Breaking out as the foul-mouthed Seth in “Superbad,” Jonah Hill has been slowly diversifying his CV. With films like “Cyrus” and this weekend’s “Moneyball,” Hill has been stretching his wings into dramatic territory, he’s got “Allen Gregory,” a new animated show he co-created premiering on Fox next month, but as long as he’s been making the Hollywood rounds, he’s been talking about directing, and he’s now gotten his feet wet behind the camera.
Hill recently teamed with friend and singer Sara Bareilles, directing the video for her latest single “Gonna Get Over You” and it’s a solid first effort. The spot features Bareilles’ dancing through a colourful grocery store and it was a series of firsts for both singer and director. “There’s something really special about being someone’s first, like he’s a video virgin,” Bareilles told Rolling Stone. “I feel like I’m in new territory as well because I’m dancing for the first time, it’s a totally different thing I’ve never done.” As for Hill, who has undoubtedly been taking notes from the variety of helmers he’s worked with including Judd Apatow, David O. Russell, Bennett Miller and David Gordon Green, he found inspiration on of the most well regarded music video directors out there — Spike Jonze (who coincidentally, makes a cameo appearance in “Moneyball”).
“His videos have informed a lot of the way I think visually, and music video direction is something I think will help make me a better director,” Hill told the magazine. And certainly that influence is felt, as “Gonna Get Over You” is somewhat reminiscent of Jonze’s “It’s Oh So Quiet” for Bjork bursting with primary colors and choreographed dance sequences.
Anyhow, give “Gonna Get Over You” a whirl below and yeah, go see “Moneyball” this weekend.