IAN SCHWARTZ
Ian Schwartz tells visually compelling, human stories that speak to the emotion, dark humor, and surreal nature of our shared experience. Ian is an LA native who wet his feet as a staff writer at PRETTYBIRD, where he helped develop a diverse array of acclaimed commercials and music videos. His directing career began as one half of the award-winning duo Ian and Cooper, who together brought a groundbreaking eye to music videos for The Dead Weather, Joel Compass, Fryars, Mr. Little Jeans, Boom Bip, and the off shoot of Swedish House Mafia; Axwell /\ Ingrosso.
Their video for Joel Compass’ “Back to Me” won two MVPA’s for Best International Video and Directorial Debut, as well as a UKMVA, Berlin Ciclope, a Gold and Silver at the London International Awards and Best Music Video at SXSW. It also showed at the Camerimage Festival in Poland, and earned Ian and Cooper a nomination for SHOTS Best New Director, as well as the Young Directors Award (YDA) for Best Music Video North America at the Cannes Advertising Festival. Boom Bip “All Hands” and Fryars “Cool Like Me” were also nominated for an MVPA and UKMVA, respectively. The duo received a GRAMMY nomination for their music video for The Dead Weather’s “I Feel Love (Every Million Miles),” which also earned a UKMVA shortlist.
As a solo filmmaker, Ian continues to lend his creativity to a variety of projects, including spots for Nike, Coca Cola, Google and KFC, and music videos for Odesza, Leon Bridges, and Rudimental. He also teamed with fourclops and Wieden + Kennedy to helm Portugal. The Man’s interactive music video for “Feel It Still,” a viral resistance movement with clickable Easter Eggs designed to inspire the fight against political injustice. The project took home a Bronze Entertainment for Music Lion at the 2017 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, as well as a Graphite and a Wood Pencil at the 2017 D&AD Impact Awards. In 2021, he joined AI Foundation, consulting as a creative director.
Ian continues to push storytelling boundaries in music videos and advertising, creating uncommon work that resonates.