Meet the Grimsby music video director who works with the stars

A Grimsby music video director has worked with an endless list of celebrities, such as Rihanna, Madonna, Plan B, One Direction, N-Dubz and Conor Maynard. Reporter Lucy Greensmith finds out more about the talented Dean Sherwood

DEAN Sherwood is the man behind the camera who filmed the iconic footage of Tom Fletcher, of McFly, singing to his wife at his wedding.

Dean, 33, who lives in London and Grimsby, was the reason why the film went viral on YouTube with more than eight million hits.

The self-taught film director, who is influenced by Justin Bieber's filmmaker Alfredo Flores, said: "I spoke to Tom the morning of his wedding, while I was filming him getting ready with the other McFly boys.

"And he told me to get ready for his speech because it will be a little bit different... but I didn't expect that! I had to wipe my eyes twice while I was filming because I couldn't tell if I was in focus or not.

"I can remember turning to get a tissue out of my pocket and Fearne Cotton was laughing at me. It was such a great moment."

Dean said he is not surprised the video has gone viral and he is good friends with all of the lads from McFly.

He describes the boyband as "great people" and he regularly goes to Danny's house to enjoy barbecues. Dean is currently working with Dougie on his clothing brand called Saint Kidd.

He added: "I have just filmed Harry Judd's (McFly) wedding, too, and he started his speech by saying 'How do I follow on from that?' and looked at Tom. It was brilliant.

"I really enjoy filming weddings. Actually, I've got a few people from Grimsby whose weddings I'm filming this year.

"I like coming back to those bookings, because I have a good reason to come home! Apart from to see my mum, brother and girlfriend of course."

Dean moved to London about a year ago when he was contracted to work on a project with Conor Maynard.

He said: "I started following the work of Harry Judd and thought it would be pretty cool to do what he does – follow a band or artist around and document what they do.

"It's funny that last year I was runner up behind Alfredo in the Shorty Awards for best international director in social media. It was about three years after I started following his work.

"I guess a heavy link between a shared love of music and cinema/film is the catalyst behind what I do.

"I was photographing Feeder for an album cover when Grant (Feeder frontman) asked me if I could shoot film as well, as they wanted a promo video for their upcoming single Call Out.

"I just said yes, without really thinking that I knew nothing about the technical side at all.

"So I immersed myself in how to shoot film with the camera I had. I stayed up every night, didn't sleep, did a few tests, read books, watched tutorials... then shot the video a week later.

"It was actually okay and did the job and the band loved it! So that's when my film-making started."

Dean has also been working with Heidi and Spencer, of The Hills, and of course, Celebrity Big Brother – doing online videos for OK! Magazine.

He said: "It was fun and they were lovely people to work with... all I'll say is that they are brilliant actors, especially Spencer.

"I'm also working on a project with a band called The Vamps, a new British pop band that are destined to be huge.

"It's a really great project, and I'm lucky to be developing it right from the start, which is what I've always wanted to do.

"I'm also working on new projects with my regular bands like McFly and You Me At Six all of the time."

One of Dean's favourite people to work with was One Direction.

"I loved working with them," he said.

"The phenomena surrounding them is unbelievable, and that makes it easier to film!

"Aside from that they are just really nice lads with a great team behind them.

"I've even shot commercials, such as a web commercial for Sainsbury's and its award-winning sausages – that was fun to shoot as well. It is such a diverse job."

Dean said he has only been star struck twice during his career and once was when he was standing next to Rihanna filming her.

He explained: "When I was next to Rihanna on stage filming her, I had a kind of out-of-body experience looking back on myself and what I was doing.

"The other time, I was backstage at Download Festival when I was working with You Me At Six.

"I was eating lunch with Josh (lead singer of the band) and Jack Black tapped me on the shoulder and asked if he could sit next to me!"

For more information, visit Dean's website www.deansherwood.com or follow him on Twitter @Dean_Sherwood