L.A. Day 3: Music Video Directing followed by Sony Studios

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Music Videos and TV Promos with Trudy Bellinger


Trudy Bellinger graced our students with her journey of working her way to become one of the most successful music video directors and producers of all time.  You can read her full biography on her website http://www.trudybellinger.com.  Ms. Bellinger explained the generational shifts and the current landscape of music videos, tv promos, and commercials.  You may have seen some of her latest work with TV promos for ABC's Scandal, Project Runway, Next Top Model and The Bachelorette.

Ms. Bellinger explained the differences between commercials, tv promos, and music videos.  Regular commercials are a big part of the industry but an ad agency has already created the idea/storyboard, and as directors you pitch for the job.  TV promos on the other hand, are somewhat in the middle where you as a director get a little more freedom and creative input.  

 East Boston High School student Juan Arias explained how he made a music video in his film class utilizing music from a favorite hip-hop artist.  Ms. Bellinger acknowledged to keep doing what he is doing and that building a portfolio is essential as an entry point into the industry.

 Ms. Bellinger then inspired the audience with information about the Free The Bid movement which ensures at least one female director bid for each job.  

 From www.freethebid.com:
THE PROBLEM
  • A vicious cycle: At the bidding stage, ad agencies typically present three directors per film/spot.
  • Most women don't get a chance to build competitive reels after years of gender bias
  • Ad agencies end up with 3 male director bids. Production companies don't have incentive to sign more women.

THE SOLUTION

Ad agencies and brands get one WOMAN DIRECTOR’S bid on EVERY job!

Paving the way for more female directors, Ms. Bellinger is featured in the 2018 award-winning film “Seeing is Believing: Women Direct.”  Visit the website http://seeingisbelievingwomendirect.com/  to learn more and check out the available resources. 

A Visit to Sony Studios

The second half of the day was spent at Sony Studios.  We went on a tour of the entire lot including visiting the studio for “The Goldbergs.”  We then traveled to the Barbra Streisand Recording Stage. One of the largest and most prestigious music recording studios in the world, it is a favorite location for composer John Williams.  The room started as a normal studio but then was realized in the 1930’s as amazing acoustics with the film score to The Wizard of Oz. Watch a clip of John Williams in action for the recording of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

We then visited the Jeopardy stage where we learned they films for two days and then Wheel of Fortune films for two days.  Since the studios are right next to each other, they use the same crew.  

We visited the foley studio where we learned about sound effects.  In general, if it is not the recorded voice, typically sound effects are recorded into completely separate tracks so that they can be manipulated. 

The last part of the tour included an amazing presentation from the Creative Team at Sony.  Here we learned about their global branding, future projects, the balance between work and being a creative, along with entry points for internships and career pathways.  


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