Renowned Music Video Director, Phillip Atwell, gives workshop

philip atwell

William Shakespeare once said in his play Twelfth Night “If Music be the Food of Love then Play on.” But almost four centuries later that usually means a music video. This week, a visiting notable music video director will be instructing enthusiasts on how to direct and produce music videos. Philip Atwell has worked with most of the major musicians of the last decade.  He has also been involved in recent movies such as the National Treasure franchise and Sorcerer’s Apprentice.  While his work is impressive, Atwell told News Five that anyone out there that is willing to put in the work, then he or she can also be a major player in his industry.

Philip Atwell, Director

“In my career I’ve worked with artist from Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg , Marylin Manson. I’ve been around for a while so I’ve worked with all the way back to Boys to men, a lot of different artist. I’ve worked with tons of artist. I gave you the ones that are most notable; but there’s very few artist that I haven’t worked with. The Game, Fifty Cent, basically my base in is Hip Hop, but I got out and did a little R&B and rock, so, which is always interesting.”

Jose Sanchez

“The workshop that you’re bringing here is about music videos. We have a lot of young Belizean artist, who want to push their music and they just pull out a camera and there’s a video and it doesn’t look well. What are you going to share with those who decide to attend your workshop?”

Philip Atwell

“I think it’s really about choices you make and passion, you know a lot of people are in a rush. No matter what you’re budget it you just have to have real well thought out plan. If you have a well thought plan and you execute it chances are your gonna come out with something interesting; but it’s not just to look at TV and see what everybody else is doing. It’s to come out with an original.”

Jose Sanchez

“Now, for those who do decide to show up, what should they bring with them?”

Philip Atwell

“An open mind.”

Professor Abiyi Ford

“My section of the workshop is essentially going to be introducing the workshop participants to the rudimentary rules of the use of the camera and the screen. How that works, also they’ll understand how to be creative with it. If it’s a music video, they have to be very creative and they cannot be creative unless they understand the dynamics or the rules and grammar of the camera as well as the screen.”

Jose Sanchez

“In addition to the music videos, you’ve also managed to work on some films right?”

Philip Atwell

“Yeah, I’ve also gotten to work on a few really big movies. Both of the National Treasure movies with Jerry Bruckheimer and Nicholas Cage and the recent film Sorcerers’ Apprentice , I shot second unit on that as well as shooting my own War with Jet Lee and Jason Statham.”

Jose Sanchez

“Seeing a man of color progressing in a field, it’s a big thing. But for the poor person out there who wants to be a part of this, what can they do to push further after a workshop like this?”

Philip Atwell

“Just show up to work, there’s always work. I’m no different that most o the kids here in Belize, I grew up in Philadelphia, I live in Los Angeles; but the thing for most kids, they need to understand is that everyone started somewhere and you don’t always need to look at it like, who’s the director, who’s the producer, there’s so many opportunities that will get you to the place where you want to be. You just got to put the work in.”

The workshop takes place on Thursday Friday and Saturday at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. For further information you can contact the Bliss Institute.