On The Wire
By: Juan R Govea
The Smashing Pumpkins’ video for “Rocket” from mid-90’s Siamese Dream is something out of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris creative ideas. The Directors of the MTV released video went on to directing and have built an impressive body of work by seeking a variety of mediums into innovative projects.
After introducing bands such as R.E.M. and Red Hot Chili Peppers on their ground-breaking MTV show The Cutting Edge (1992), Jonathan and Valerie continued to work in music television directing music videos and documentaries for bands such as The Smashing Pumpkins, Jane’s Addiction, Macy Gray, Janet Jackson, Oasis, Weezer and The Ramones. Their music productions have earned them two Grammy Awards, nine MTV Music Video Awards and a Billboard Music “Director of the Year” Award.
In 1998, Jonathan and Valerie co-founded one of the country’s leading commercial production companies known as “Bob Industries.” Directing commercials for VW, Sony Playstation, Gap, Target, Ikea, Apple, ESPN, amongst others. In 2002, Creativity Magazine labeled them as one of their top ten best commercial directors.
Jonathan and Valerie have done work in television and film, including directing episodes of Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995) for HBO and producing two feature films, The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988) for New Line Cinema, and Gift (1993) for Warner Bros.
The American film and music video directors that received critical acclaim for their feature film directorial debut, Little Miss Sunshine. Later married and directed the romantic comedy-drama Ruby Sparks, and the biographical sports Drama Battle of The Sexes. They are currently slated to direct a new Netflix comedy series, Living With Yourself, starring Paul Rudd.
The Smashing Pumpkins, “Rocket” Directed By Iconic MTV Videographers Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th-AqMvvBzE
