Zack Sekuler

Last updated

Zack Sekuler is an American filmmaker, music video director, and musician. Notable music videos that he has directed include Sweater Weather (The Neighbourhood), Unsteady (X Ambassadors song), [1] and Misery (Gwen Stefani song).

Contents

He has directed and produced music videos for a variety of artists across different genres.

Early life and education

Sekuler is from Thousand Oaks, California. He studied at the California Institute of the Arts where he obtained a Bachelor's degree. [2] [3] In high school, he was in a pop-punk band called "The Braces." [4]

Music Videos


Sekuler had been friends with Jesse Rutherford (singer) and other members of The Neighbourhood. [5] He made the first video for the band, [5] and then Sekuler and Daniel Iglesias Jr. teamed up to produce visual content for The Neighbourhood. [6] [7] In 2013, Sekuler co-directed Sweater Weather (The Neighbourhood Song). [8] [9] [10] The pair also directed the black and white music video for Afraid (The Neighbourhood song). Complex noted: "Taking a stark, literally naked look at the band, it also goes a detour through a slowed-down, purple alternate reality (no idea what that could be about) and a Memento-like playthrough of its key sequences." [11] The pair also co-directed the music video for Female Robbery. [12] [13]

Sekuler produced a bright-colored music video for Jesse Rutherford (singer)'s song called "Born to Be Blonde." [14] [15] He also produced 'Tunnelovision' for Rutherford. [16]

In 2020, Sekuler directed a music video for EarthGang's "Options" featuring Wale (rapper). [17] [18] [19] Pitchfork (website) called the video a "charming animated visual." [17] [20]

He directed "CVS" for Winnetka Bowling League. [21] The video features Hilary Duff, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Elisha Yaffe and was filmed in Los Angeles. [22] The video was filmed in an actual CVS pharmacy. [23] He also directed on "On the 5" for the band. [24]

Sekuler directed a music video for Kesha and Wrabel called "Since I Was Young." [25] In the video, he reused video footage from their childhoods. Wrabel said of the video: "This video gave me goosebumps, made me cry, and prompted a late nite sappy mushy message to my family thanking them for loving me the way they do." [25] Sekuler directed the lyric video for Louis the Child (DJs) and Wafia's song called “Better Not.” [26] He also directed "The Village" for Wrabel. [26]

In 2022, Sekuler directed a music video for Elton John and Stevie Wonder called "Finish Line." [27] [28] The video features video footage and images depicting life through the decades including the COVID-19 pandemic. [27] The video highlights the joyous occasions of life as well as the challenges. [29]

Sources

  1. "X Ambassadors - "Unsteady" | Directed By ENDS (Zack Sekuler, Daniel Iglesias Jr.)". WE DIRECT MUSIC VIDEOS. 2019-11-21. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  2. "New directors: Daniel Iglesias & Zack Sekuler". 1.4. 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  3. YDA (2012-08-28). "Unsigned: Daniel Iglesias & Zack Sekuler". Young Director Award. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  4. Punknews.org (2010-02-24). "Interviews: Zack Sekuler (The Braces)". www.punknews.org. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  5. 1 2 "The Neighbourhood: 'The Most R&B I'd Get Is A Justin Timberlake Album'". DIY. 2012-05-18. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  6. Stories, Local (2018-09-04). "Meet Daniel Iglesias Jr. in East LA - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". voyagela.com. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  7. Arundale, Scott; Trieu, Tashi (2014-08-01). Modern Post: Workflows and Techniques for Digital Filmmakers. CRC Press. ISBN   978-1-317-75305-6.
  8. Robbins, Caryn. "THE NEIGHBOURHOOD Premieres Debut Album 'I Love You'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  9. McMahon, Jason (2022-04-06). "Behind The Scenes Of The Neighborhood's Music Video "Sweater Weather"". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  10. "THE NEIGHBOURHOOD: NEW VIDEO FOR 'SWEATER WEATHER' – FM Famemagazine.co.uk". www.famemagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  11. Kramer, Kyle. "Video: The Neighbourhood "Afraid"". Complex. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  12. Bronson, Kevin (2012-08-08). "Video: The Neighbourhood, 'Female Robbery'". buzzbands.la. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  13. Olbrich, Suze (2012-08-07). "The Neighbourhood - "Female Robbery"". Vice. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  14. Schmitt, Tyler (2017-10-27). "The Neighbourhood's Jesse Rutherford Embraces Color in 'Born to Be Blonde'". Variance Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  15. Emma (2017-11-18). "& : l'expérimentation solitaire de jesse rutherford - just focus" (in French). Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  16. Howard, Lindsay (2019-04-10). "The Neighbourhood's Jesse releases new song 'Tunnelovision'". Variance Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  17. 1 2 Bloom, Madison (2020-12-18). "EarthGang and Wale Share Video for New Song "Options"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  18. "EarthGang and Wale Share Video for New Song "Options": Watch". Yahoo Sports. 2020-12-18. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  19. mahadevan, tara. "EarthGang Enlists Wale for New Song "Options"". Complex. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  20. Schwarz, John (2020-12-21). "Watch: Black Barbie Dolls Take Part In Orgy For New Earthgang Video". Bubbleblabber. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  21. "Winnetka Bowling League Release New Track and Video for 'CVS' | Vulkan Magazine". vulkanmagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  22. Bronson, Kevin (2020-03-11). "Video: Winnetka Bowling League, 'CVS'". buzzbands.la. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  23. "Hilary Duff Cameos in Matthew Koma's Band Winnetka Bowling League's Hilarious Music Video". www.yahoo.com. 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  24. Roberts, Randall (2018-08-17). "California Sounds: Mia Doi Todd tackles 'Midsummer Night's Dream,' Winnetka Bowling League premieres 'On the 5' video and Louis Cole celebrates 'Time'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  25. 1 2 Daw, Stephen (2020-07-10). "Wrabel and Kesha Get Nostalgic With Childhood Footage in 'Since I Was Young' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  26. 1 2 "Meet Wrabel". spindlemagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  27. 1 2 "SEE IT: Stevie Wonder and Elton John reunite for nostalgic music video for 'Finish Line' duet". Yahoo Entertainment. 2022-03-12. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  28. "Watch new music video for Elton John recent duet with Stevie Wonder, "Finish Line"". AM 880 KIXI. 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  29. Legaspi, Althea (2022-03-10). "Elton John, Stevie Wonder's 'Finish Line' Video Showcases Triumph of Human Spirit". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-06-19.

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