Published: Friday - March 11, 2005
Words by Matt Barone
Dave Meyers (Photo: BallerStatus (file))
Having won numerous MTV Video Music Awards and appearing on "MTV Cribs," Dave Meyers' resume transcends basic practices of your standard music video director. The Berkeley, California native has successfully evolved a love for the art of film into a lucrative, and thoroughly enjoyable, career throughout 30-plus years of life. With clips for the likes of Missy Elliot, Ludacris, Pink, and No Doubt consistently raising the bar of visual song accompaniment, few video shot callers have amounted as diverse of a clientele list as Meyers.
Growing up with multiple viewings of favorite movies such as "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Do The Right Thing," Meyers enrolled into LMU Film School upon graduation from high school. Once the degree was acquired, he worked his way through the studio systems at Paramount and Fox, all with his eyes on the prize of respect within the filmmaking circuit. In 1997, Meyers shot his first music video for Cali underground crew The Whoridas, for their sleeper hit "Big Ballin' and Shot Callin'." From that point on, it's been little less than TRL staples and heavy rotation for his work.
Currently showing interest in stretching his abilities by making movies and commercials, Meyers has plans to show his diversity behind the camera's lens. As the video for Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz' "Real N---- Roll Call" makes clear, though, your favorite recording artists need not worry of any apparent retirement from MTV and BET upgrading.
BallerStatus.com: How did you get your first break into the industry?
Dave Meyers: My first break was from a guy named Paul Stewart, who believed in me after watching a video I did in high school. He kept his word and gave me my first paid music video. From there the next big break was aligning with Kid Rock, who I worked with to gain some experience before venturing off on my own.
BallerStatus.com: What went through your head the first time you saw a video of yours on MTV or BET?
Dave Meyers: It was wild to see my name up there with all the other names. To see my work and be able to call people to tell them to watch; it was all good. Had no idea I'd go on to have 5 videos of mine play in a row. I never would have believed it.
BallerStatus.com: Many of your videos are real creative, particularly ones you shot for Missy and Ludacris. Where do you draw ideas from mainly when planning a video?
Dave Meyers: Well, I'm a wild and crazy guy. And so are Missy and Ludacris. When working with them I'm aware that they respond to way out stuff, so I go for it. I usually will adapt my ideas to the tone of the artists. If they are gritty and real, I'll find something in the real world to entice me, and if they are fantastical, then well, fantasy is second nature for me.
BallerStatus.com: Do you feel innovation is being practiced enough in today's music videos?
Dave Meyers: I think innovation is always practiced at some level in videos because you are never given the appropriate funds to do it right, so new and different ways of getting visuals accomplished are achieved everyday. I think there is always about 80 percent of the music videos playing that are lousy. That's sort of the fall off of the fact that videos are a beginning filmmaking medium. So, it's where the talented ones can learn how to express themselves, and the untalented are weeded out. There is also a tendency with artists/labels to be conservative about the ideas unless a director is proven to be able to handle outside the box ideas, which was the case for me earlier in my career. Missy really allowed me to expand the horizons of the MTV audience and gave way to many artists trusting me with whatever direction they chose.
BallerStatus.com: What goes through your mind when you see BET Uncut type videos, where the budget is low and the ass is high?
Dave Meyers: Well, I think it's just another type of video. I wouldn't really compare it to any real video, but like rock and porn, rap and strippers go hand in hand. So it makes sense that videos like that are desired and enjoyed. I don't think those videos are at the front line of creative work, but like movies with different genres, like comedy, drama, and porno, so are videos categorized.
BallerStatus.com: You directed the 1999 Eddie Griffin comedy "Foolish." Do you have plans of directing any more films?
Dave Meyers: I have plans to return to films, but really don't want to jump the gun. I would like to have the film be an important film to me, and a story I'm passionate about. It's hard to find scripts like that. I've begun writing my own scripts in hopes that maybe that is the solution to my search.
BallerStatus.com: Have any film makers been influential to you? If so, who and why?
Dave Meyers: Steven Speilberg with his transcendent story telling, Scorsese with his skill for the filmmaking medium. Spike Lee for his passion in remaining true to himself and his expressions and for his resilience in the face of impossible odds.
BallerStatus.com: I've heard that you have interest in directing commercials. What is it about commercials that have an appeal to you?
Dave Meyers: Commercials are the finest form of filmmaking. They allow you the most time to "prep" the creative and generally allow for very comfortable shooting schedules. I've been fortunate to have been exposed to great ideas for commercials. I suppose that also has biased me, because I've found it a great next step from music videos. The quality of life is better too. I shoot 10 hour days instead of 20 hour days. So I can have a "after work" life as well which is becoming increasingly important as I journey through life.
BallerStatus.com: At this point in your career, what has been the highlight of it so far?
Dave Meyers: The highlight? My life has been extraordinary. I feel lucky to have experienced so many great moments. It's certainly balanced with tough moments. I guess the highlight is the opportunity to have worked with so many diverse artists each with their own life force and perspectives on the world and being able to develop a summary for the human artistic experience. I feel very complete as a human being having seen all that I have seen.
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