Director X - Music Video + Film Creative: Working w/ Kanye, Drake&Jay Z | RUNGPG.com - a podcast by David Morrell
from 2021-06-22T04:21:18
For over two decades, Julien Christian Lutz, better known as Director X, has been responsible for some of music’s most iconic videos.
He has directed the videos for many of the world’s top artists and hip hop legends including Kanye West, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Justin Bieber, Usher, and many more.
His work has been recognized by MTV, Much Music, BET, and the Grammys with numerous nominations and awards. Julien has also entered the world of feature films directing movies such as “Across the Line,” “Center Stage: On Pointe,” and “Superfly.”
Currently, he seeks to make the world a more peaceful place through his community organization Operation Prefrontal Cortex. The organization aims to reduce gun violence and heal the effects of gun violence through meditation.
The 45-year-old director explained that in a person’s brain, you have the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. They are both connected. The prefrontal cortex shouldn’t be too small compared to the amygdala because then violent tendencies arise.
Stress could shrink the prefrontal cortex but meditation can change that. That’s why he created the Toronto-based organization to encourage children to meditate.
We certainly learned a lot when Julien dropped by the RUN GPG Podcast to share this new project.
Julien / Director X is a prolific director with close to 200 music videos under his belt, plus a few films, a TV series, and some commercials.
As mentioned, he has worked with the biggest artists in the world. He described Kanye West as passionate while Drake is “a student of the game.” He also said that he was impressed with Rihanna’s growth from a young artist to a regal woman.
The “Center Stage: On Pointe” director also called Justin Bieber a “genius,” and was disappointed with how the singer was treated by people when he was only a teenager starting out in the music business.
While he mostly worked with hip-hop artists, Julien is really a versatile director. He also directed Demi Lovato’s “Commander in Chief,” Little Mix’s “Touch” and “Black Magic,” The Wanted’s “Chasing the Sun,” Korn’s “Coming Undone,” and a video for Chris Rock, among many others.
His “Life Is Good” video received a 2021 Grammy nomination.
Directing is about understanding human emotion, said Julien.
“You have to tell a deeper story about what attracts people to one another. You need to really get these things and study these things so that when you shape a story, you can shape it with subtle nuances. They will resonate on a deeper level,” Julien also said.
Here are some of the topics we covered:
Who is Julien Lutz aka Director X?
Hip-hop scene in Toronto growing up.
Biggest influences musically and visually.
Interning at Much Music.
Working with Hype Williams.
Biggest takeaway from working with Hype Williams.
Importance of mentorship.
Pivotal moment that made Julien Lutz want to become a director.
Where did the name Director X come from?
The role of the director.
Process of creating the music video.
Julien Lutz’s directing style.
Directing is about understanding human behavior.
What it’s like working with artists at the top of their game: Kanye West, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and Jay-Z.
What video/s changed Julien Lutz’s life.
Working with Justin Bieber.
Advice for young creatives.
About Operation Prefrontal Cortex.
How can one get the creative juices flowing?
Who would be at Julien Lutz’s dream dinner table?
What would Julien Lutz be celebrating next year?
What legacy does Julien Lutz want to leave behind?
Contact Julien Lutz / Director X:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/directorx/?hl=en
Contact David Morrell:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morrellionaire
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegreaterdavid
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fearofdavid
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