Playlist: Will Wightman

What’s the best music video you’ve seen recently and why?

Ah there's been so much good stuff recently! One of my favourite of the year was James Alexandrou's video for Truman - Charley Boy. It's such a simple concept, but it's one of those videos that every time I watch a bit of, I have to go and watch the whole thing. The way it's shot is so uncompromising and Truman's performance is amazingly committed. Fair play, I get stressed just thinking about trying to make that.

Another couple I loved were Hugh Mulhern's videos for Hak Baker, they are the kind of videos I'd love to make. Hak Baker - Doolally is especially great, there are so many awesome visuals, techniques and ideas packed into that video it feels like a fever dream in the best way.

What’s the first music video you remember being impressed by?

I love Tara O'Callaghan. I was obsessed with her video for Why-Axis - Bloodstain. It has this amazing warmth that you just can't bottle, and it manages to capture a night out in a way that feels properly authentic. It was a huge inspiration for the way I wanted my work to feel.

And what’s your all-time favourite music video?

The Lumineers - Gloria has a beautiful video directed Kevin Phillips. It's cut and shot in this incredibly musical way, with these awesome tracking shots that have so much drama. The story is simple and heartbreaking and just shows how a good music video can really tell an amazing story if done right. That's a video I always come back to if I need a bit of a creative pick me up.

What are you listening to at the moment?

I've been working on a project with a lot of dance music, so I've really been educating myself in the history of the genre. Everything from The Prodigy and Daft Punk to new and upcoming DJs like Jersey or Two Shell. I'll quite often be sitting on the tube at 8 in the morning listening to Gabber, I love it.

What’s your favourite bit of tech, whether for professional or personal use?

Recently I have been having a lot of fun with a 360 camera. I think people just brush them off as a gimmicky bit of kit that just makes tiny planets but honestly I think it's so versatile. My goal is to find a way of shooting with it that makes it feel cinematic, here's hoping someone will let me make a video with one soon.

What artist(s) would you most like to work with and why?

I'd really like to work with a properly awesome dance track, and as I mentioned before there's loads up-and-coming DJs that I love. I also really like the visceral intensity of rock bands like Idles or Squid or cinematic quality of Black Country New Road; their tracks have real heart. If I'm dreaming big, I'd love to do a video for Disclosure or ApHex Twin and A$AP Rocky has made some amazing videos over the years. I could go on!

To be honest though, I think the perfect artist for me is really someone who's up for collaborating; someone who's happy to put ego aside and just make something properly creative. At this stage in my career, I'm open minded!

How do you feel the promo industry has changed since you started in it?

Honestly, I don't feel like I've been in this industry long enough to answer this with much confidence sorry!