YouTube and Elton John Want Your Creative Vision They are teaming up to find music video directors for three of the pop star's biggest hits.
By Nina Zipkin
When you've been in the business for a long time, why not pay it forward?
2017 marks 50 years that Elton John and his writing partner, Bernie Taupin, have worked together -- a collaboration that's led to Grammy Awards, millions of albums sold and a place in the Songwriting Hall of Fame.
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Three of their biggest hits, "Bennie and the Jets," "Rocket Man" and "Tiny Dancer," never had music videos. So to celebrate their milestone anniversary, the pair is teaming up with YouTube to find up-and-coming directors to make them.
The competition is called Elton John: The Cut, and the worldwide search will begin on Jan. 9 with a submission deadline of Jan. 23. John, Taupin and a panel of music and film industry judges will review the pitches. They are looking for an animated video for "Rocket Man," live action for "Tiny Dancer" and an emphasis on choreography for "Bennie and the Jets."
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The three winners will make the videos at their local YouTube Space. The finished products will be co-produced by Pulse Films -- the studio behind a little project you may have heard of... Beyonce's Lemonade. YouTube will also provide each winner with a $10,000 grant toward future projects.
In a video announcing the launch (below), John says, "We're excited to see creative ideas that push boundaries, tell compelling stories and give viewers something they've never seen before."
