Roman's Music Videos

The music video is undoubtedly the primary short film genre of our time. And its evolution over the last three decades has been astounding. Aided by the rapid expansion of access to the technological tools necessary to make both music and film at home, bands like Chicago's OK Go went from relative obscurity to Internet celebrity thanks to their lo-fi, but high concept video for the song, "A Million Ways."

In 2006, that video became the most downloaded video of all time, according to MTV. Watching a music video has changed too. These days, the most likely place to see a music video isn't on TV, it's online.

But regardless of the venue, the best music videos are based on strong narrative and strong performances. Roman Coppola, the creative force behind Four Stories, has directed more than a dozen music videos over the course of his career, collaborating with bands like The Strokes, Phoenix, and others.

You might know Roman's work as a feature director and screenwriter (most recently in collaboration with Wes Anderson on Moonrise Kingdom). But Roman's music video work is pretty great too.

Here are four of Roman's videos that tell playful, intriguing stories that are built around great songs.

Supergrass - "We Still Need More (Than Anyone Can Give)"

The English alternative band plans and executes an Evel Knievel-style car jump into a pyramid of televisions. It's something of a cheeky satire.

Arctic Monkeys - "Teddy Picker"

An intriguing twist on the classic "making of" genre, Roman's video for the Arctic Monkeys takes us into the studio.

The Strokes - "12:51"

Roman beams the New York rockers into a Tron-insipred universe in this performance-based video.

Daft Punk - "Revolution 909"

Talk about an interesting backstory. Roman traces the genesis of a tomato sauce stain, all the way back to the farm.

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