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Taylor Swift's Director Is Coming Out With a New MOVIE!
From directing iconic music videos for Britney Spears and Eminem to working with Taylor Swift on some of the most defining visuals of the last decade, Joseph Kahn has built a legacy few can rival. In this episode, Joseph takes us through his journey, from dropping out of NYU with $25,000 in debt and hustling his way through Texas rap videos, to becoming one of the most sought-after directors in music and commercial filmmaking.
We dive into his unconventional start, the art of bullshitting with confidence, and the calculated risks that shaped his style. Joseph gets honest about the industry: how to sell success before you have it, why directing is lying, and how he landed his first big video gigs with Def Jam. We also break down his treatment-writing process in the ’90s, shooting without storyboards, and building unshakable trust with artists like Taylor Swift and Mariah Carey.
This conversation is a must-listen for filmmakers, creatives, and anyone navigating the tension between commerce and art in visual storytelling. We end with a deep look at his newest feature ICK: a genre-bending, creature-feature fever dream he’s betting big on.
00:00 Intro
03:09 The Journey to Becoming a Director
12:06 Overcoming Cultural and Academic Challenges
17:43 The Hustle in the Early Career
22:26 Breaking into the Industry
39:48 Joseph Kahn's Treatment Style in the 90s
40:35 Improvisation in Music Video Production
42:34 Building Trust with Artists
45:09 Managing Production Companies
52:42 The Role of Social Media in Filmmaking
58:35 Challenges in Music Video Production
59:40 Iconic Music Videos and Creative Freedom
01:07:06 Biggest Productions and Working with Taylor Swift
01:12:10 The Call from Taylor Swift
01:12:27 Creating the 'Blank Space' Music Video
01:14:23 Collaborating with Taylor Swift
01:16:56 Mariah Carey's Sense of Humor
01:19:05 AI in Filmmaking
01:28:19 Challenges in the Commercial Industry
01:37:35 The Reality of Director Jail
01:42:59 Making Independent Films
01:45:42 Challenges of Promoting an Independent Film
01:46:59 Passion for the Movie and Its Unique Elements
01:47:55 Blink 182, All American Rejects, Soundtrack Licensing and Its Impact
01:49:47 Inspiration Behind the Creature Feature ICK
01:56:57 Directing and Casting Insights
02:05:49 The Importance of Family in Filmmaking
02:12:17 Final Thoughts and Future Plans
Follow Joseph
Follow Arrad (podcast host)
LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST:
SPOTIFY
APPLE MUSIC
YOUTUBE
CONNECT WITH US:
✩ Ourselves (production team):
✩ Instagram
✩ Twitter
✩ TikTok
View all episodes
By OurselvesFrom directing iconic music videos for Britney Spears and Eminem to working with Taylor Swift on some of the most defining visuals of the last decade, Joseph Kahn has built a legacy few can rival. In this episode, Joseph takes us through his journey, from dropping out of NYU with $25,000 in debt and hustling his way through Texas rap videos, to becoming one of the most sought-after directors in music and commercial filmmaking.
We dive into his unconventional start, the art of bullshitting with confidence, and the calculated risks that shaped his style. Joseph gets honest about the industry: how to sell success before you have it, why directing is lying, and how he landed his first big video gigs with Def Jam. We also break down his treatment-writing process in the ’90s, shooting without storyboards, and building unshakable trust with artists like Taylor Swift and Mariah Carey.
This conversation is a must-listen for filmmakers, creatives, and anyone navigating the tension between commerce and art in visual storytelling. We end with a deep look at his newest feature ICK: a genre-bending, creature-feature fever dream he’s betting big on.
00:00 Intro
03:09 The Journey to Becoming a Director
12:06 Overcoming Cultural and Academic Challenges
17:43 The Hustle in the Early Career
22:26 Breaking into the Industry
39:48 Joseph Kahn's Treatment Style in the 90s
40:35 Improvisation in Music Video Production
42:34 Building Trust with Artists
45:09 Managing Production Companies
52:42 The Role of Social Media in Filmmaking
58:35 Challenges in Music Video Production
59:40 Iconic Music Videos and Creative Freedom
01:07:06 Biggest Productions and Working with Taylor Swift
01:12:10 The Call from Taylor Swift
01:12:27 Creating the 'Blank Space' Music Video
01:14:23 Collaborating with Taylor Swift
01:16:56 Mariah Carey's Sense of Humor
01:19:05 AI in Filmmaking
01:28:19 Challenges in the Commercial Industry
01:37:35 The Reality of Director Jail
01:42:59 Making Independent Films
01:45:42 Challenges of Promoting an Independent Film
01:46:59 Passion for the Movie and Its Unique Elements
01:47:55 Blink 182, All American Rejects, Soundtrack Licensing and Its Impact
01:49:47 Inspiration Behind the Creature Feature ICK
01:56:57 Directing and Casting Insights
02:05:49 The Importance of Family in Filmmaking
02:12:17 Final Thoughts and Future Plans
Follow Joseph
Follow Arrad (podcast host)
LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST:
SPOTIFY
APPLE MUSIC
YOUTUBE
CONNECT WITH US:
✩ Ourselves (production team):
✩ Instagram
✩ Twitter
✩ TikTok