SHOTS / Playlist: Micheal Newton
21st April 2022 / Daniel Huntley
We chat to the Greatcoat Films music video executive producer Micheal Newton about diversity behind the camera, some great music videos and keeping things private…
What’s the best music video you’ve seen recently and why?
The ‘best’ mmm, I feel like every week/month the best video is dropped.
I really liked the Berwyn –MIA video, I think the visual matches the feel and tone of the song. I wanted to say the best video I have seen recently is Potter Payper –Gangsteritus from Shan Phearon but I thought that would be cheating as he’s one of the many talented directors at Greatcoat.
What’s the first music video you remember being impressed by?
This is a tough one, I could say any Missy Elliot or Micheal Jackson video.Smooth Criminal had me practising dance moves in the living room, everything about that video is amazing.
And what’s your all-time favourite music video?
Kendrick Lamar –ELEMENT.
What other directors/artists do you look to for inspiration?
Mmmm no one really, I draw inspiration from music and everyday life, things I experience or see.
Artists like Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, George the Poet, Kano can invoke a message that can inspire a story in me.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Kojey Radical – Reason to Smile and Benny The Butcher – Tana Talk 4.
What’s your favourite bit of tech, whether for professional or personal use?
Can I be boring and say my phone? It has everything I need, games, contact, information, music, memories etc.
What artist(s) would you most like to work with and why?
USA: Kendrick, J Cole and Doja Cat.
UK: Ghetts and Kano, These are two legends I have grown up watching and listening to them, both have great creative vision and the message in their music is something I can get behind most times.
How do you feel the promo industry has changed since you started in it?
I think we are in a stage where people are able to step up quicker than normal and able to get more opportunities, we will see if this is a good or bad thing later.
Seems to be a lot more work going around now, than when I first started.
I am still young in this industry haven’t been here long enough to tell you much about what has changed.
Where do you see the music video industry being in five years’ time?
Five years’ time, good question… hopefully, sets being diversified on screen and behind the camera.
Allowing more people from working-class backgrounds a chance to break into the industry.
Tell us one thing about yourself that most people won’t know…
I rather not, people can find me on my socials and question me there, anything they want to know I will speak there.
I like to keep most things about me private when/where I can.
