Emil Nava Case Study

Emil Nava started off as a runner for film production companies such as Blink Productions. After working as a runner Emil graduated to Assistant Director where he would be able to manage video shoots. As a result of his success, he got signed to Academy, known as the biggest music video production company and then worked for Between the Eyes. He now works for Pulse and freelances OB Management. OB Management often work with Pulse Films, Rocket, Agile Films, Friends and Wonda. They describe themselves as "three straight up dudes who work out of Denmark Street London" with aims to nurture talent, work with production companies, work with record labels and match the right director to the right artists.




Emil's first budget music video was £20,000 for the band Kid British and the track Our House. This music video was filmed in one day in Manchester using local people as actors. He also spent 2/3 days editing it and 10 days for pre-production, he demonstrated the very tight timescales involved. 

After a few years, Emil was at his busiest and made 24 music videos in a year when he began shooting videos for independent labels the budget would be as low as £5,000 to £10,000. His most expensive video to date has been for Jessie J and the budget was £160,000 due to the larger variety of shots such as fast-paced tracking shots with fast editing to match. There are also at least three costume changed for Jessie J alongside a bigger focusing on the featured artists, Big Sean and Dizzee Rascal.






Emil has taken a big step in the media industry by creating adverts which generally have a far higher budget and production value but allow of less creative freedom. The advert that Emil directed was the L'Oreal ' Dare to be Different'. 

Emil's Top Tips include: 

Using Extreme Close Ups on faces wherever possible ; 
Do not shoot whole of video in medium shot/long shot. 
Similar to Sinead O'Connor- Nothing Compares to U and Godley & Creme - Cry

Emil Nava's Most Popular Music Videos:

• Paloma Faith - "30 Minute Love Affair"
• Paloma Faith - "Picking Up The Pieces"
• Ed Sheeran - "Lego House"
• Jessie J  - "Price Tag"
• Jessie J  - "Do It Like A Dude"
• Jessie J ft Big Sean - "Wild"
• Rita Ora - "RIP"
• Ed Sheeran - "You Need Me"
• Tinchy Stryder - "Number 1"
• Tinchy Stryder - "Take Me Back"

Emil Nava worked with Ed Sheeran, directing his music video "You Need Me, I Dont Need You". This music video has been noted to be one of the most memorable music videos ever because this concept has never been done before. The client was Atlantic and was budgeted to £35,000. This music video is very basic as it is one person the whole way through set in black and white. This music video made Emil Nava a recognisable director as it was done using sign language, something that had never been done before. The fast pace shots are also very hard to edit, showing his real technique within editing.