By Sam Molineaux
At its 12th annual awards ceremony at L.A.’s Orpheum Theater on May 8, Music Video Production Association president Pam Tarr presented veteran music video director Matt Mahurin with the association’s highest honor. Accepting his MVPA Lifetime Achievement Award, Mahurin rattled off a list of personal encounters with artists he’s directed over the years, including pop/rock luminaries like Peter Gabriel, U2, REM, Tom Waits, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, David Byrne and Joni Mitchell.
The association also singled out VP of Label Relations for MTV and MTV2, Peter Barron, presenting the executive with the Kratz Award for Creative Excellence. The late Herb Ritts was honored with an induction into the MVPA Hall of Fame for his 1991 video for Chris Isaak’s Wicked Games.
A big winner at this year’s packed event was director Mark Romanek, who won three awards. Presenters included Christina Aguilera, Mel “Scary Spice” Brown, Will I Am of Black Eyed Peas, Rob Zombie, and actors Danny Trejo, Matthew St. Patrick, Tia Carrera, Wesley Jonathan, Amelia Vincent, Jason Geddrich, Michael Des Barres, and Jody Lynn O’ Keith. The event was hosted by actress Shannon Elizabeth and comedy duo the Sklar Brothers.
The winners list:
Pop Video of the Year: Francis Lawrence/DNA for Justin Timberlake/Cry Me A River
Art Direction: Laura Fox for No Doubt/Hella Good
Adult Contemporary Video of the Year: David LaChapelle/Venus for Elton John/Original Sin
Styling: Trish Summerville for Christina Aguilera/Dirrty
Soundtrack Video of the Year: Traktor for Madonna/Die Another Day
Directorial Debut of the Year: Stylewar for Moby/In This World
Colorist/Telecine: Beau Leon for No Doubt/Underneath It All
Direction of a Female Artist: Sophie Muller for Pink/Family Portrait
Best Hair: Danillo for No Doubt/Hella Good
Hip-Hop Video of the Year: Chris Robinson/Partizan for Busta Rhymes featuring P. Diddy/Pass The Courvoisier
Special Effects: The Syndicate for George Michael/Freeek!
Electronic Music Video of the Year: Stylewar/Refused.tv for Moby/In This World
Best Video Produced for Under $25,000: Rojo/Battlecruiser for Clinic/Walking With Thee
Choreography: Hi-Hat for Missy Elliott/Gossip Folks
Rap Video of the Year: Joseph Kahn/SuperMega for Eminem/Without Me
Alternative Video of the Year: Michel Gondry/Partizan for White Stripes/Dead Leaves & the Dirty Ground
Direction of a Male Artist: Francis Lawrence for Justin Timberlake/Cry Me A River
Rock Video of the Year: Mark Romanek/Anonymous Content for Audioslave/Cochise
Make-Up: Troy Jensen & Sharon Gault for Christina Aguilera/Dirrty
R&B Video of the Year: Chris Robinson/Partizan for Erykah Badu featuring Common/Love Of My Life
Direction of a New Artist: Roman Coppola for The Vines/Get Free
Director of the Year: Mark Romanek/Anonymous Content for Audioslave/Cochise, Johnny Cash/Hurt, and No Doubt/Hella Good
Cinematography: Karsten “Crash” Gopinath for No Doubt/Underneath It All
Country Video of the Year: Mark Romanek/Anonymous Content for Johnny Cash/Hurt
Editing: Mario Mares for Justin Timberlake/Cry Me A River
International Video of the Year: Joseph Kahn/SuperMega for George Michael/Freeek!
