Playlist: Maya Table
We hear from Stept Studios director Maya Table, where she talks Jeezy's Tiny Desk performance, daydream inspirations, and iPhone TV remotes...
What’s the best music video you’ve seen recently and why?
This came out a few months ago but by Kali Uchis - Te Mata, directed by Bethany Vargas at PRETTYBIRD.
It’s romantic, emotional, seductive, cinematic and a little odd. That’s what I hope my style grows to become.
Credits
powered by-
- Production Company PRETTYBIRD
- Director Bethany Vargas
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Unlock full credits and more with a Source + shots membership.
Credits
powered by- Production Company PRETTYBIRD
- Director Bethany Vargas
- Production Co. North of Now/Los Angeles
- Producer Juan Daniel Caro
- Executive Producer Candice Dragonas (Ouaknine)
- DP Russ Fraser
- Editor Sofia Kerpan
- Colorist Giant Ant
Credits
powered by- Production Company PRETTYBIRD
- Director Bethany Vargas
- Production Co. North of Now/Los Angeles
- Producer Juan Daniel Caro
- Executive Producer Candice Dragonas (Ouaknine)
- DP Russ Fraser
- Editor Sofia Kerpan
- Colorist Giant Ant
What’s the first music video you remember being impressed by?
T.I. - 24’s. That was the first music video I ever interned on.
I was a film student so being on set for the first time was unforgettable.
Credits
powered by-
- Production Company Clever Films
- Director Fat Cats
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Unlock full credits and more with a Source + shots membership.
Credits
powered by- Production Company Clever Films
- Director Fat Cats
Credits
powered by- Production Company Clever Films
- Director Fat Cats
And what’s your all-time favourite music video?
That’s a tough one! I don’t think I have one fav of all time. I have a three-way tie though.
Ashanti - Rain On Me, Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna - LOYALTY, directed by Dave Meyers & the little homies, and M.I.A. - Bad Girls, directed by Romain Gavras.
What other directors/artists do you look to for inspiration?
Hmmm I can’t say that I look to anyone for inspiration. My ideas usually come from a sound in a song or a daydream.
What are you listening to at the moment?
NPR’s Upfirst podcast and Jeezy Tiny Desk performance.
What’s your favourite bit of tech, whether for professional or personal use?
The iPhone. I keep discovering new things! Yesterday I used my phone as my TV remote. I know that’s probably an old feature to some lol.
Credits
powered by-
- Production Company Stept Studios
- Director Maya Table
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-
Unlock full credits and more with a Source + shots membership.
Credits
powered by- Production Company Stept Studios
- Director Maya Table
Credits
powered by- Production Company Stept Studios
- Director Maya Table
What artist(s) would you most like to work with and why?
Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Coldplay, Kali Uchis, Beyonce, Rema. These artists have the sounds that make my creative thoughts flourish. It’s crazy. I could be feeling super uninspired, and I’ll play Kendrick Lamar and those creative thoughts start to flow. That’s a vibe.
How do you feel the promo industry has changed since you started in it?
Social media wasn’t huge when I first started and I think it’s amazing. It’s taken all of the smoke and mirrors away and allows us to connect to the real talent and the real button pushers. I love that creatives can be the authors of their own careers because of social media.
Where do you see the music video industry being in five years’ time?
The budgets will only go to larger artists and the artists will use AI videos as their main videos.
Tell us one thing about yourself that most people won’t know…
All the way up to my senior year in high school, I wanted to be a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. But I found out that blood made me gag.
So after some soul searching and interning at a number of companies, I discovered that I liked film.