Music Video Spotlight: Rik Cordero
For our third annual Music Video Show, we welcome back two time music video winner, Rik Cordero!
Please introduce yourself: Your name, occupation if not a full-time filmmaker,
and where you are based.
My name is Rik Cordero and I'm a local New York guerilla filmmaker. I wrote
and directed my first feature film, a prescription drug drama “Mend” in 2004
and have shot and directed several music videos, short films and documentaries
including the recent “Brooklyn Bull****” (Joell Ortiz) for Aftermath
Entertainment, “Uncle Rahiem” (Consequence) for Sony Music, “Party Like A
Rockstar Remix” (Hot Dollar) for Island/DefJam, “Drumming With Jenz Hannemann”
(starring Fred Armisen from SNL), the breakup comedy “This Actually Happened”
and the surreal “Buru Sera”, about the trafficking of used panties by
schoolgirls in Japan. I'm also the founder and executive producer of New York
based, renegade production company Three/21 Films. I'm currently in
pre-production with my second feature titled "Inside A Change" about a young
man who must reconcile with his family and friends while planning a surprise
birthday party for his mother before leaving for prison. The film stars Al
Thompson (Liberty Kid, A Walk to Remember, Royal Tennenbaums) and Jamie Hector
(The Wire, Blackout, Paid in Full). We're set to begin principal photography
at the end of August.
What is your interest in music videos? How many videos have you made?
Music to me is the fastest way to receive a strong emotion so that pretty much
dictates my whole process. I guess its more about feeling and grasping for
something deeper rather than relying on the obvious imagery. Since 2004 I've
made over 50 music videos and shorts. I also have a strong affection for
musicians and actors so I try my best to show a lot of heart in every video.
With or without a budget, you gotta love it.
Who or what are some of the creative influences that have had the biggest
impact on you?
There's too many to list but off the top of my head I'd say my biggest
creative influences are Robert Rodriguez, Steven Soderbergh, Spike Jonze, Mark
Romanek, Darren Aronofsky and Matthew Libatique. On a personal level, my
strongest creative influences are my family and friends.
Top 5 music videos of all time...
1. 1979 - Smashing Pumpkins (dir: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Farris)
2. Sabotage - Beastie Boys (dir: Spike Jonze)
3. The Universal - Blur (dir: Jonathan Glazer)
4. Hurt - Johnny Cash (dir: Mark Romanek)
5. 99 Problems - Jay-Z (dir: Mark Romanek)
You've won the grand prize two years in a row at our music video program, what
do you have lined up for this year's? Will we see a hat trick?
This year I've submitted the music video "Closer" by Blakkout. Blakkout was a
friend of mine who died in a murder/suicide in 2004. A few years ago I used to
produce music and the song "Closer" was the last song we recorded together.
His death catapulted my hunger to capture the human condition and the video
will give you a glimpse into his life and our artistic bond. If it's a hat
trick I'll probably retire.
The MUSIC VIDEO SHOW is on Friday July 27 at 7:00PM at Asia Society!