Executive producer at Black Dog Films, RSA’s music video division, Coleen Haynes looks back at producing the viral spectacles that defined the year in pop culture, and offers a glimpse into the boundary-pushing material we should expect from Black Dog in music videos and beyond this 2014.
How would you describe 2013 for the industry, creatively speaking?
This year has really seen a resurgence of creativity in the music video industry. As everything has become more immediately shareable and the focus is on things going viral, it allows us to be more provocative, to push the limits of creativity and reel them back in where needed.
What do you think your own best personal achievement has been this past year?
It's so hard to say because as a company and a team we do a lot of great work, here and in London. There's no one person behind any project and our directors are incredibly amazing in clarifying their visions.
But being behind half of VEVO's most watched music videos of 2013 is something the whole Black Dog crew is pretty excited about.
What are you most excited about for 2014?
We've had the privilege of working with some of the most interesting and envelope-pushing performers over Black Dog's 15-year history, so I hope we continue that into 2014.
We've added some amazing directors to the roster this year and it's a source of pride that we have a fairly gender-balanced director roster, at least by this industry’s standards!
Beyond music videos, we also are continuing our work in art and photography, pushing boundaries there just like we do in our music videos. Black Dog also produced a short film premiering at Sundance in January. We're really excited about that one, Dawn, directed by Rose McGowan, which is part of the opening night festivities.
And what are your predictions for the industry in general in 2014?
I think there's going to be a lot more spectacle - in the best way. It's what makes our work exciting. We are constantly upping the ante. I mean, what would this year have been without twerking?
Which campaign or piece of work will you remember from this year?
Honestly it’s hard to choose just one - between the two Miley Cyrus videos, there is some pretty memorable content. The Blurred Lines video is pretty memorable as well (especially if you're watching the NSFW version!) and Britney's Work Bitch (that neon 'Bitch' sign is still in our office and we're loving it!). That and four David Bowie videos, a Madonna project, Springsteen, well, hmmmm...
How did your company/office celebrating Christmas this year?
We celebrated the holidays RSA-style with a party with our clients and then our own personal get together with just employees, and of course, their dogs. And now a much-coveted vacation where I will be unplugging as much as possible!
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