7/20/2015 @ 3:44PM

A Little Post about the Bonds of Friendship

Liam just needs his boys

Niall just loves his boys

(x)

Louis feels triumphant he’s got his boys

Zayn enjoys the comfort of his boys

(x)

Harry appreciates the protection and support of his boys

We all want to talk to each other about everything because we’re the only people we fully trust.

-Liam on whether they keep secrets from each other (x)

And in 15 years they will still feel all of this

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thought we were going strong i thought we were holding on aren’t we?

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[Audio] Part 4 - The boys interview with Scott Mills at Radio 1’s Big Weekend

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Got a Whole Lot of History

Inside One Direction’s ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ Iconic Music Video 5 Years LaterOn the music video’s fifth anniversary, Fuse talked to the people who helped set the 1D phenomenon in motion  

Emilee Lindner August 19, 2016

It’s early 2016 when music video director John Urbano strolls up to a little taco joint in Malibu with his wife and 2-year-old daughter. They’d just gotten off a five hour flight at LAX, and Urbano is still wearing sweatpants, just looking for a place to grab some sustenance before heading to a friend’s house. There are photographers swarming the restaurant’s outdoor garden — paparazzi he presumes, not too uncommon for Southern California. Craving some Los Angeles sunshine, he asks to be seated on the patio. Instead, they look him up and down and lead him to the darkest corner of the restaurant. Out of desperation for some grub, he obliges. Then comes a familiar, deep, British voice.

“John? Urbano?”

It’s Harry Styles. He’s wearing a bright blue T-shirt, and his brown hair is the longest it’s ever been, curls rolling past his shoulders. Styles gives Urbano a hug, and meets his daughter, whom he affectionately named “Baby Urbano.” That’s when a server approaches the family again: “Hey, if you want, we can seat you outside now, in the garden.”

…

Just 20 miles from the restaurant, Urbano shot One Direction’s first music video in July of 2011, and, coincidentally, it was his first music video too. Then, the five Brits, hoisted together by Simon Cowell on the U.K.’s X Factor, joined a small crew for the two-day shoot of “What Makes You Beautiful.” Posted to YouTube on Aug. 19, 2011, the video now has 789 million views and a year later, it earned the guys their first VMA (an event that Urbano wasn’t invited to), for Best Pop Video, and kisses from Katy Perry.

The video swerves from the stereotypical boy-band elements of the late ‘90s: heavy choreography, monochromatic costuming, cheesy storyline, a sense of in-your-face urgency, etc. Instead, they dropped Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik on the West Coast to sing to a camera — no dancing allowed.

One Direction had recorded “What Makes You Beautiful,” written by pop masters Savan Kotecha and Carl Falk, in Sweden after signing to Cowell’s Syco Records. It’s an exuberantly energetic track, complete with a guitar riff often compared to Grease’s “Summer Nights,” a spattering of cowbell and an epic drum fill that explodes into one of the most recognizable choruses of the past decade:

“Baby, you light up my world like nobody else / The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed / But when you smile at the ground, it ain’t hard to tell / You don’t know, oh oh / You don’t know you’re beautiful.”

It was in the studio where they met their stylist, the London/L.A.-based Caroline Watson, who’s dressed Diddy, Chris Brown, Britney Spears and Usher. The guys, then 17, 18 and 19, would work with Watson up until their hiatus at the beginning of 2016.

“I went in with a blank canvas, I guess,” Watson told Fuse about first meeting her new clients. “I hadn’t watched [X Factor]. I hadn’t known anything about it. I think it was a good thing because then I wasn’t biased as to what I’d seen before because I hadn’t seen anything. It was kind of good to be doing it. Fresh and with new eyes.”

After meeting all five boys at once, Watson sat down with them individually, chatting them up about which colors and shapes they liked in clothing. Together, they all set three simple anti-boy-band fashion rules for the “What Makes You Beautiful” video: “We said no black and no leather. And no all-white. And then we just kind of made it happen from there.”

From the beginning, Tomlinson knew what he wanted: red pants, which he like to keep rolled up at the bottom, and a striped shirt. The rest of the guys got khakis of various shades of tan, and their preppy, collegiate look was born. Payne wore a white cotton top with a small, button-down v at the collar, Harry sported a short-sleeved dark plaid top, Zayn had a James Dean-inspired white T and Niall got a navy blue T, with matching Nike high-tops. The clothes came from everywhere, Watson said, and while high-fashion designers came to play later in 1D’s career, name brands weren’t too important when they were starting out. Watson still has the clothes, but she’d have to dig them out of a deep vault of couture.

“That video became the basis of the One Direction look,” she said. “If you think of One Direction, that’s exactly what you think of. That’s something I really worked hard on to kind of create the identity for the boys. That’s something that we ran with for many many years and then eventually we started to evolve and be more fashion-led. You know, til the end, really. It’s been absolutely amazing.”

A few weeks before the shoot, One Direction’s car pulled into the concealed driveway of Alley Cat Studios in Hollywood, a door shutting behind it. The entrance was designed to let people like Michael Jackson, Prince and Janet Jackson enter and exit without being seen by the paparazzi and fans, who would crowd the street to try to get a glimpse. On that day, however, no one was outside. “Less than two months after that, they’re everywhere,” choreographer Marty Kudelka told Fuse.

Despite their stance against dancing, the fivesome had some studio time booked with Kudelka, Justin Timberlake’s right-hand man who’s created the moves for Pink, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, NSYNC and Janet herself. Management wanted to fine-tune their natural movements and get them accustomed to being on camera, and for Kudelka, that was a welcomed challenge.

“For the guys, this is their first time coming out, we don’t want them to dance, persay,” he said. “They could move how they normally move, but we don’t want them to a Backstreet Boys or NSYNC because that’s not what they’re gonna be. They’re different.”

They had two, six-hour days booked, but they didn’t need all that time, Kudelka said.

“We did some stuff to kind of mess with them,” he said. ”We taught them some steps knowing they’re not going to use them, kind of to see how they naturally moved. Then we kicked them all out and brought them back one at a time and to talk to them, see their personality and have them just perform on their own.”

With the five of them together again, Kudelka would weave in between them, toting a camera as they sang. The only rule? Don’t look at the camera.

“After each of these takes, we’ll kind of play it back for them and show them and it was a learning tool for them in a rehearsal studio so we’re not necessarily wasting money on film and whatnot and crew. There’s just a few of us, there’s not as much pressure. So by the time we got on the video set, it’s second nature.”

It was time for One Direction’s day at the beach, and Urbano, who had previously shot their Up All Night album cover, was set up on Cycamore Cove Beach in Malibu. (Other scenes would take place outside a house down the coast and on the Pacific Coast Highway.) There, the Pacific Ocean laps against the grainy sand. Wooden tables and built-in grills are set up for picnickers spending the day in the park. Stories-high rocks tower over beach-goers at one end, creating prongs and curved formations that are doused in orange at sunset. A big hunk of white driftwood lingers on the sand. It’s the same place Blink-182 filmed their “All The Small Things” video in 1999 (ironically, the pop-punks mocked boyband stereotypes in the clip).

“At the beginning, we didn’t have anything to prove, nothing to lose,” Urbano told Fuse about shooting his first music video. “So we were just out there having a good time.”

Urbano ran down the beach as the guys lip-synched their song over and over. He captured individual shots, silhouette shots, and shots where they weren’t singing at all. He got them sitting down, standing up, running, kicking a soccer ball. They splashed in the salty sea, threw their arms around each other, shuffled in their sneakers, and barely stopped grinning. Urbano thinks they were just happy to be there.

“I can’t think that there was even 1 percent of acting,” Urbano said. “All it was was trying to get them to sing at the same time.”

There were a few onlookers, but no one recognized Harry, Louis, Niall, Liam and Zayn. A family of six puttered up to the set, approaching Kudelka to inquire about what was going on. “They didn’t even ask who it was, kept walking,” he said. “And they wouldn’t have known anyways.” One passerby was caught on camera, and will forever be known as the WMYB Ghost, as evidenced by the videos of some very eagle-eyed fans.

“I mean, can you imagine that today?” Urbano posed. “Like, if One Direction were on any beach in the world, and nobody knew who they were? Girls were just saying, like, ‘Who are these guys? They kinda sound good?’ To watch them go from that to not being able to go anywhere without being attacked is pretty cool.”

The hijinks were high, Urbano noted. In a behind-the-scenes video, you can see Malik shoveling sand onto Styles, who played dead on a towel. Tomlinson paraded around with some lighting props. And they even tried to give their director an English makeover.

“Harry Styles, I was constantly on him,” Urbano laughed. “He probably thought I was nuts because I would be yelling a lot. To get all five to focus on one thing was always challenging at the beginning because they all were, you know, they’re five different human beings, so to get them all to line up, for instance, on one lyric was a fun challenge.”

When it came time for the driving scene, the band piled into an orange Volkswagon Westfalia camper van with Tomlinson behind the wheel. Instead of the old Hollywood trick of hooking up the vehicle to a trailer, Tomlinson was really driving (a little too slowly, supposedly), and Urbano documented it all from the backseat. Unfortunately, this frustrated the California Highway Patrol, who were directing traffic around the shoot on a half-mile strip of Highway 1.

“The cops were saying ‘hold on.’ and I’m telling them to go,” Urbano remembered. “Then we pissed the cops off. Literally, they came up, and they were screaming at us, and they walked away and we all laughed inside the car. I was like, ‘Look guys, we have to pay attention to them because if they shut us down, we can’t use the highway.’”

The crew also had to film a deep pink, vintage Volkswagon Beetle convertible driven by three young actresses, who co-starred as 1D’s beach buddies in the video. For the models, Urbano called up his friend Francine Champagne at Vision Los Angeles, who casted Madison McMillin to play Styles’ love interest. McMillin, who now runs a clothing boutique, declined an interview, and in the past, she has been the target of many jealous Harry fans. Oddly enough, people have even set up fake social media accounts for her.

At night, they cozied up around a campfire, switching into hoodies and jackets. Despite a full day of working, everyone was still smiles. “Honestly if I would’ve asked them to work 24 hours in one day, they would have,” Urbano said.

When the shoot wrapped, Urbano said he spent a “long time” cleaning the specks of sand out of his equipment. “Anything for the shot though. I would lose a camera to get the shot,” he said. “Hey, there’s only one first video. You got to be good.”

… Epilogue …

One Direction’s last music video, 2016’s “History,” came 15 videos later. It features the footage of their beginnings on X Factor, behind-the-scenes tour clips and candid shots of the boys on the road (you can even see the back of Urbano’s head in it). In 2015, Malik left the band, but he’s featured prominently in the visual as a homage to the work the fivesome had done together: 5 albums, 6 tours, 3 movies, 17 singles, millions of screaming fans. In the video, they’ve got beards, tattoos, flowy haut-couture frocks and a swagger that’s been honed from intense stardom. It’s the perfect wrap-up to the end of an era—one that went from bubblebum pop to having them become artists in their own way. And although “What Makes You Beautiful” jumpstarted that only five years ago, One Direction has carved its chunk of pop culture out since then, evolving with fans and turning five goofy boys into a phenomenon.

A few months after filming “What Makes You Beautiful,” Urbano linked up with 1D again in Lake Placid, New York, to create the video for their second single, “Gotta Be You.” He also shot the cover of their second album, Take Me Home. He’s gone on to shoot music videos for Keith Urban and Justin Timberlake.

Watson, who’s launched her own line of bags, styled the boys throughout their peak, and admits they’re good on their own now. “I’ve taught them well.”

Kudelka is all ready to stage One Direction’s reunion, saying that he bumped into them at the 2014 VMAs while dancing in NSYNC’s reunion performance, which he choreographed. “Maybe we could make them dance this time,” he said. “Just a little bit, right?”

And perhaps 1D can get Urbano back when they return from hiatus, too. “When they come back out, round 2, that’d be cool,” he said.

You never know, they might just meet back up in Malibu…

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Backstage with fans - Santa Clara

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songs from FOUR || [insp]

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*Updated* LINKS:

Auditions :

Harry’s Audition (x)

Niall’s Audition (x)

Zayn’s Audition (x)

Liam’s Audition (x)

Louis’ Audition (x)

Judges Houses :

Torn (x)

Live Shows :

Live Show 1- Viva la Vida (x)

Live Show 2- My Life Would Suck Without You (x)

Live Show 3- Nobody Knows (x)

Live Show 4- Total Eclipse of the Heart (x)

Live Show 5- Kids in America (x)

Live Show 6- The Way You Look Tonight (x)

Live Show 7- All You Need is Love (x)

Live Show 8- Summer of ‘69 & You Are so Beautiful (xx)

Live Show 9- Only Girl in the World & Chasing Cars (xx)

Live Show 10- She’s The One & Torn (xx)

Video Diaries :

Week 1 (x)

Week 2 (x)

Week 3 (x)

Week 4 (x)

Week 5 (x)

Week 6 (x)

Week 7 (x)

Week 8 (x)

Week 9 (x)

Week 10 (x)

xFactor Extras :

Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan Showdown (x)

Quickfire Questions: Niall Vs Savan (x)

Quickfire Questions: Niall Vs Liam (x)

Quickfire Questions: Zayn Vs Liam (x)

Quickfire Questions: Niall Vs Matt (x)

Megamind: Harry Vs Rebecca (x)

Megamind: Cher Vs Niall (x)

Megamind: Harry Vs Mary (x)

The xfactor Christmas Dinner (x)

Zayn Malik-The Brain Freeze Challange (x)

Harry’s Bowled Over (x)

Pop, Flop, or Fizzle (x)

Harry’s Lesson (x)

Niall’s Lesson (x)

Niall Horan Cooking (x)

Vas Hapenin’ boys (x)

Pokemon Video Diaries :

Episode 1 (x)

Episode 2 (x)

Episode 3 (x)

Episode 4 (x)

Songs :

Forever Young (x)

Up All night CD (All Songs) (x)

Moments (x)

I Should’ve Kissed you (x)

Na Na Na (x)

Music Videos :

What Makes You Beautiful (x)

One Thing (x)

Gotta Be You (x)

1D Before the Fame :

Liam singing I’m Yours (x)

Liam singing Haven’t met you yet (x)

Liam singing (x)

Niall Horan singing Beat Again (x)

Niall Horan Singing Haven’t met you yet (x)

Harry Styles in class (x)

Louis Tomlinson Grease The Musical (x)(x)

A Year in the Making :

Part 1 (x)

Part 2 (x)

Part 3 (x)

Part 4 (x)

Twitcams :

One direction twitcam (x)

Louis and Harry’s Twitcam (x)(x)(x)(x)(x)

Harry’s Twitcam 12/24/10 (x)(x)

Zayn and Niall’s Twitcam (x)(x)(x)(x)

Louis’ Twitcam 07/29/11 (x)(x)

Harry and Liam’s Twitcam 09/06/10 (x)(x)

Liam and Andy’s Twitcam 11/22/11 (x)(x)(x)(x)

Liam’s Twitcam 04/18/12 (x)(x)(x)(x)(x)(x)(x)(x)(x)(x)(x)

Liam’s Twitcam 03/08/12 (x)

Liam’s Twitcam 04/8/12 (x)(x)

Niall and Josh’s Twitcam (x)

Liam and Andy’s Twitcam 6/9/12 (x)

Niall’s Twitcam June 9th (x)(x)

The Adventurous Adventures of One Direction :

Episode 1 (x)

Up All Night Listening Party :

Part 1 (x)

Part 2 (x)

Part 3 (x)

Interviews/random videos:

One direction by one direction (x)

Super Pokemon Rumble (x)

Perfect Christmas (x)

Behind the scenes at a heat shoot (x)

Up all night behind the scenes (x)

House Party (x)

Valentines day video (x)

Capital FM 12/09/11 (x)(x)

Launch of Fan Phone (x)

Type of Fans (x)

Hot or Not (x)

The Hot Desk (x)

This Morning Show (x)

The Math Song (x)

Paint Splat (x)

Go Karting for Mario Kart (x)

Go Karting T4 (x)

One Direction Interview(x)

Key 103 (x)

Granada TV interview(x)

Interview (x)

Vervegirl interview(x)

94.7 FM fan interview (x)

i93 dallas interview (x)

Exclusive interview(x)

Romeo Interview(x)

Louis’ Interview(x)

Jingle Bell Ball interview(x)

Small Talk (x)

Kidd Kraddick interview(x)

The Bert Show- Harry and Niall(x)

Alan Carr interview(x)

Alan Carr interview 07/29/11 (x)

The Late Late Show (x)

z100 NY Interview (x)

Elvis Duran Interview (x)(x)

Today Australian Interview (x)(x)

Sunrise Interview (x)(x)

Access 1D Part 1 (x)

Access 1D Part 2 (x)

Spin The harry, Ep. 1 (x)

Spin The Harry, Ep. 2 (x)

Megamind Pt. 1 (x)

Megamind Pt. 2 (x)

Interview (x)

Backstage Intervire Tampa, FL (x)

Spin Towers interview (x)

The adventures of 1D @coupdemain (x)

Much Music Interview (x)

Bravo interview (x)

DayBreak Interview (x)

Swedish Interview (x)

MTV Australia Interview (x)

Liam and Zayn interview (x)

Liam and Louis B105 interview (x)

Fan interview: Niall- 94.7 fresh FM (x)

Harry, Niall, and Zayn- Sea FM 90.9 (x)

Niall Horan- Mix 101.1 interview (x)

Int (x)(x)

Answering Questions in France (x)

Questions and Answer:

Harry Styles (x)

Niall Horan (x)

Zayn Malik (x)

Liam Payne (x)

Louis Tomlinson (x)

Nokia Phone Game:

Harry Styles (x)

Liam Payne (x)

Zayn Malik (x)

Niall Horan (x)

Louis Tomlinson (x)

Liam, Louis, Zayn, Harry,Niall Nokia ringtones (x)

VEVO Video Diaries:

1D in America Ep. 1 (x)

Video Diary Pt. 1 (x)

1D in America Ep. 2 (x)

Video Diary Pt. 2 (x)

1D in America Ep. 3 (x)

Video Diary Pt. 3 (x)

1D in America Ep. 4 (x)

Video Diary Pt. 4 (x)

1D in America Ep. 5 (x)

Video Diary Pt. 5 (x)

1D in America Ep. 6 (x)

Video Diary Pt. 6 (x)

VEVO Show: WMYB (x)

Tour Video diaries:

Video Diary 1 (x)

Video Diary 2 (x)

Video Diary 3 (x)

Video Diary 4 (x)

Zayn’s Dancing Videos:

Danny, Zayn, and Ant (x)

Melissa, Zayn and Ant (x)

Up All Night Live Tour DVD:

Part 1 (x)

Part 2 (x)

Part 3 (x)

Part 4 (x)

Part 5 (x)

Part 6 (x)

Part 7 (x)

1D gets pranked by nick:

Prank (x)

1D Revealed 

Part 1 (x)

Part 2 (x)

Part 3 (x)

Brit Awards 2012:

British Single (x)

At the table (x)

Interview (x)

Brits Award Room (x)

VMA’s 2012:

1D are looking forward to their first VMAs (x)

1D going live (x)

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