Dawn Shadforth
Encyclopedia
Dawn Shadforth is a British
music video
and documentary director
, as well as an editor and artist. Shadforth began her career as an award winning sculptor before turning her interest to music and directing. Shadforth is one of the foremost directors in her field and has directed and edited promotional music videos for artists such as Florence and the Machine
, Kylie Minogue
, Oasis
, Goldfrapp
, Sugababes
and Garbage
. She has received several awards including Best New Director at The Creative Design Awards, Best Special Effects for Garbage’s "Special" at the MTV Video Music Awards
, Visionary Video at the VH1
Awards and the Icon Award at the UK Music Video Awards
. An exhibition of her work has recently been featured at the Creative Futures show. Her work is well known for its tightly choreographed performances and for liberating the movement of dancers rather than containing it.
Shadforth at an early age was interested in art and music. Her mother encouraged her to follow her interests and she enrolled herself at Sheffield Hallam University
and studied sculpture. She proved to be a natural at sculpting and won multiple prestigious awards including the Whitworth Young Contemporaries Award for her work entitled "Sweet Dreams", as well as a first place prize in Fine Art
for her work in 1991. After graduating from college, Shadforth was unsure what to do and decided to further her education and was accepted into a video training course.
In 1995 Shadforth directed The Friends Tale, a 10 minute documentary
for Channel 4
's controversial "Battered Britain" series. She then followed the documentary up with The Seven Year Glitch, a short film documenting the "Warp Records Tour". The documentary was screened at the film festival "Onedotzero", as well at "Solar" in Barcelona, Spain.
In 1996 she was asked by a Mantronix
band member to direct the music video for their underground hit "Hush" in New York
. In 1997 Shadforth moved to London, England to work full time as a music video
director. In London her work quickly received public and industry recognition. Her music video for the All Seeing I
single "Beat Goes On" won for Best Dance Video at the 1998 Muzik Video Awards and for Best Editing at the 1999 Creative Design Awards. In June 1998 she signed to Black Dog/RSA Films, a music video production company based in England
.
Shadforth edits all her own work, which is rare in the music video business. "I've always done it, right from the word go," she explains. "I find it impossible to communicate to somebody--it's just something that doesn't go through your conscious thoughts and, because it's music, it's different from cutting a story. When I have an idea, it's motivated by editing." Shadforth feels that the use of an editor will limit her creative ideas and just complicates the directorial process.
In 2001 Shadforth made her directing breakthrough with the Kylie Minogue
video, "Can't Get You Out Of My Head
". The video features Minogue in a computer generated futuristic city, arriving in a space-age car, seductively and rhythmically shifting the gearstick as she drives, before eventually dancing in a clipped pulsating style in front of a group of male dancers all wearing bizarre red plastic headgear. The video is well known for its tight choreography as well as for featuring Minogue in a deceptively revealing white costume with a plunging neckline and wide open front. The video was quickly picked up by many music video channels and is credited with making the song a number one hit worldwide. The exposure from the video quickly made Shadforth a "must have" director, and the film has been widely mimicked and parodied.
She also directed the award-winning promo film for "The Importance of Being Idle
", the acclaimed second single from 2005's comeback album by Oasis
, Don't Believe the Truth
. The film was a clever pastiche of 1960s black and white kitchen-sink drama films, featuring a parade of high-kicking undertakers, led by the Welsh actor Rhys Ifans
. (The name of the undertaking firm featured in the video is 'Shadforth and Sons'). The band themselves praised the video, and it was said by critics at the time to be the best video Oasis
had ever made. It went on to win the award for Best Video of 2005 at the NME Awards
in early 2006, and the song itself went to Number 1.
Shadforth has dabbled into directing commercials but did not like the experience. She has said that she happier directing music videos because she loves music and is "motivated by music and that's the reason I'm a music video director as opposed to any other kind of director, for me it's an end in itself, something I'll hopefully do for years to come." She has over recent years been offered film scripts and has turned them down, but has not ruled out film directing for the future.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
and documentary director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, as well as an editor and artist. Shadforth began her career as an award winning sculptor before turning her interest to music and directing. Shadforth is one of the foremost directors in her field and has directed and edited promotional music videos for artists such as Florence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine is the recording name of English musician Florence Welch and a collaboration of other artists who provide music for her voice. Florence and the Machine's sound has been described as a combination of various genres, including rock and soul...
, Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
, Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
, Goldfrapp
Goldfrapp
Goldfrapp are an English electronic music duo, formed in 1999 in London, England, that consists of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory ....
, Sugababes
Sugababes
The Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 with founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in 2000 under London...
and Garbage
Garbage (band)
Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
. She has received several awards including Best New Director at The Creative Design Awards, Best Special Effects for Garbage’s "Special" at the MTV Video Music Awards
MTV Video Music Awards
An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos...
, Visionary Video at the VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
Awards and the Icon Award at the UK Music Video Awards
UK Music Video Awards
The UK Music Video Awards is an annual celebration of creativity, technical excellence and innovation in music video and moving image for music....
. An exhibition of her work has recently been featured at the Creative Futures show. Her work is well known for its tightly choreographed performances and for liberating the movement of dancers rather than containing it.
Shadforth at an early age was interested in art and music. Her mother encouraged her to follow her interests and she enrolled herself at Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University is a higher education institution in South Yorkshire, England, based on two sites in Sheffield. City Campus is located in the city centre, close to Sheffield railway station, and Collegiate Crescent Campus is about two miles away, adjacent to Ecclesall Road in...
and studied sculpture. She proved to be a natural at sculpting and won multiple prestigious awards including the Whitworth Young Contemporaries Award for her work entitled "Sweet Dreams", as well as a first place prize in Fine Art
Fine art
Fine art or the fine arts encompass art forms developed primarily for aesthetics and/or concept rather than practical application. Art is often a synonym for fine art, as employed in the term "art gallery"....
for her work in 1991. After graduating from college, Shadforth was unsure what to do and decided to further her education and was accepted into a video training course.
In 1995 Shadforth directed The Friends Tale, a 10 minute documentary
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
for Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's controversial "Battered Britain" series. She then followed the documentary up with The Seven Year Glitch, a short film documenting the "Warp Records Tour". The documentary was screened at the film festival "Onedotzero", as well at "Solar" in Barcelona, Spain.
In 1996 she was asked by a Mantronix
Mantronix
Mantronix was an influential 1980s hip hop and electro funk music group founded by DJ Kurtis Mantronik , and rapper MC Tee...
band member to direct the music video for their underground hit "Hush" in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In 1997 Shadforth moved to London, England to work full time as a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
director. In London her work quickly received public and industry recognition. Her music video for the All Seeing I
All Seeing I
The All Seeing I is an English electronic music group from Sheffield, comprising Dean Honer, Jason Buckle and DJ Parrot...
single "Beat Goes On" won for Best Dance Video at the 1998 Muzik Video Awards and for Best Editing at the 1999 Creative Design Awards. In June 1998 she signed to Black Dog/RSA Films, a music video production company based in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Shadforth edits all her own work, which is rare in the music video business. "I've always done it, right from the word go," she explains. "I find it impossible to communicate to somebody--it's just something that doesn't go through your conscious thoughts and, because it's music, it's different from cutting a story. When I have an idea, it's motivated by editing." Shadforth feels that the use of an editor will limit her creative ideas and just complicates the directorial process.
In 2001 Shadforth made her directing breakthrough with the Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
video, "Can't Get You Out Of My Head
Can't Get You out of My Head
"Can't Get You Out of My Head" is a song by Australian recording artist and songwriter Kylie Minogue, which was released from her eighth studio album Fever . The song was released worldwide as the lead single from the album, which was released on 8 September, 2001. The song was written and produced...
". The video features Minogue in a computer generated futuristic city, arriving in a space-age car, seductively and rhythmically shifting the gearstick as she drives, before eventually dancing in a clipped pulsating style in front of a group of male dancers all wearing bizarre red plastic headgear. The video is well known for its tight choreography as well as for featuring Minogue in a deceptively revealing white costume with a plunging neckline and wide open front. The video was quickly picked up by many music video channels and is credited with making the song a number one hit worldwide. The exposure from the video quickly made Shadforth a "must have" director, and the film has been widely mimicked and parodied.
She also directed the award-winning promo film for "The Importance of Being Idle
The Importance of Being Idle (song)
"The Importance of Being Idle" is a song by the English rock band Oasis from their sixth album, Don't Believe the Truth, written and sung by lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was the second single released from the album in the UK, on 22 August 2005, where it debuted at number one...
", the acclaimed second single from 2005's comeback album by Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
, Don't Believe the Truth
Don't Believe the Truth
Don't Believe the Truth is the sixth studio album by English rock band Oasis, released on 30 May 2005. It reached number 1 in the UK Albums Chart with first week sales of just under 238,000, and is the 32nd fastest selling album ever in the UK. The album entered the U.S...
. The film was a clever pastiche of 1960s black and white kitchen-sink drama films, featuring a parade of high-kicking undertakers, led by the Welsh actor Rhys Ifans
Rhys Ifans
Rhys Ifans is a Welsh actor and musician. He is known for his portrayal of characters such as Spike in Notting Hill and Jed Parry in Enduring Love and as a member of the Welsh rock groups Super Furry Animals and The Peth. Ifans also appeared as Xenophilius Lovegood in Harry Potter and the Deathly...
. (The name of the undertaking firm featured in the video is 'Shadforth and Sons'). The band themselves praised the video, and it was said by critics at the time to be the best video Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
had ever made. It went on to win the award for Best Video of 2005 at the NME Awards
NME Awards
The NME Awards is an annual music awards show in the United Kingdom, founded by the music magazine, NME .The first awards show was held in 1953 as the NME Poll Winners Concerts, shortly after the founding of the magazine....
in early 2006, and the song itself went to Number 1.
Shadforth has dabbled into directing commercials but did not like the experience. She has said that she happier directing music videos because she loves music and is "motivated by music and that's the reason I'm a music video director as opposed to any other kind of director, for me it's an end in itself, something I'll hopefully do for years to come." She has over recent years been offered film scripts and has turned them down, but has not ruled out film directing for the future.
Selected director videography
- "SpecialSpecial (Garbage song)"Special" is an alternative rock song written, performed and produced by Garbage, and was the third international single to be released from the band's platinum second album Version 2.0...
" - GarbageGarbage (band)Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
(1998) - "Beat Goes On" - All Seeing IAll Seeing IThe All Seeing I is an English electronic music group from Sheffield, comprising Dean Honer, Jason Buckle and DJ Parrot...
(1998) - "Rewind (Find a Way)" - Beverley KnightBeverley KnightBeverley Knight MBE is a British soul and R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer who released her debut album in 1995. Heavily influenced by soul greats such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, Knight has released six studio albums to date...
(1998) - "King for a Day" - JamiroquaiJamiroquaiJamiroquai is a British jazz funk and acid jazz band formed in 1992. Jamiroquai were initially the most prominent component in the early-1990s London-based acid jazz movement, alongside groups such as Incognito, the James Taylor Quartet, and the Brand New Heavies. Other Acid Jazz artists such as...
(1999) - "What'Cha Gonna Do" - EternalEternal (band)Eternal were an English R&B girl group formed in 1992. The group featured two sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett, alongside Kelle Bryan and Louise Nurding...
(1999) - "Sing It BackSing It Back"Sing It Back" is a song written and performed by Moloko . It first appeared in its original version on Moloko's second album, I Am Not a Doctor...
" - MolokoMolokoMoloko were an Anglo-Irish electronic/pop duo consisting of Róisín Murphy from Wicklow, Ireland and Mark Brydon, from Sunderland, England.- Origin of band name :...
(1999) - "Spinning AroundSpinning Around"Spinning Around" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue. It was written by Ira Shickman, Osborne Bingham, Kara DioGuardi, and Paula Abdul, and produced by Mike Spencer. It was originally intended for Paula Abdul's "comeback" album. However, as the album never came into fruition, it...
" - Kylie MinogueKylie MinogueKylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
(2000) - "Bag It UpBag It Up"Bag It Up" is a pop–dance song recorded by Geri Halliwell. It was released on 13 March 2000 as the fourth and final single from Halliwell's debut solo album Schizophonic . It became Halliwell's third solo number one single in the United Kingdom selling 255,516 copies in total being certified Silver...
" - Geri HalliwellGeri HalliwellGeraldine Estelle "Geri" Halliwell is an English pop singer-songwriter, author and actress. After coming to international prominence in the late 1990s as Ginger Spice, a member of the girl group the Spice Girls, Halliwell launched her solo career in 1998 and released her album Schizophonic...
(2000) - "Can't Get You Out of My HeadCan't Get You out of My Head"Can't Get You Out of My Head" is a song by Australian recording artist and songwriter Kylie Minogue, which was released from her eighth studio album Fever . The song was released worldwide as the lead single from the album, which was released on 8 September, 2001. The song was written and produced...
" - Kylie MinogueKylie MinogueKylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
(2001) - "Living in a Magazine" - Zoot WomanZoot WomanZoot Woman are a British electronic music band consisting of Adam Blake, Johnny Blake and Stuart Price.Known for their live shows, the group has gained a worldwide following. With the album Living In A Magazine Zoot Woman established themselves on the music scene.Credited by many within the...
(2001) - "Miss Lucifer" - Primal ScreamPrimal ScreamPrimal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
(2002) - "In Your EyesIn Your Eyes (Kylie Minogue song)"In Your Eyes" is a song performed by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue from her eighth studio album Fever. ""In Your Eyes" was written by Minogue, Richard Stannard, Julian Gallagher and Ash Howes. It was produced by Stannard and Gallagher...
" - Kylie MinogueKylie MinogueKylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
(2002) - "Weak Become Heroes" - The StreetsThe StreetsThe Streets were a British rap/garage project from Birmingham, United Kingdom, led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Skinner and has included a myriad of other contributors most notably drummer Johnny Drum Machine, vocalist Kevin Mark Trail and the Italian-American beatmaker Leroy.The...
(2002) - "Grey Day" - Zoot WomanZoot WomanZoot Woman are a British electronic music band consisting of Adam Blake, Johnny Blake and Stuart Price.Known for their live shows, the group has gained a worldwide following. With the album Living In A Magazine Zoot Woman established themselves on the music scene.Credited by many within the...
(2003) - "TrainTrain (Goldfrapp song)"Train" is an electronic dance song written by British group Goldfrapp for their second album Black Cherry . The song was produced by Goldfrapp and received a very positive reception from music critics. It was released as the lead single in the second quarter of 2003 and reached the top thirty in...
" - GoldfrappGoldfrappGoldfrapp are an English electronic music duo, formed in 1999 in London, England, that consists of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory ....
(2003) - "Kick ItKick It"Kick It" is a collaboration between Peaches and Iggy Pop and is the third single from the album Fatherfucker.-Critical reception:Tim Jonze of NME commented that the song is "splattered with sleaze and sharp as a blade," and that "this is rock'n'roll how it should be played." Conversely, Heather...
- PeachesPeaches (musician)Merrill Beth Nisker , better known by her stage name Peaches, is a Canadian electronic musician and performance artist who lives in Berlin, Germany. Her songs are noted for disregarding traditional gender norms and their use of sexually explicit lyrics...
(2004) - "French KissesFrench Kisses"French Kisses" is Jentina's second single, only released in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It is written by Jentina and Cathy Dennis with an electro-hop/R&B vibe....
" - JentinaJentinaJentina Rose Chapman professionally known as Jentina, is a British Hip hop/R&B singer, rapper, songwriter and model of Gypsy descent.-Biography:...
(2004) - "ChocolateChocolate (Kylie Minogue song)"Chocolate" is a slow pop–dance song written by British songwriters Karen Poole and Johnny Douglas for Kylie Minogue's ninth studio album Body Language . It also was produced by Douglas and received a mixed reception from music critics...
" - Kylie MinogueKylie MinogueKylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
(2004) - "Who Is It" - BjörkBjörkBjörk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
(2004) - "Number 1" - GoldfrappGoldfrappGoldfrapp are an English electronic music duo, formed in 1999 in London, England, that consists of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory ....
(2005) - "The Importance of Being IdleThe Importance of Being Idle (song)"The Importance of Being Idle" is a song by the English rock band Oasis from their sixth album, Don't Believe the Truth, written and sung by lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was the second single released from the album in the UK, on 22 August 2005, where it debuted at number one...
" - OasisOasis (band)Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
(2005) - "Ooh La La" - GoldfrappGoldfrappGoldfrapp are an English electronic music duo, formed in 1999 in London, England, that consists of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory ....
(2005) - "Lights" - Scissor SistersScissor SistersScissor Sisters are an American band "spawned by the scuzzy, gay nightlife scene of New York" who took their name from a sexual position between two women also known as tribadism...
(2006) - "2 Hearts2 Hearts"2 Hearts" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue from her tenth studio album, X . The song is a cover version of a track originally recorded by Kish Mauve, who also produced Minogue's version. "2 Hearts" was Minogue's first commercial single release since she was diagnosed with...
" - Kylie MinogueKylie MinogueKylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
(2007) - "Drumming SongDrumming Song"Drumming Song" is the fourth single released from Lungs, the 2009 debut album by Florence and the Machine. The song was released on Island Records on 13 September 2009 in the UK. The song is also the band's second consecutive single to be A-listed on BBC Radio 1...
" - Florence + the Machine (2009) - "Wonderful LifeWonderful Life (Hurts song)"Wonderful Life" is a song by English synthpop duo Hurts from their debut album, Happiness. It was released as their debut single in Denmark on 3 May 2010, and was released as their second single in the United Kingdom on 22 August 2010. The song peaked at number two in Germany, and reached top ten...
" - HurtsHurtsHurts are a British synthpop duo formed in 2009, consisting of singer Theo Hutchcraft and synthesist Adam Anderson . Their debut album Happiness, which was released in September 2010, has reached the Top 10 in 12 European countries, and has sold over 800,000 copies worldwide...
(2010) - "Shake It OutShake It Out"Shake It Out" is a song by English indie rock band Florence and the Machine released as the first official single from their second studio album Ceremonials . It was written by Florence Welch and Paul Epworth, while production was handled by Epworth. The song was digitally released in Australia on...
" - Florence + The Machine (2011)
External links
- Official site at Black Dog Films (US)/RSA
- Dawn Shadforth at Clipland