Jul
29,
2024
Calling all Ru Paul’s Drag Race fans! We have the tea directly from the source for Trinity the Tuck’s latest music video ’Til Death Becomes Us’ featuring Jujubee. We sat down with the music video’s director Robbie Joseph to get the details on this iconic shoot!
PPLA: How did you first get into music video directing?
RJ: I first got into directing music videos in college. I had been exploring photography for a few years but always wanted to direct. I would find local artists doing cover songs and offer to make music videos for them with my camera. Over time I began to do more and more until graduating to bigger projects, eventually ending up in L.A. Once in L.A I found my way to NuContext Creative led by Angela Guice who brought me on her sets and through her and the whole team, I learned so much and was able to understand production in its entirety.
PPLA: What is your personal favorite music video and/or director who inspires your work today?
RJ: I have two personal favorite music videos both by the same director. “Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears and “Waiting For Tonight” by Jennifer Lopez, both directed by Francis Lawrence are the two videos that inspired me when I was young to want to do music videos. As far as inspiration, I’ve always been a big fan of David LaChapelle, Francis Lawrence and Joseph Khan. Those directors have styles that I truly admire and love to reference.
PPLA: What brought about the concept for ‘Death Becomes Her’ on this particular shoot?
RJ: I got a call from Trinity The Tuck who was working on her new album SINematic and the first single was inspired and based on the iconic “Death Becomes Her” film. This happens to be one of my favorite movies as well as hers and I was thrilled that I had the opportunity to bring it to life in music video form.
PPLA: How challenging was bringing it to life?
RJ: I feel the most challenging aspect of this shoot was keeping it true to the film. The film is adored by so many and has a cult following, so doing justice to the source material while still making it a Trinity music video was challenging but really exciting. Trinity, Jujubee and the entire cast and crew handled this project with so much love and incredible energy that it was more fun than challenging when all was said and done.
PPLA: What surprised you about creating this concept from pitch to execution?
RJ: The most surprising thing about this concept was just how much fun it was to create. Being on set to shoot this was so surreal as Trinity, Jujubee and the whole team really went the extra mile to deliver an incredible end result. Everything from the location to the wardrobe and props were thought about in great detail. Trinity and team had tasked me to write opening and closing scenes that mirrored the film and in the first rehearsal, seeing them read through and really commit to the characters, I knew it was going to be incredible. We really just had an absolute blast on set.
PPLA: What are you working on now?
RJ: Currently I am working with up and coming pop star Ceranda on her next music video “Do I Have Your Attention” and I am really excited about it. I have done two previous music videos for her “Hands Tied” and “Sugar Rush ” and those videos are incredible but I cannot wait to show the world this next one!
PPLA: Where can we see it or expect it to release?
RJ: The video for “Do I Have Your Attention” is releasing in early to mid August, so stay tuned for some pop magic!
PPLA: Is there any advice you’d give to yourself from when you began your journey directing music videos that you now know, and wish you knew then?
RJ: Kindness and passion go a long way. Love what you do and those around you with all of yourself and people will gravitate toward you. It may feel like the finish line is far away but with every project I remind myself that my younger self would never dream of the places I’ve gotten to. There is no finish line, you are always at the beginning of your greatness, so keep going.
Music Crush Monday created and written by, Carolina Bonetti
