Directing: Theophilus London’s “I Want You” Music Video (2010)

Posted on February 23, 2016 • Posted by vashtie — No Comments ↓

In honor of my friend Theophilus London and in celebration of his birthday being today, I wanted to post an oldie but a goodie! This is from 2007, when I directed the video for his sultry song “I Want You”…which actually features my voice saying “I Want You”. Ha.

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Me, THEOPHILUS and ELLE “STEELY DAN” CLAY (NEW YORK, 2010)
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Collaborating with THEOPHILUS has been one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever had the honor of being apart of, hands down.

First it was the mixtape “I WANT YOU”, where he asked me to lend some vocals earlier in 2010 – taking me WAY out of my comfort zone. I’d been asked by music making friends to do the same before, but always shied (by the way I’m shocked that thats the correct spelling of the past tense for “shy”) away from the microphone. This time it seemed just right. It was a real collaboration between two like minded artists.

Peep the video of us recording it with Dev Hynes.

Next up, it was creating videos (more so visuals) that would be paired perfectly with the genius music he’s effortlessly been creating for his mixtape. I had an idea for “I Want You”, pitched it to Theo and it was done.

This would be the most sexual piece of work I’ve ever created…listening to the song gave me all the visuals to work with. We also shot it at the now defunct Chelsea Hotel, which is New York City history. Just google it, it is such an incredible relic.

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Directing something so sexual was hard, but fun at the same time…I’d say to GLENN “spread your legs…part your lips…writhe on the bed…”. Every direction was followed by a “sorry” because I felt so rude sayings those things.