Francis Lawrence  

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Francis Lawrence (born March 26, 1970) is an American music video director and film director, and Latin Grammy winner.

Lawrence was born in Vienna, Austria. His father is a physicist who taught at California State University, Northridge and his mother is V.P. Technology at a PR agency. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of three. Lawrence worked as 2nd assistant camera on the feature Pump Up the Volume directed by Allan Moyle prior to earning his bachelors degree in film production at Loyola Marymount University Film School. He went on to work as first AD on the feature Marching out of Time directed by Anton Vassil. Francis Lawrence then joined ex-classmate Mike Rosen in co-directing music videos. Lawrence shot his first music for Michael Blakey President of Atco Records with the band Tidal Force which became a great success. Soon, Lawrence became known for his original and imaginative music video scripts and visual directing style. He eventually joined a major new production company and his successful career as music video director, having worked with stars like Britney Spears, Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z, Aerosmith, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Destiny's Child, Garbage, Gwen Stefani, Pink, Akon, Shakira, Missy Elliott, and Lady Gaga. He has also directed numerous commercials for clients such as Coca-Cola, L'Oréal, Wild Planet, Pepsi-Cola, Maybelline, Kid's Footlocker, Bacardi, McDonalds, Epidemic.com, GAP, Bud Light, CoverGirl, Oldsmobile and Disneyland. In 2005, his feature film debut was Constantine based on the Hellblazer comic book, starring Keanu Reeves.

In 2007, he directed I Am Legend (based on the Richard Matheson novel), with Will Smith. He is currently signed to DNA Inc.

Filmography

Movies

Film director

• Constantine (2005)
• I Am Legend (2007)
• Water for Elephants (2010) (pre-production)
• The City That Sailed (2012) (pre-production)

Other

• Pump up the Volume (1990) 2nd ASSISTANT CAMERA
• Marching out of Time (1994) 1st ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
• Understanding Olivia (1996) ADDITIONAL EDITOR
• Kings (2008) DIRECTOR and PRODUCER

Making the music videos

• Jay-Z - "Girl's Best Friend"
• Jennifer Lopez - "Waiting for Tonight"
• Melanie C feat. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez - "Never Be The Same Again"
• Enrique Iglesias - "Rhythm Divine"
• Destiny's Child - "Independent Women Part I"
• Aerosmith - "Jaded"
• Janet Jackson - "Someone to Call My Lover"
• Britney Spears - "I'm A Slave 4 U"
• Shakira - "Whenever, Wherever"
• Janet Jackson feat. Missy Elliott & Carly Simon - "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)"
• Will Smith - "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)"
• Beyoncé Knowles - "Work It Out"
• Michelle Branch - "Goodbye To You"
• Avril Lavigne - "Sk8er Boi"
• Jennifer Lopez - "Jenny from the Block"
• Justin Timberlake - "Rock Your Body"
• Gwen Stefani - "What You Waiting For?"
• Jennifer Lopez - "Get Right"
• Britney Spears - "Circus"
• Lady Gaga - "Bad Romance"

List of music videos