Ian Schwartz 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. He is best known as one half of the award-winning directing duo Ian and Cooper, who together brought a unique eye for cinematic visuals, surreal storytelling and dark humor to music videos for The Dead Weather, Joel Compass, Fryars, Mr. Little Jeans, Boom Bip, and the offshoot of Swedish House Mafia; Axwell / Ingrosso.
Ian and Cooper’s video for Joel Compass’ “Back to Me” won two 2013 MVPA’s for Best International Video and Directorial Debut, as well as a UKMVA, a Berlin Ciclope, Gold and Silver Awards at the London International Awards, and Best Music Video at SXSW in 2014. It also showed at the Camerimage Festival in Poland, earning the pair a nomination for SHOTS Best New Director, as well as the 2014 Young Directors Award (YDA) for Best Music Video North America at the Cannes Advertising Festival. Their music videos for Boom Bip’s “All Hands” and Fryars’ “Cool Like Me” were also nominated for an MVPA and UKMVA award, 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 2016 UKMVA shortlist.
As a solo filmmaker, Ian continues to lend his creative eye to a variety of projects. Most recently, he 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.
Throughout 2017 and 2018, Ian directed commercials and integrated ad campaigns for global brands, such as Google Audiobooks, Virgin Mobile, Campbell’s, KFC, Budweiser, and Nike.
More recently, he directed the music video for critically acclaimed British group Rudimental’s single “Walk Alone” (ft. Tom Walker) from their third LP A Toast to Our Differences. He also helmed the integrated ad campaign for No Frills’ “Hauler Made,” in which customers of the Canadian supermarket chain are depicted as daring, mysterious individuals capable of anything, including levitating, cloning themselves, and floating in outer space without a spacesuit.
Today, Ian continues to create work that resonates and pushes storytelling boundaries in music videos and advertising.
