Paul Hunter (director)
Paul Hunter | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Born | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupations | Film director, screenwriter, music video director, |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Website | Official |
Paul Hunter is an Emmy[1]-nominated American filmmaker and co-founder [2] of commercial production company PRETTYBIRD,[3] which represents directors including Melina Matsoukas and the Oscar-winning duo Daniels.
Career
Hunter has directed global commercial campaigns for Nike, Sony, Adidas, Apple, Audi, Microsoft, Bacardi, McDonalds, the Los Angeles Rams, and T-Mobile. In 2001, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for Nike's Freestyle[4] commercial.[5][6]
In 2018, Billboard included four of Hunter's music videos on their list of "The 100 Greatest Music Videos of the 21st Century: Critics’ Picks".[7] In 2004, the Washington Post called Hunter one of the "most seminal names among black hip-hop directors."[8]
Selected music video credits
| Year | Artist | Song | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Twinz | "Eastside LB" | |
| 1996 | Keith Sweat | "Twisted" | |
| 1996 | Keith Sweat | "Nobody" | |
| 1996 | Keith Sweat | "Just a Touch" | |
| 1996 | Snoop Dogg | "Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto" | |
| 1996 | Aaliyah | "One in a Million" | |
| 1996 | Aaliyah | "Got to Give It Up" | |
| 1996 | Erykah Badu | "On & On" | MVPA Award for Best Urban/R&B Video Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video |
| 1997 | Aaliyah | "One in a Million" (Remix) | Video features singers Ginuwine, Missy Elliott, and producer Timbaland |
| 1997 | Snoop Dogg | "Vapors" | |
| 1997 | Whitney Houston | "Step by Step" | |
| 1997 | Zhané | "Request Line" | |
| 1997 | Warren G | "I Shot the Sheriff" | |
| 1997 | Heavy D | "Big Daddy" | |
| 1997 | Adriana Evans | "Seein' Is Believing" | |
| 1997 | Mary J. Blige and Nas | "Love Is All We Need" | |
| 1997 | Brownstone | "5 Miles to Empty" | |
| 1997 | Scarface featuring Makaveli and Johnny P | "Smile" | |
| 1997 | Zhane | "Crush" | |
| 1997 | Lauryn Hill | "The Sweetest Thing" | |
| 1997 | Blackstreet featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard, Slash, and Fishbone | "Fix" | |
| 1997 | Tamia | "Make Tonight Beautiful" | |
| 1997 | Mariah Carey | "Honey" | |
| 1997 | Mariah Carey featuring Puff Daddy, The Lox, and Mase | "Honey" (Bad Boy Remix) | Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video |
| 1997 | Puff Daddy featuring Mase | "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" | |
| 1997 | Pras featuring Mýa Ol’ Dirty Bastard | "Ghetto Superstar (That Is What You Are)" | |
| 1997 | Puff Daddy featuring The Lox and Lil' Kim | "It's All About the Benjamins" | |
| 1997 | The Black Eyed Peas | "Joints & Jams" | |
| 1997 | Puff Daddy featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Mase | "Been Around the World" | |
| 1997 | The Notorious B.I.G. | "Hypnotize" | MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video |
| 1997 | New Kids on the Block | "What It Is" | |
| 1997 | LL Cool J | "Phenomenon" | |
| 1997 | Boyz II Men | "4 Seasons of Loneliness" | |
| 1997 | Mack 10 featuring Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube | "Only in California" | |
| 1997 | Laurneá | "Infatuation" | |
| 1997 | LSG featuring Busta Rhymes and LL Cool J and MC Lyte | "Curious" | |
| 1997 | Salt-N-Pepa | "Gitty Up" | |
| 1998 | Jermaine Dupri featuring Da Brat and Usher | "The Party Continues" | |
| 1998 | Queen Latifah | "Paper" | |
| 1998 | LL Cool J | "Hot Hot Hot" | |
| 1998 | Joydrop | "Beautiful" | |
| 1998 | Babyface | "You Were There" | |
| 1998 | Brandy featuring Mase | "Top of the World" | |
| 1998 | Boyz II Men | "Can't Let Her Go" | |
| 1998 | Tamia | "Imagination" | |
| 1998 | Ice Cube | "We Be Clubbin'" | |
| 1998 | Janet Jackson | "I Get Lonely" | |
| 1998 | Janet Jackson featuring Blackstreet | "I Get Lonely" (TNT Remix) | |
| 1998 | Busta Rhymes | "Turn It Up (Remix)/Fire It Up" | |
| 1998 | Usher | "My Way" | |
| 1998 | Missy Elliott featuring Timbaland and Mocha | "Hit Em wit da Hee" | |
| 1998 | Marilyn Manson | "The Dope Show" | MVPA Award for Rock Video of the Year MVPA Award for Best Direction of a Music Video[9] |
| 1998 | Marilyn Manson | "I Don't Like the Drugs (But the Drugs Like Me)" | |
| 1998 | Everclear | "Father of Mine" | |
| 1998 | A Tribe Called Quest | "Find a Way" | |
| 1998 | Hole | "Malibu" | |
| 1998 | Lenny Kravitz | "Fly Away" | Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video |
| 1999 | Faith Evans featuring Puff Daddy | "All Night Long" | |
| 1999 | Warren G featuring Mack 10 | "I Want It All" | |
| 1999 | Keith Sweat | "I'm Not Ready" | |
| 1999 | Matchbox Twenty | "Back 2 Good" | |
| 1999 | Will Smith featuring Dru Hill and Kool Moe Dee | "Wild Wild West" | Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film |
| 1999 | Jennifer Lopez | "If You Had My Love" | Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video |
| 1999 | Lenny Kravitz | "American Woman" | |
| 1999 | Enrique Iglesias | "Bailamos" | |
| 1999 | TLC | "Unpretty" | Nominated – Grammy Award for Best Music Video |
| 1999 | Reel Tight | "Reasons" | |
| 1999 | AMyth | 1, 2, 3 | |
| 1999 | Puff Daddy featuring Mario Winans | "Best Friend" | |
| 1999 | D'Angelo | "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" | MVPA Award for Best Direction of a Male Video Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction |
| 2000 | Jennifer Lopez featuring Big Pun and Fat Joe | "Feelin' So Good" | |
| 2000 | Will Smith | "Freakin' It" | |
| 2000 | Brian McKnight | "Stay or Let It Go" | |
| 2000 | Kelis | "Get Along with You" | |
| 2000 | Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg | "The Next Episode" | |
| 2000 | Eminem | "The Way I Am" | |
| 2000 | Christina Aguilera | "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" | |
| 2000 | Lenny Kravitz | "Again" | Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video |
| 2000 | Deftones | "Back to School (Mini Maggit)"[10] | |
| 2000 | Tamia | "Stranger in My House" | |
| 2000 | A Perfect Circle | "3 Libras"[11] | |
| 2000 | Faith Hill | "Where Are You, Christmas?" | |
| 2000 | Jennifer Lopez | "Love Don't Cost a Thing" | Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video |
| 2001 | Jay-Z featuring R. Kelly | "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" | MVPA Awards – Hollywood Digital Award for Rap Video of the Year |
| 2001 | Aaliyah | "We Need a Resolution" | |
| 2001 | Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Lil' Kim, and P!nk | "Lady Marmalade" | MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video[12] |
| 2001 | Sunshine Anderson | "Lunch or Dinner" | |
| 2001 | Michael Jackson | "You Rock My World" | Video features actors Marlon Brando, Chris Tucker, Michael Madsen, Billy Drago and introducing Kishaya Dudley |
| 2003 | Eminem | "Superman" | |
| 2003 | Britney Spears featuring Madonna | "Me Against the Music"[13] | |
| 2003 | Justin Timberlake | "Señorita"[14] | Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video |
| 2003 | Justin Timberlake | "I'm Lovin' It" | |
| 2003 | Tamia | "Officially Missing You" | |
| 2003 | Ashanti | "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)" | Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video |
| 2003 | Joe Budden featuring Busta Rhymes | "Fire (Yes, Yes Y'all)"[15] | Co-directed with Kevin Hunter |
| 2003 | Mýa | "My Love Is Like...Wo" | |
| 2003 | Tyrese | "Signs of Love Making" | |
| 2003 | Pharrell featuring Jay-Z | "Frontin'" | Video features models Lanisha Cole and Lauren London |
| 2004 | N.E.R.D | "Maybe" | |
| 2004 | Van Hunt | "Down Here in Hell (With You)" | |
| 2004 | Mos Def | "Sex, Love & Money"[16] | |
| 2004 | Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell | "Drop It Like It's Hot" | Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video |
| 2005 | Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell | "Let's Get Blown" | |
| 2005 | Snoop Dogg featuring Charlie Wilson and Justin Timberlake | "Signs"[17] | |
| 2005 | Gwen Stefani | "Hollaback Girl"[18] | Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video Nominated – MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video Nominated – MVPA Award for Best Pop Video |
| 2005 | Will Smith | "Switch" | |
| 2005 | Will Smith | "Party Starter"[19] | |
| 2005 | The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes | "Don't Cha" | |
| 2005 | Stevie Wonder | "So What the Fuss"[20] | MVPA Award for R&B Video of the Year[21] |
| 2005 | Common | "Be" | |
| 2005 | Pharrell featuring Gwen Stefani | "Can I Have It Like That"[22] | |
| 2005 | Warren G featuring Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and B-Real | "Get U Down" | |
| 2005 | Mariah Carey | "Don't Forget About Us"[23] | |
| 2006 | Mariah Carey featuring Snoop Dogg | "Say Somethin'"[24] | |
| 2006 | Jamie Foxx featuring Twista | "DJ Play a Love Song"[25] | |
| 2006 | Jamie Foxx | "Extravaganza" | |
| 2006 | Mary J. Blige featuring U2 | "One" | |
| 2006 | Outkast | "Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry 'Bout Me)" | |
| 2006 | Warren G featuring Nate Dogg | "I Need a Light" | |
| 2006 | Justin Timberlake featuring T.I. | "My Love" | MVPA Award for Best Direction of a Male Artist[26] |
| 2007 | Nicole Scherzinger | "Whatever U Like"[27] | |
| 2009 | Chester French | "She Loves Everybody"[28] | |
| 2009 | Mishon | "Just a Kiss"[29] | |
| 2009 | Jeremih | "Birthday Sex"[30] | |
| 2009 | Keri Hilson | "Slow Dance" | |
| 2009 | The All-American Rejects | "I Wanna"[31] | |
| 2009 | Snoop Dogg featuring The-Dream | "Gangsta Luv"[32] | |
| 2010 | Kesha | "Take It Off"[33] | Co-directed by Dori Oskowitz |
| 2010 | Maroon 5 | "Give a Little More" | |
| 2010 | N.E.R.D | "Hypnotize U"[34] | |
| 2011 | Lenny Kravitz | "Stand"[35] | |
| 2011 | Nicole Scherzinger | "Right There"[36] | |
| 2011 | Jennifer Lopez | "Papi"[37] | |
| 2012 | Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull | "Dance Again"[38] | |
| 2015 | Tyrese | "Shame"[39] | |
| 2015 | Pharrell | "Freedom"[40] | Nominated – Grammy Award for Best Music Video[41] |
| 2018 | Justin Timberlake | "Man of the Woods"[42] |
Filmography
- Bulletproof Monk (2003)
- Government Cheese (2025)
Awards
Commercials
- 2010 - London International Advertising Awards - Bronze Television/Cinema/ Digital/Web/Mobile - Axe: "Destiny" (Director)[43]
- 2010 - Cannes Lion International Festival of Creativity - Bronze Award: Product & Service/Cosmetics & Beauty - Axe: "Destiny" (Director)[44]
- 2013 - Samsung Galaxy Note 3 TV Commercial / Digital Short Film (Director)[45][46]
References
- ^ "Dailymotion". www.dailymotion.com. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
- ^ "Prettybird's top talents shaped the year's biggest ideas". Ad Age. 2021-06-07. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
- ^ "PRETTYBIRD". www.prettybird.co. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ^ Elliott, Stuart (2001-04-10). "THE MEDIA BUSINESS: ADVERTISING; Nike makes a commercial that resembles a music video, and hopes it is viewed as such". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
- ^ "Making of NIKE Freestyle Commercial". www.dailymotion.com. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
- ^ "Q&A: Director Paul Hunter Revisits His Famous 2001 Nike Basketball Freestyle Commercial". VICE. 2015-06-03. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
- ^ Billboard Staff (2018-07-24). "The 100 Greatest Music Videos of the 21st Century: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
- ^ Nguyen, Tommy (August 15, 2004). "Cut to the Directors". Washington Post. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
'Historically, I've seen more African American directors break into the music video industry through hip-hop and urban music, and that's a good thing,' says Scott Edelstein, a former head of music video production for HSI Productions, the company that once repped Hype Williams and still houses Paul Hunter, the two most seminal names among black hip-hop directors.
- ^ "MVPA Awards - Categories". MVPA. Archived from the original on April 20, 1999. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Mancini, Robert (October 13, 2000). "Deftones To Unveil Tour, New Video". MTV. Archived from the original on November 9, 2001. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ Mancini, Robert (October 3, 2000). "A Perfect Circle Readies "3 Libras" Video". MTV. Archived from the original on February 3, 2002. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ "2001 MTV Video Music Awards - Highlights, Winners, Performers and Photos from the 2001 MTV VMAs". mtv.com.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (October 13, 2003). "When Madonna Co-Stars In Britney Video, Opposites Attract". MTV. Archived from the original on May 13, 2004. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Patel, Joseph (July 18, 2003). "Justin, Enjoying The Single Life, Gets Down With Horde Of 'Senoritas'". MTV. Archived from the original on June 6, 2004. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (August 1, 2003). "Joe Budden Gets Caught Cheating In 'Fire'; Lil' Mo Lends A Hand". MTV. Archived from the original on February 7, 2004. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Donovan, Carleen (October 8, 2004). "Mos Def The New Danger In Stores October 12!!". Manhunt.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2004. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "NEW RELEASE: Snoop Dogg "Signs"". VideoStatic. April 7, 2005. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "NEW RELEASE: Gwen Stefani "Hollaback Girl"". VideoStatic. April 6, 2005. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Marino, Kelly (July 12, 2005). "Will Smith Entertains Punks, Cowboys In New 'Party' Clip". MTV. Archived from the original on September 7, 2006. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Stevie Wonder Makes Historic Breakthrough For Blind and Low Vision Music Fans". Yahoo!. May 5, 2005. Archived from the original on May 8, 2005. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "NEWS: MVPA Award Winners 2006". VideoStatic. May 12, 2006. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ "NEW RELEASE: Pharrell feat. Gwen Stefani "Can I Have It Like That"". VideoStatic. November 2, 2005. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (November 1, 2005). "Marilyn Monroe Inspires Mariah To Shed Clothes For New Video". MTV. Archived from the original on May 9, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (March 21, 2006). "Mariah, Pharrell Hit Paris For Romantic Getaway In New Clip". MTV. Archived from the original on September 7, 2006. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (March 6, 2006). "Unpredictable Indeed: Jamie Foxx Turns Into 'Top Model' Spy In New Clip". MTV. Archived from the original on May 27, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "NEWS: MVPA Award Winners". VideoStatic. May 18, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ "NEW RELEASE: Nicole Scherzinger "Whatever U Like"". VideoStatic. September 6, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "WATCH IT: Chester French "She Loves Everybody"". VideoStatic. February 4, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Lincoln Heights' Mishon Talks 'Just A Kiss' Video, New Season". Singersroom. May 10, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "WATCH IT: Jeremih "Birthday Sex"". VideoStatic. June 22, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Behind the All-American Rejects' "I Wanna" Video: Exclusive Photos". Rolling Stone. October 16, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Video: Snoop Dogg f/ The-Dream - 'Gangsta Luv'". Rap-Up. October 20, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "WATCH IT: Ke$ha "Take It Off" (Paul Hunter/Dori Oskowitz, dir.)". VideoStatic. August 16, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "WATCH IT: N.E.R.D. "Hypnotize U"". VideoStatic. November 9, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "WATCH IT: Lenny Kravitz "Stand" (Paul Hunter, dir.)". VideoStatic. July 18, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "WATCH IT: Nicole Scherzinger "Right There" (Paul Hunter, dir.)". VideoStatic. May 12, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "WATCH IT: Jennifer Lopez "Papi" (Paul Hunter, dir.)". VideoStatic. September 23, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "WATCH IT: Jennifer Lopez "Dance Again" f/ Pitbull (Paul Hunter, dir.)". VideoStatic. April 17, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Tyrese f/ Jennifer Hudson "Shame" (Paul Hunter, dir.)". VideoStatic. July 30, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Pharrell Williams "Freedom" (Paul Hunter, dir.)". VideoStatic. July 23, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Grammy Video Winner: Taylor Swift "Bad Blood" (Joseph Kahn, dir.)". VideoStatic. February 16, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ "Justin Timberlake "Man Of The Woods" (Paul Hunter, dir.)". VideoStatic. February 2, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ 2010 London International Awards
- ^ Cannes Film Lions Winners 2010
- ^ Samsung GALAXY Note 3 Official TVC - Dreams. Official channel of Samsung on YouTube. Archived from the original on 2013-10-01. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
- ^ Samsung GALAXY Note 3 presents "Dreams", a digital short film. Official channel of Samsung on YouTube. Archived from the original on 2013-09-12. Retrieved 23 October 2013.