MMVA08: Best Cinematography

June 9th, 2008

Sure, you have the camera-ready artist. And you have the director who yells “Action!” when the camera starts to roll. But now you need someone to actually work the camera, to frame the shot, to make the artist look the best that he or she can look. Not always an easy job, but someone’s gotta do it, thus I present to you the MMVA08 nominations for Best Cinematography.

Belly – Ridin’ f. Mario Winans

You wouldn’t think that Brendan Steacy, Cinematographer of the award-winning documentary Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, would be the man behind the lens for Belly’s Ridin’. But lo and behold, the man teams up with Director RT! to create a colourful, lush cruise through the countryside and a vibrant speedboat ride over some shockingly blue waves. When things are this smooth, there is no headbanging required.

City and Colour – Waiting

Director of Photography Simon Shohet is no stranger to the MuchMusic Video Awards or music videos in general. Often nominated, he has worked on videos for Sarah Harmer, Neverending White Lights, Theory Of A Deadman and Alexisonfire. Now he once again applies his vision to the latest from City And Colour. For the video for Waiting, which is entirely shot in black and white, Shohet helps bring a quiet jam session to life, which ends in a seamless gliding through streaming lightbulbs. Now we’re all just left waiting for what he’ll come up with next.

Hedley – For The Nights I Can’t Remember

Hedley – She’s So Sorry

Director of Photography Samy Inayeh’s Hedley videos are nominated twice: once for For The Nights I Can’t Remember and second for She’s So Sorry. Same band, two very different videos with two very different looks, and thus the double nomination. Working with the same Director (Kevin De Freitas) on both, Inayeh was able to convey the softer, sweeter side of For The Nights… while getting dirty, gritty and in-your-face with She’s So Sorry. From one extreme to the other, Inayeh is one versatile Cinematographer.

Skye Sweetnam – Human

Two of Brendan Steacy’s videos are also nominated. Unlike his slick video for Belly’s Ridin’, Skye Sweetnam’s Human video is dark and dirty with a fun post-apolocalyptic Tank Girl-esque vibe. The catchy ditty is a pure dance-a-thon, showcased with a sense of humour. It’s light on colour, but high on perfectly captured choreography. Everything looks great, but then again, how could anyone possibly make the photogenic Skye Sweetnam look bad?

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MuchLOUD Best Rock Video
MuchVIBE Best Rap Video
VideoFACT Best Independent
Best International Video – Artist
Best International Video – Group

Posted on Monday, June 9th, 2008 at 3:10 pm by Soja and is filed under MMVA2008.