Making a Star
Series in which music industry insiders reveal how the business works. Agent Emma Banks looks at how the music business finds talent and creates superstars.
In the first programme of the series, music agent Emma Banks looks at how the music business finds talent and creates superstars.
Over 25 years as one of the top agents in the business, Emma has worked with some of the world's most famous artists, including Katy Perry, Kanye West and Red Hot Chili Peppers. She's seen first-hand the fine line between success and failure, following the careers of hundreds of acts - from geniuses who never quite made it to megastars who conquered the world.
The secret to success and stardom is an elusive formula of luck, timing and of course talent. But as Emma explores in this film, it's also about the team behind the talent - the record execs, label bosses and A&R gurus who find, develop and make a star. From Motown's musical finishing school to Damon Dash's dogged promotion of Jay-Z, the missed potential of sixties group The Zombies to Blur's record label steering their career from one-hit wonders towards chart domination, this film offers an entertaining behind-the-scenes peek into the peaks and pitfalls of making a musical superstar.
Contributors include Motown's Martha Reeves, Blur's Alex James, record producing legend Clive Davis, Jane's Addiction's Perry Farrell and Labelle's Nona Hendryx. And we follow Emma as she works with new grime star Lady Leshurr to take her career to the next level.
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Clips
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A&R man Mike Smith on The Libertines
Duration: 00:52
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Blur's Alex James on why the suits are sometimes right
Duration: 01:53
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Monie Love on how hip hop made its own stars
Duration: 01:44
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Menswear's Matt Everitt on the dilemmas of who to sign with
Duration: 01:06
Music Played
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Katy Perry
Firework
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DJ Format
3Ft Deep
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Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Nowhere To Run
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Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave
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The Temptations
Get Ready
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Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Dancing In The Street
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The Libertines
Don't Look Back Into the Sun
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The Zombies
She's Not There
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The Zombies
Care Of Cell 44
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Blur
For Tomorrow
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Katy Perry
California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg)
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JAY-Z
Big Pimpin
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Oasis
Roll With It
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Elastica
Connection
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Boards of Canada
Olson
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J Hus
Lean & Bop
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Lady Leshurr
Queen's Speech 4
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Emma Banks |
Interviewed Guest | Clive Davis |
Interviewed Guest | Damon Dash |
Interviewed Guest | Martha Reeves |
Interviewed Guest | Lady Leshurr |
Executive Producer | Richard Bright |
Producer | James Hale |
Director | James Hale |
Assistant Producer | Toby Cameron |
Production Manager | Laura Deponio |
Editor | Dylan Goch |
Re-recording mixer | Max Hughes |
Production Coordinator | Sharon Wood |
Production Coordinator | Amanda Perry |
On-line editing | Kurt Williams |
Broadcasts
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Hip-Hop
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Hits, Hype & Hustle
Series in which three music industry insiders reveal how the business really works.