Chris Clavadetscher has rejoined Black Dog Films US as executive producer, to lead the RSA Films’ music video division in the States, while director Yoni Lappin has signed to the company for commercial and music video representation in the US. 

Clavadetscher (above left) spent the last two years as a creative producer for Interscope Records overseeing film and photography for a roster of artists including DJ Snake, The 1975, AlunaGeorge, Børns and Billie Eilish.  His new position marks a return to RSA where from 2011 to 2014, he was a staff EP and music vide rep. Among Clavadetscher’s credits are David Bowie’s The Next Day (directed by Floria Sigismondi), Taylor Swift’s We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Declan Whitebloom), The 1975’s Girls (Adam Powell) and Miley Cyrus’ We Can’t Stop (Diane Martel).

“We’re thrilled to welcome Chris back to Black Dog,” says Jules Daly, president of RSA Films. “He thoroughly understands labels and artists and is passionate and driven to deliver the great creative work that fans adore. Directors thrive working with him, and he has a sharp eye for new talent. He’s already immersed in several productions.

"I’m so excited to be back at Black Dog / RSA,” Clavadetscher said. “My experience in production and working with Interscope on the label side has given me so much insight on how to make clients happy and help directors meet their creative goals. Black Dog is a pioneering production company in music videos and I’m thrilled with the opportunity to continue to grow and evolve the brand.” 

Up and coming director Yoni Lappin (above right, photo by Truly Young) has signed for commercial representation in the US via RSA and music videos in the US via Black Dog (he remains with Iconoclast in the UK). Lappin’s credits include a striking video trilogy for Mura Masa, for the tracks What If I Go? (nominated for a UK Music Video Award in 2016), Love$ick ft. A$AP Rocky, and 1 Night. His work has been praised for its authentic eclectic casting, beautiful visuals and innovative technique.

“In Yoni, we have a fantastic talent whose original style has people taking notice,” Daly said. “Now we have the opportunity to introduce his filmmaking and storytelling style to our agency clients, which is very relevant for youth culture today.”

Fate played a role leading Lappin to RSA, as well. “I was visiting Los Angeles for the first time from London, and my now wonderful EP Wandie Kabule reached out to me over email.  She’d seen my videos for Mura Masa and wanted to know more about me. It was out of the blue not knowing I was even visiting. We met up that same week and got on like a house on fire. Everything just felt right and natural straight away.”