Playlist: Samuel Bayer

What’s the best music video you’ve seen recently and why?

I liked Gesaffelstein - Hate or Glory because it was just so damn weird.

What’s the first music video you remember being impressed by?

Peter Gabriel - Shock The Monkey.

And what’s your all-time favourite music video?

If you mean one that I’ve directed, I’d say Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit. 

If you mean favourite music video generally, then it’s got to be Elvis Presley - ‘68 Comeback Special, reclaiming his crown… badass.

What other directors/artists do you look to for inspiration?

I look at movies and paintings. I like going back to the past. Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory. 

Charles Laughton’s Night of the Hunter with Robert Mitchum is basically a gorgeous black and white music video.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Whatever my ten-year-old puts on the radio.

What’s your favourite bit of tech, whether for professional or personal use?

I love the new KOMODO RED 6K camera. It’s a mini weapon of incredible tech, a really inexpensive mini cam that opens doors for many cinematographers to do amazing work that you couldn’t do five years ago

What artist(s) would you most like to work with and why?

I got to hang out with Bono one night… he was amazing. I’d love to make a U2 video.

How do you feel the promo industry has changed since you started in it?

No more MTV. I think the stakes have changed considerably and artists have taken control of their own careers. Days of corporate decisions are gone.