Draft:Gregg Masuak
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Comment: In accordance with the Wikimedia Foundation's Terms of Use, I disclose that I have been paid by my employer for my contributions to this article. Ssmn20 (talk) 15:15, 29 April 2025 (UTC)
Gregg Masuak | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gregory David Masuak September 11, 1959 Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Education | BA Communications; Certificate in Cinematography |
| Alma mater | New South Wales Institute of Technology (now UTS) |
| Occupation(s) | Writer-Director, Producer |
| Website | giant-hero.com |
Gregg Masuak (born September 11, 1959) is a Canadian and English filmmaker, writer, producer, and adventurer who first rose to prominence directing music videos of the late 1980s, 1990s, and early 21st century.[1]
Early Life and Education
[edit]Masuak was born in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.[2] He spent his childhood in remote areas of British Columbia and Alberta. Following his parents' divorce and remarriage, Masuak emigrated to Australia in 1974.
Determined to pursue a career in filmmaking, Masuak abandoned other studies to dedicate himself to animation. Using hundreds of borrowed plastic cels from the North Sydney-based Zap Productions, he became the second Australian high school student at the time to create an animated film for his final year project. This project secured him a place at North Sydney Technical College’s (NTSC) Film School.
At NTSC Film School, Masuak studied all aspects of filmmaking and specialized in cinematography. During a gap between his first and third/fourth years, he worked as a camera assistant in an industrial film production company, attended art school to teach himself black-and-white photography, and played in the indie band Surfside 6. Apart from film and television, Masuak’s band Surfside 6 was called ‘an iconic band’ in the Sydney underground music scene and was featured in the book "Your Name Is On The Door."[2] His brother Chris Masuak was a member of the Sydney band Radio Birdman.
The band released two EPs under Phantom Records, with Masuak as a guitarist, organist, and vocalist. He also wrote the lead song for their second EP, Can’t You See the Sign. The band featured renowned members, including Jolyon Burnett, Geoff Datsun, Cathy Courtenay, John Hackett and journalists Richard McGregor and Toby Creswell.
Masuak later attended the New South Wales Institute of Technology and earned a BA in Communications with majors in Film, Film Writing, and Film Theory. His final-year short film, The Mary Quant Masque of Death, was accepted as his final degree project and won ‘Outstanding Film’ at the London International Film Festival. He also earned a cinematography certificate from NTSC. After its screening, Alexander Plunkett-Greene (Mary Quant’s husband) reviewed the film for libel, which he later approved.
During this period, Masuak made his first music video for his brother’s band ‘The Hitmen’ for their song “I Don’t Mind.”
Career
[edit]Following his graduation, Masuak moved to London, initially living in a warehouse and surviving off market scraps. He began working at Catalyst, a production house in Covent Garden, where he met producer Toby Courlander. The two formed a partnership that led to Masuak’s first professional video, Hi Hi Friend by Vitamin Z.[1]
This led to projects such as The Honeythief by Hipsway and Berlin’s Like Flames and You Don’t Know by Berlin. His video for Kim Wilde’s You Keep Me Hanging On established his international reputation.[3]
He directed videos for:
- Kim Wilde: Another Step, Say You Really Want Me, You Came, Never Trust A Stranger, Time, Who Do You Think You Are, It’s Here, Breaking Away
- Kylie Minogue: If You Were With Me Now, What Kind of Fool, Give Me Just a Little More Time, Celebration
- Take That: Pray (Brit Award 1994), Babe (MTV Europe Award), Everything Changes, Sure, New Day
- Spice Girls: Who Do You Think You Are (Comic Relief sketch version)[4]
Masuak directed the inaugural broadcast for Channel 5 UK featuring the Spice Girls and later worked with Emma Bunton on her solo videos including What Took You So Long and Take My Breath Away. He was part of the Oil Factory video production company.[5]
Andrew Lloyd Webber hired him to direct a video for Tina Arena for Whistle Down The Wind. Masuak also worked with Joe Cocker, Celine Dion, Genesis, Belinda Carlisle, Dannii Minogue, Roxette, Joan Armatrading, and Eternal. He directed Louise’s videos Naked and One Kiss From Heaven.
His mid-career film, Born With Glasses, a 50-minute dark comedy, was screened at the Chicago International Film Festival and awarded the Gold Hugo for Best Comedy/Satire.
He studied acting and theatre under Larry Moss, Al Mancini, and Diana Castle. Jeff Wayne hired him to direct Catherine Zeta-Jones in the video “For All Time” for the album Spartacus.
He directed commercials for NSPCC, Barclays, Thomsons Holidays, and campaigns featuring Courteney Cox, Denise Richards, Penélope Cruz, and Salma Hayek. His AIDS Alliance commercial Come Together was highlighted by The Huffington Post.
He also authored The Spiritual Slob (as Gregg Cihangir Masuak), illustrated by Emir Çaka Erkaya and later voiced for audio with producer Michele Mariotti. He hosted a pop show on Polyglot Radio between 2021 and 2023.
In recent years, Masuak has expanded his focus to feature films and television projects, often combining his roles as Director and Director of Photography, while also encouraging new talent in the industry by mentoring and advising on a variety of film projects by new filmmakers, often physically lending a hand in those productions.
Masuak was featured in the book Harshbeautiful by James M. Barrett and in the “Heroes In Vulnerability” exhibition by Cat Couture.[6]
He founded Giant Hero Entertainment Ltd in 2025, focused on producing films and documentaries.[7]
Videography
[edit]| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| "Surrender" (2005) | The Brand New Heavies |
| "Take My Breath Away" (2001) | Emma Bunton |
| "What Took You So Long?" (2001) | Emma Bunton |
| "Let Love Lead the Way" (2000) | Spice Girls |
| "What I Am" (1999) | Tin Tin Out |
| "Whistle Down the Wind" (1998) | Tina Arena |
| "Butterfly Kisses" (1998) | Cliff Richard |
| "Can't Keep This Feeling In" (1998) | Cliff Richard |
| "Baby Can I Hold You" (1997) | Boyzone |
| "Who Do You Think You Are" (1997) | Spice Girls |
| "Shipwrecked" (1997) | Genesis |
| "Words" (1996) | Boyzone |
| "One Kiss From Heaven" (1996) | Louise |
| "Naked" (1996) | Louise |
| "Breakin' Away" (1995) | Kim Wilde |
| "Angel Come Down" (1995) | Voice Of The Beehive |
| "You Don't Understand Me" (1995) | Roxette |
| "Only One Road" (1995) | Céline Dion |
| "Have A Little Faith" (1995) | Joe Cocker |
| "For Whom The Bell Tolls" (1994) | Bee Gees |
| "How To Fall In Love (Part 1)" (1994) | Bee Gees |
| "(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name" (1994) | Harry Connick, Jr. |
| "Kiss Of Life" (1994) | Bee Gees |
| "Perfect Place" (1992) | Voice Of The Beehive |
| "Celebration" (1992) | Kylie Minogue |
| "What Kind Of Fool (Heard All That Before)" (1992) | Kylie Minogue |
| "Give Me Just A Little More Time" (1992) | Kylie Minogue |
| "Who Do You Think You Are" (1992) | Kim Wilde |
| "Just Another Dream" (1991) | Cathy Dennis |
| "If You Were With Me Now" (1991) | Kylie Minogue |
| "Time" (1990) | Kim Wilde |
| "It's Here" (1990) | Kim Wilde |
| "Runaway Horses" (1990) | Belinda Carlisle |
| "Never Trust A Stranger" (1988) | Kim Wilde |
| "You Came" (1988) | Kim Wilde |
| "You Don't Know" (1987) | Berlin |
| "Say You Really Want Me" (1987) | Kim Wilde |
| "Another Step (Closer To You)" (1987) | Kim Wilde |
| "Like Flames" (1986) | Berlin |
| "You Keep Me Hangin' On" (1986) | Kim Wilde |
| "Cuanto Amor Me Das" (1997) | Eros Ramazzotti |
| "Don't Stop the Music" (2001) | Lionel Richie |
| "Give Him the Go" (1991) | Claudio Baglioni |
| "Fuego en el fuego" (2000) | Eros Ramazzotti |
| "L’aurora" (1996) | Eros Ramazzotti |
| "Dagli il via" (1990) | Claudio Baglioni |
Training
[edit]- Oval Theatre, London (1982–1984)
- Beverly Hills Playhouse (1990–1996)
- Larry Moss, Santa Monica (1999–2004)
- Diana Castle, Los Angeles (2005–2008)
Awards and Recognition
[edit]- Outstanding Film, London International Film Festival – The Mary Quant Masque of Death
- Juno Award – Luba’s How Many
- MTV Awards – Take That’s Pray and Babe
- Gold Hugo – Chicago International Film Festival for Born With Glasses[3]
- Bronze, PM Society – AIDS Alliance Come Together[6]
- Gold Award – Atlanta Shortfest for Invisible
- Most Innovative Screenplay – Flycatcher, City of Angels Women’s Film Festival
- Best Female Protagonist – Invisible, City of Angels Women’s Film Festival
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Filmaka | Gregg Masuak". www.filmaka.com. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ a b "Masuak, Greg". Wilde Life. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ a b Clipland. "David Mallet on Clipland". www.clipland.com. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ Promonews. "Take That 'New Day' by Gregg Masuak | Videos". Promonewstv. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ "Gregg MASUAK personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ a b "Gregg Masuak a Director in London". creativepool.com. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ "H O M E". giant-hero. Retrieved 2025-04-29.