salle. Williams won a...
(2002) - Never Let Me GoNever Let Me Go (2010 film)Never Let Me Go is a 2010 British dystopian drama film based on Kazuo Ishiguro's 2005 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Mark Romanek from a screenplay by Alex Garland. Never Let Me Go is set in an alternate history and centers on Kathy, Ruth and Tommy who are portrayed by Carey...
(2010)
Compilations
- The Work of Director Mark Romanek (2005)
Music videos
| Year | Artist | Song Title | MTV Video Music Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The The The The The The are an English musical and multimedia group that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter Matt Johnson being the only constant band member.-Early years :... |
"Sweet Bird of Truth" | |
| 1989 | Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians was a band led by Robyn Hitchcock. It was formed in 1984 and split in 1994, and was famous for college-radio hits like "Balloon Man" , Madonna Of The Wasps and "So You Think You're In Love" .-Members:... |
"Madonna of the Wasps Queen Elvis Queen Elvis is an album released by Robyn Hitchcock and The Egyptians on A&M Records in 1989.Having signed to A&M in 1988, this second set for the label was unreleased in Hitchcock's home country the UK. The album's cover depicts Hitchcock in a red telephone box, illuminated from the inside... " |
|
| "One Long Pair of Eyes Queen Elvis Queen Elvis is an album released by Robyn Hitchcock and The Egyptians on A&M Records in 1989.Having signed to A&M in 1988, this second set for the label was unreleased in Hitchcock's home country the UK. The album's cover depicts Hitchcock in a red telephone box, illuminated from the inside... " |
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| 1990 | En Vogue En Vogue En Vogue is an American female R&B vocal group from Oakland, California assembled by music producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy.The group has won more MTV Video Music Awards than any other female group in MTV history, a total of seven, along with four Soul Train Awards, six American Music... |
"You Don't Have To Worry" | |
| Miki Howard Miki Howard Alicia Michelle "Miki" Howard is an American R&B/jazz singer and actress who had a string of Top 10 hit songs in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Howard's string of hits also included Baby,Be Mine", "Come Share My Love" and "Love Under New Management"... |
"Love Under New Management Love Under New Management "Love Under New Management" is the second single released from the 1989 self-titled album by American R&B singer Miki Howard. The song reached its peak of No. 2 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart on March 24, 1990. The song held that position for two weeks and propelled the album to No. 4 on Top... " |
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| 1991 | De La Soul De La Soul De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres... |
"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) "Ring Ring Ring " is the second single released by De La Soul from their second album De La Soul Is Dead, in 1991. The song is a party jam about overzealous fans who pursue the group with demo tapes in their efforts to obtain an endorsement from the group... " |
|
| ABC ABC (band) ABC are an English band, that charted ten UK and five US Top 40 singles between 1981 and 1990. The band continues to tour and released a new album, Traffic, in 2008.-Formation:... |
"Love Conquers All Love Conquers All (ABC song) "Love Conquers All" is a single by New Wave group ABC from their album Abracadabra.The song's music video, shot mostly in black-and-white, features scenes of various people doing random actions, intercut with footage of Martin Fry and Mark White performing the song and the seahorse from the... " |
||
| 1992 | Keith Richards Keith Richards Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting... |
"Wicked As It Seems Main Offender Main Offender is the second studio album by Keith Richards and the last to date. Released in 1992 in between The Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels and Voodoo Lounge projects, Main Offender remains to date Richards' most recent offering as a solo artist.Regrouping with his group of musician friends known... " |
|
| Definition of Sound Definition of Sound Definition of Sound was a London-based dance-music group, consisting of Kevin Clark and Don Weekes, working with musicians Rex Brough and latterly, Mike Spencer. Their second and fourth singles, "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" and "Moira Jane's Café" were in the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart. The... |
"Moira Jane's Café" | ||
| Teenage Fanclub Teenage Fanclub Teenage Fanclub are an alternative rock band from Bellshill, Scotland. The band is composed of Norman Blake , Raymond McGinley , Gerard Love and Francis MacDonald , with songwriting duties shared equally among Blake, McGinley and Love... |
"What You Do To Me" Bandwagonesque Bandwagonesque is the third album by Scottish alternative rock band Teenage Fanclub, released in November 1991 on Creation Records. Bandwagonesque became famous by beating Nirvana's landmark album Nevermind to be voted 'album of the year' for 1991 by American music magazine Spin... |
||
| k.d. lang K.D. Lang Kathryn Dawn Lang, OC , known by her stage name k.d. lang, is a Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter and occasional actress... |
"Constant Craving Constant Craving "Constant Craving" is a song written by k.d. lang and Ben Mink, and performed by k.d. lang on her album Ingénue. The song first made the charts in 1992, and won her the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1993 and an MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video... " |
1 Win Best Female Video 2 Nominations Best Cinematography - Mark Reshovsky Best Art Direction - Tom Foden |
|
| En Vogue | "Free Your Mind" | 3 Wins Best R&B Video Best Dance Video Best Choreography 5 Nominations Video of the Year Best Group Video Viewer's Choice Best Direction - Mark Romanek Best Cinematography - Thomas Kloss |
|
| 1993 | Lenny Kravitz Lenny Kravitz Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads... |
"Are You Gonna Go My Way Are You Gonna Go My Way (song) "Are You Gonna Go My Way" is the first single to be released by Lenny Kravitz from the album of the same name. It was released in March 1993. It was written by Lenny Kravitz and Craig Ross... " |
1 Win Best Male Video 1 Nomination Best Art Direction - Nigel Phelps |
| David Bowie David Bowie David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s... |
"Jump They Say Jump They Say "Jump They Say" is a song by David Bowie from his album Black Tie White Noise. It was released as a first single from the album in March 1993.... " |
||
| "Black Tie White Noise Black Tie White Noise (song) "Black Tie White Noise" is the title track from David Bowie's 1993 album. Featuring guest vocals by Al B. Sure!, it was released as a second single from the album in June 1993.... " |
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| Madonna Madonna (entertainer) Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983... |
"Rain Rain (Madonna song) "Rain" is a single by American singer-songwriter Madonna and was released on July 17, 1993 by Maverick Records. It was the fifth single release from her fifth studio album Erotica... " |
2 Wins Best Cinematography - Harris Savides Best Art Direction - Jan Peter Flack |
|
| Lenny Kravitz | "Is There Any Love In Your Heart Are You Gonna Go My Way Are You Gonna Go My Way is the third studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released on March 9, 1993 by Virgin Records America. It was recorded at Waterfront Recording Studios, Hoboken, New Jersey... " |
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| 1994 | Iggy Pop Iggy Pop Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues... |
"Beside You American Caesar (album) American Caesar is a 1993 album by Iggy Pop. After the success of Brick by Brick, Pop opted to continue with that album's lyrical themes while toughening up the musical foundation. Consequently, the album is often considered one of his stronger 90's albums.The cover of the UK edition contained the... " |
|
| Nine Inch Nails Nine Inch Nails Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction... |
"Closer" | 2 Nominations Breakthrough Video Best Art Direction - Tom Foden |
|
| G. Love & Special Sauce G. Love & Special Sauce G. Love & Special Sauce is an alternative hip-hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are known for their unique, "sloppy", and "laid back" blues sound that encompasses classic R&B. The band features Garrett Dutton, better known as G... |
"Cold Beverage G. Love and Special Sauce (album) G. Love and Special Sauce is the début album by G. Love & Special Sauce released on May 10, 1994 via Epic Records. The album has gone Gold.... " |
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| 1995 | Madonna | "Bedtime Story" | |
| R.E.M. R.E.M. R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's... |
"Strange Currencies Strange Currencies "Strange Currencies" is a song by R.E.M.. It was included on the album Monster and was also released as a single in 1995. The single hit #9 in the UK singles chart and peaked at #47 in the United States.... " |
||
| Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael 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... |
"Scream Scream/Childhood "Scream"/"Childhood" is the lead single from Michael Jackson's ninth studio album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I where "Scream" is the first song and "Childhood" is the tenth song on the second disc of the album HIStory Continues. The A-side, "Scream", is a duet with his younger sister... " (feat. Janet Jackson Janet Jackson Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years... ) |
2 Wins Best Dance Video Best Choreography 9 Nominations Video of the Year Best R&B Video Breakthrough Video Viewer's Choice Best Direction - Mark Romanek Best Editing - Robert Duffy Best Cinematography - Harris Savides Best Art Direction - Tom Foden Best Special Effects |
|
| 1996 | Sonic Youth Sonic Youth Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City... |
"Little Trouble Girl Little Trouble Girl "Little Trouble Girl" is a song by Sonic Youth, released as the second and final single from their 1995 album Washing Machine. Guest vocals for the song were provided by Kim Deal.-CD single:# "Little Trouble Girl" - 4:29... " |
|
| Eels Eels (band) Eels is an American indie rock band formed by singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, better known as E... |
"Novocaine For the Soul Novocaine for the Soul "Novocaine for the Soul" is the first single released by American rock band Eels. The track comes from their 1996 debut album, Beautiful Freak. "Novocaine for the Soul" was the first song that gave Eels international success, most notably in the UK, where it hit number 10 in the UK Singles Chart in... " |
2 Nominations Best Cinematography - Jeff Cronenweth Best Special Effects - Ashley Clemens |
|
| Weezer Weezer Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992... |
"El Scorcho El Scorcho "El Scorcho" is a song by the American alternative rock band Weezer. It is the first single from the band's second album Pinkerton, released in 1996. The music video features the band playing in an old ballroom in Los Angeles , surrounded by light fixtures of diverse origin, flashing in time to the... " |
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| Beck Beck Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck... |
"Devils Haircut" | 2 Wins Best Male Video Best Editing - Hank Corwin |
|
| 1997 | Nine Inch Nails | "The Perfect Drug The Perfect Drug "The Perfect Drug" or ' is a song by Nine Inch Nails. It was written for the David Lynch film Lost Highway and originally appeared on the Lost Highway soundtrack and as a single from the score in 1997... " |
5 Nominations Video of the Year Best Alternative Video Best Direction - Mark Romanek Best Cinematography - Jeff Cronenweth Best Art Direction - Tom Foden |
| Fiona Apple Fiona Apple Fiona Apple McAfee Maggart is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Apple met international acclaim for her 1996 debut album, Tidal, which was a critical and commercial success... |
"Criminal" | 1 Win Best Cinematography - Harris Savides 1 Nomination Best Female Video |
|
| Janet Jackson | "Got 'Til It's Gone Got 'Til It's Gone "Got 'til It's Gone" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson, featuring American rapper Q-Tip and Canadian singer Joni Mitchell. It was released as the lead single from Jackson's sixth studio album, The Velvet Rope .-Song information:... " (feat. Q-Tip Q-Tip (rapper) Kamaal Ibn John Fareed , better known by his stage name Q-Tip, is an American hip hop artist, producer, singer, and actor from St. Albans, Queens, New York, part of the critically acclaimed group A Tribe Called Quest... & Joni Mitchell Joni Mitchell Joni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto... ) |
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| 1998 | Lenny Kravitz | "If You Can't Say No If You Can't Say No "If You Can't Say No" is a song by Lenny Kravitz, released as the first single from his album 5. The song was written by Kravitz and reached #48 in the UK Singles Chart, while in the US, it peaked at #39 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Dance producer Brian Transeau remixed the track... " |
|
| 1999 | Macy Gray Macy Gray Macy Gray is a Grammy Award-winning American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress, famed for her distinctive raspy voice, and a singing style heavily influenced by Billie Holiday and Betty Davis.Gray has released five studio albums, with her fifth studio album, The Sellout,... |
"Do Something Do Something (song) "Do Something" is the lead single from Macy Gray's debut album, On How Life Is . The song samples OutKast's 1994 song "Git Up, Git Out" and Nice & Smooth's 1989 song "Funky for You", and therefore contained no less than seventeen co-writers including Gray herself.In the United Kingdom, "Do... " |
1 Win Best Cinematography - Jeff Cronenweth 1 Nomination Best Art Direction - Nigel Phelps |
| "I Try I Try "I Try" is the second single from Macy Gray's debut album On How Life Is, released in North American in January 2000 . It was Gray's biggest hit to date... " (Second Version) |
1 Win Best New Artist 1 Nomination Best Female Video |
||
| 2000 | The Wallflowers The Wallflowers The Wallflowers is a rock band from Los Angeles, California, fronted by Jakob Dylan. Formed in 1989 and originally known as The Apples, the ensemble has gone through numerous personnel changes with Dylan the only constant.... |
"Sleepwalker (Breach) is the third studio album by The Wallflowers.-Track listing:All songs written by Jakob Dylan.# "Letters from the Wasteland" – 4:29# "Hand Me Down" – 3:35# "Sleepwalker" – 3:31# "I've Been Delivered" – 5:01... " |
|
| 2001 | Mick Jagger Mick Jagger Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones.... |
"God Gave Me Everything Goddess in the Doorway Goddess in the Doorway is the fourth solo album by Mick Jagger, released in 2001. The most recent offering from Jagger as a solo artist, it marked his first release with Virgin Records, whom he has been contracted with as a member of The Rolling Stones since 1991.Following 1993's Wandering Spirit... " |
|
| 2002 | No Doubt No Doubt No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact... |
"Hella Good Hella Good "Hella Good" is a song written by Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, and The Neptunes for No Doubt's fifth studio album Rock Steady . The song draws influence from electro, rock, and funk music... " |
|
| Audioslave Audioslave Audioslave was an American rock supergroup that formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001. It consisted of former Soundgarden lead singer/rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell and the former instrumentalists of Rage Against the Machine: Tom Morello , Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk... |
"Cochise Cochise (song) "Cochise" is the first single by Audioslave for their eponymous debut album released in 2002. The single was released with a white and a black cover... " |
||
| Johnny Cash Johnny Cash John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century... |
"Hurt" | 1 Win Best Cinematography - Jean-Yves Escoffier 5 Nominations Video of the Year Best Male Video Best Direction - Mark Romanek Best Editing - Robert Duffy Best Art Direction - Ruby Guidara |
|
| Red Hot Chili Peppers Red Hot Chili Peppers Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock... |
"Can't Stop" | ||
| 2003 | Linkin Park Linkin Park Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries... |
"Faint Faint (song) "Faint" is a song by Linkin Park from their second studio album Meteora. The song was released as the album's second single in mid-2003 and entered the top thirty on the majority of the charts it appeared on, including the Hot 100, in which it peaked at #48. The song reached #1 on the U.S. Modern... " |
|
| 2004 | Jay-Z Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010... |
"99 Problems 99 Problems "99 Problems" is the third single released by American rapper Jay-Z in 2004 from The Black Album. Throughout the song Jay-Z tells a story about dealing with a racist cop who wants to illegally search his car, dealing with rap critics, and dealing with an aggressor... " |
4 Wins Best Rap Video Best Direction - Mark Romanek Best Editing - Robert Duffy Best Cinematography - Joaquín Baca-Asay 2 Nominations Video of the Year Best Male Video |
| 2005 | Coldplay Coldplay Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a... |
"Speed of Sound Speed of Sound (song) "Speed of Sound" is a song by English alternative rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their third album, X&Y. Built around a piano riff, the song builds into a huge, synthesizer-heavy chorus... " |
4 Nominations Video of the Year Best Editing - Adam Pertofsky Best Cinematography - Harris Savides Best Special Effects |
Further reading
- Henry Keazor, Thorsten Wübbena: Video Thrills The Radio Star. Musikvideos: Geschichte, Themen, Analysen. Bielefeld 2005, p. 335ss., p. 344ss.
- "`(...) an unforgettable emotional impact´ - Jay-Z/Mark Romanek: `99 Problems´", in: Klaus Herding/Antje Krause Wahl (Eds.), Wie sich Gefühle Ausdruck verschaffen - Emotionen in Nahsicht, Taunusstein: Driesen 2007, p. 321 - 342
External links
- Mark Romanek official website
- Tribute to Mark Romanek's Music Video Career
- Mark Romanek Interview about the making of Nine Inch Nails Video "Closer"
- Johnny Cash's "Hurt" Delves Into Life of Former Hell-Raiser, MTV VMA Lens Recap
- Jay-Z Has The Guts To Get "Shot," Rick Rubin Demands To Look Cool, MTV VMA Lens Recap. Describes the concept of Mark Romanek's first hip-hop video, Jay-Z's "99 Problems."
- Artist Series: Mark Romanek, An interview with Romanek in short-film format by Hillman CurtisHillman CurtisDavid Hillman Curtis is an American new media designer, author, and filmmaker. Curtis is the Principal and Chief Creative Officer of hillmancurtis.com, inc., a digital design and film production firm in New York City. Previously, he was design director for Macromedia...
.