In our latest Snapshot Q&A, the CMN PPL director reflects on a very busy year so far with Soft Play, getting the call from hip hop legends, loving Edgar Wright's cult TV classic, and why the music video pitching process needs fixing.

Thomas (or Tommy) Davis picked up a camera when he discovered skateboarding at 12 and hasn't looked back - but his work still holds true to his roots. Davis directs music videos that are bursting with raw energy, colour and humour, creating great vids for the likes of Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Willow Kayne, NOISY and the band fka Slaves, who he has been working with this year.  

He is also an accomplished live video director, working with Beabadoobee, Sam Fender and others. And with a few year's experience under his belt now, his skillset also includes creative direction, commercial directing and documentary making. And photography - so it's great that Tommy could do another kind of Snapshot for us...

Name: Tommy Davis

Birthday: May 1997

Where did you grow up? Essex, UK

Place of further education and course (if any)? London Southbank Universty, BA HONS Film Practice

Where do you live now? Essex, UK

What were the important first projects for you, in terms of a learning experience and getting noticed?

I think the important first project would have had to be the video I directed at the start of my career with my good friend RAT BOY. At the time I had never directed anything more than a few kids rapping/spitting bars at the local skatepark. So after building my relationship with RB and the commissioner at Parlophone [Sam Seager], I directed my debut video - for Get Over It - in the middle of the desert in Spain.

It was very exciting - a mental experience for me. And then a few months after its release it got nominated for Best Music Video at the NME Awards in 2017. So that's what kicked it all off.

Best film you’ve seen this year? A24’s Maxxxine - or Despicable Me 4 (ha)

Favourite song/album/music artist this year? Fontaines D.C. - Romance; Beabadoobee - This Is How Tomorrow Moves; SOFT PLAY - Heavy Jelly

Favourite music video/videos you’ve seen this year? The favourite from me has to be Aube Perrie for Fontaines' Starburster. Surreal narratives - always so much fun to be explored with videos like this.

What has been (or usually is) your favourite night out this year? Corrr, anything spontanious with friends. Or any evening at Glastonbury.

Too many directors pitch on videos and just get completely ghosted on their ideas.

Name a film or video or other creative work that had a huge influence on your career choice?

This is a hard question. But in terms of television, it would have to be Edgar Wright’s debut TV series Spaced, from the early 2000s. It was the production that put Edgar, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost on the map.

The show is amazing, but Season 1 Episode 6 in particular. If you’re new to music videos or already making them, pay close attention the relationship between the sound and image in this show. You could learn something

In terms of music video-related jobs of the past year or so - what was the most rewarding creatively, and why?

Over the past year, I took on the role of creative director for the punk band SOFT PLAY, formerly known as SLAVES. I led the entire rebranding process, including bringing their name-change to life. In addition, I directed four wildly unique music videos for each of the singles on their album: Punk's Dead, Mirror Muscles, Act Violently and Everything & Nothing.

I led the entire rebranding process, including bringing their name-change to life.

My work also involved creating a one-hour album documentary, photographing the album artwork, and managing two press campaigns, along with capturing moments from multiple festivals and two tours. It was incredibly challenging work with tight budgets, but thanks to my amazing team, we were always able to push the boundaries as far as possible.

What are your favourite other (non-mv) projects of the past year or so?

Directing the commercial for the long awaited KORN x Adidas clothing collection. We shot it in Vegas in two days with the band. So dope.

Most annoying/irksome thing that’s been going on this year (work-related or otherwise)? TIK TOK & AI… HA! Nah, but the amount of hate in the world is obviously something that is just beyond too far. Palestine, the UK riots. We all gotta start coming together and spreading more love across the world x

What’s the most surprising thing that’s happened this year? Getting the dial-up to shoot Dr Dre, Snoop & Eminem all performing together in London.

Your top suggestion to change and improve how the music video industry works?

Fix the pitching process. Directors write a short pitch/ bio. Commissoners/Artist pick two or three to meet with. Then the all directors agreed to bid write on the video. Cancellations on the chosen video will incur a late fee. Too many directors pitch on videos and just get completely ghosted on their ideas.

What are you looking forward to most for the summer and/or the rest of the year?

Summer has been awesome. Live music has been pretty damn spectacular. Now I’m looking to focus get writing & make some non-music related projects too.

• Tommy Davis is a director at Common People Films, represented for music videos by Andy Roberts at Las Bandas Be Brave - check his showreel here.