(Blog 11) Emil Nava: Case study 2

Emil Nava

Emil Nava began as a runner for film production companies and worked for Blink productions. He now freelances for OB management. After working as a runner, Emil Nava graduated to assistant director where he could manage the video shoots that take place there. He then signed to Academy who are the biggest music video production company in the world. Emil then worked for between the eyes and now works mainly for pulse.

Emils' first budget for the band known as "kid British"and their track "Our House", he had a budget for £20,000.
He did this track in Manchester and used local people as the cast and it only took him one day to film it. It took Emil around 2-3 days for editing and 10 days pre-production. This demonstrates the very tight time scales involved.



Kid British - Our House is Dadless






Career Advice on becoming a Music Video Director.




Jessie J's music video director: Millions watch my films




Jessie J - Wild (featuring Big Sean & Dizzee rascal)



Emil Nava has now begun to make adverts, which generally have a far higher budget and production values but which allow for less creative freedom.

At his busiest, Emil has made 24 music videos in one year.
When he began shooting videos for independent labels the budget would be as low as £5,000 to £10,000
Emil Nava's most expensive  video to date has been for Jessie J and the budget was £160,000.

Nava has now begun to make adverts, which generally have a far higher budget and production values but which allow for less creative freedom.




Paloma Faith  '30 minte Love Affair'
Client Sony - Director Emil Nava





Paloma Faith  'Picking up the pieces'




Client Sony - Director Also directed by Emil Nava

Cost - £80,000



Ed Sheeran 'Lego House'

Client Atlantic - Director Emil Nava



Jessie J  'Do it like A dude'

Client Island - Direct Emil Nava

Cost - £25,00



RIP - Rita Ora Ft. Tinie T

Client: RocNation
Another music video directed by Emil Nava






Ed Sheeran 'You Need Me'

Client: Atlantic
Director: Emil Nava





Jessis J 'Price Tag'

Client Island

Director Emil Nava





Emil Nava's Techniques:

Extreme close ups on faces

Do not shoot whole of video in medium shot or long shot
Example: Sinead O'Connor - 'Nothing compares to U'

Godley & Creme - Cry


Case study 2

Some of the production companies that OB work with regularly are:

• Rocket
• Friends
• Pulse Films
• Agile Films
• Wonda

OB Management work as agents for music video directors and they describe themselves as "Three straights up dudes who work out of Denmark Street London".

OB Management aim to:

• Nurture Talent
• Work with production companies
• Work with record labels
• Match the right director to the right artists

Alex Southam

(Also freelances for OB Management)

Southam was trained as a lawyer but decided to go in a new direction and work in film. He began making music videos to learn 'The Trade'.