Hbo’s issa rae comedy pilot music video helmer melina masoukas to direct | deadline

HBO’s Issa Rae Comedy Pilot: Music Video Helmer Melina Masoukas To Direct HBO is breaking new talent with comedy pilot Insecure, which will bring two new voices to television. Cocreated, written and toplined by first-time TV creator and star Issa Rae, the pilot will be directed by top music video director Melina Masoukas in her TV directing debut.

Insecure focuses on the awkward experiences and racy tribulations of a modern day African-American woman, themes Rae has tackled in her successful webseries, The Misadventures Of Awkward Black Girl. Rae executive produces the pilot, expected to film in the fall, along with Wilmore and 3 Arts’ Michael Rotenberg, Dave Becky and Jonathan Berry.

Probably best known for her frequent collaborations with Beyonce and Rihanna, Masoukas also has directed music videos for Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, No Doubt, Christina Aguilera, Ciara, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez, Ne-You, Ludacris, Kylie Minogue, Solange and Lily Allen, among others. You can watch her below her video for Rihanna’s We Found Love, which won a Grammy, and her recent Beyonce video, Pretty Hurts.

Masoukas also has directed commercials for such brands as Target, Lexus and Adidas.

Music videos/commercials has proven fertile ground for directors, many of whom have gone on to transition successfully to feature films. That includes David Fincher, who is doing an HBO series based on his experience (currently on hold), Marc Webb, Gore Verbinski, Antoine Fuqua, Simon West, McG and Michael Bay.