Melina Matsoukas

Melina Matsoukas (born January 14, 1981) is an American music video director.

Life and career

Matsoukas is of Greek, Jewish, Jamaican and Cuban descent.^[1] Both her name and surname are Greek: Μελίνα Ματσούκα. She is a graduate of the American Film Institute and New York University. Her graduate thesis there was on music videos.^[2]

Matsoukas started out at the now-defunct Gorilla Flix film production company, and currently works for Black Dog Films/RSA, which she has been signed to since 2006.

Her work is described as, "chalk full [sic] of bright colors or crisp black and white images, smooth spotlights, and tasteful retro video models."^[3] Matsoukas says that expensive equipment is not necessary for a quality video and one should never think that way: "A good video has the right visuals, a well conceptualised story and should be exciting and elicit reaction."^[4] In an interview for Venus Zine's Fall 2010 issue, she says about being part of the music video world, "I love it. The quick turnaround, the creativity."^[5] Regarding the concept of Solange Knowles' video "I Decided", Matsoukas stated: "This is her concept so I've definitely just developed it and put my mark on it."^[6]

Music video filmography

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

2006

• "Dem Girls" - Red Handed feat. Paul Wall & Scooby
• "Go 'Head" - Ali & Gipp feat. Chocolate Tai
• "Need a Boss" - Shareefa feat. Ludacris
• "Cry No More" - Shareefa
• "Hey Hey" - 216
• "Money Maker" - Ludacris feat. Pharrell
• "Dangerous" - Ying Yang Twins feat. Wyclef Jean
• "Help" - Lloyd Banks feat. Keri Hilson

2007

• "Because of You" - Ne-Yo
• "Green Light" - Beyoncé
• "Kitty Kat" (co-directed by Beyoncé Knowles) - Beyoncé
• "Suga Mama" (co-directed by Beyoncé Knowles) - Beyoncé
• "Upgrade U" (co-directed by Beyoncé Knowles) - Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
• "Tambourine" - Eve feat. Swizz Beatz
• "Do You" - Ne-Yo
• "Give It to You" - Eve feat. Sean Paul
• "Bleeding Love" - Leona Lewis (UK version)
• "Hold It Don't Drop It" - Jennifer Lopez
• "Sensual Seduction" - Snoop Dogg
• "How Do I Breathe" - Mario

2008

• "In My Arms" - Kylie Minogue
• "Wow" - Kylie Minogue
• "Modern World" - Anouk
• "Closer" - Ne-Yo
• "I Decided" - Solange
• "Just Dance" - Lady Gaga feat. Colby O'Donis
• "Energy" - Keri Hilson
• "Good Good - Ashanti
• "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich" - Lady Gaga
• "Go Girl" - Ciara feat. T-Pain
• "Return The Favor" - Keri Hilson feat. Timbaland
• "Diva" - Beyoncé
• "Thinking of You" - Katy Perry

2009

• "I Will Be" - Leona Lewis
• "So Good" - Electrik Red
• "Not Fair" - Lily Allen
• "Sweet Dreams" (I Am... Tour interlude video) - Beyoncé
• "Touch My Hand" - David Archuleta
• "Work" - Ciara feat. Missy Elliott
• "I Look To You" - Whitney Houston
• "Million Dollar Bill" - Whitney Houston
• "Sex Therapy" - Robin Thicke
• "Never Knew I Needed" - Ne-Yo
• "Hard" - Rihanna feat. Young Jeezy

2010

• "Rude Boy" - Rihanna
• "Put It in a Love Song" - Alicia Keys feat. Beyoncé
• "Why Don't You Love Me" (co-directed by Beyoncé Knowles) - Beyoncé
• "Rockstar 101" - Rihanna feat. Slash
• "Gimmie Dat" - Ciara

2011

• "S&M" (co-directed by Rihanna) - Rihanna
• "Move Your Body" - Beyoncé
• "I'm Into You" - Jennifer Lopez feat. Lil Wayne
• "We Found Love" - Rihanna
• "You Da One" - Rihanna

References

1. ^ http://www.honeymag.com/2010/uncategorized/females-freakin-the-industry/
2. ^ Kamuzu Banda, Tim. Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 22:01. "Video queen: Melina Matsoukas", Daily Nation.
3. ^ "Visionary: Melina Matsoukas", WatchLookListen.
4. ^ "Video queen: Melina Matsoukas", p. 2
5. ^ "Venus Zine: Melina Matsoukas" Venus Zine Fall 2010 Issue No. 44
6. ^ "Dir. Melina Matsoukas, on the video concept", Truveo.

External links

• Official site at Black Dog Films/RSA
• Melina Matsoukas at the Internet Movie Database
• Melina Matsoukas (Melina) at Music Video Database
• Melina Matsoukas at Clipland
• Melina Matsoukas on Twitter
• Melina Matsoukas on Facebook

Persondata
Name	Matsoukas, Melina
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Date of birth	January 14, 1981
Place of birth
Date of death
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