Brian: ''Britney Is a Different Person''

Britney Spears Doesn't Channel Lady Gaga In 'Hold It Against Me' Video

The following italicized article is from www.mtv.com:

Just because Britney Spears is working with "Telephone" director Jonas Åkerlund and his stylist wife B. Åkerlund for the "Hold It Against Me" video does not mean that the clip will mirror Lady Gaga and Beyoncé's extravaganza. Spears' choreographer, Brian Friedman, said the video is all Britney.

"The styling for this video is beyond what Britney has done before," he teased. "B. Åkerlund did the styling for it, and I can say that it is not 'Britney does Gaga.' That is not what's happening with this. Gaga has her own niche, and although B. has worked with Gaga before, she's not giving Britney anything that Gaga would wear. I love seeing Britney try out new things. It's just an extension of what Britney already is."

With potential Gaga comparisons debunked, Friedman talked about having fun with Spears on set and helping her regain that joie de vivre that fans have come to know and love when she's out on the dance floor.

"One of the places that we always tend to improve with Britney is on her beauty shots, when it's just Britney alone dancing," he said. "And one of the little tricks that I like to do is stand right off camera and scream words at her to try and get motivation from her and coach her through the little scenario that she's in, so we did that in this video. And I know there was a picture posted of a bunch of microphones around her face, and that's one of the scenes in particular where I was screaming at her on the side — in a good way."

So, what does he scream at her? "Tiger! I scream tiger," he dished. "When we first started working and I had her back in the studio, I was referring to how she danced when we were working together in the past, when we were doing 'Slave,' 'Toxic,' like some of those things. She used to have a prowl about her and an attack that to me was like a tiger, so I kept telling her, 'I want to see the tiger back,' " he revealed. "I scream the word 'tiger,' so 'tiger' seems to work. It makes her laugh, so it works."

Source: MTV

Britney Spears' Choreographer Calls 'Hold It Against Me' Director 'Genius'

The following italicized article is from www.mtv.com:

Jonas Åkerlund certainly has the resume to pull off an epic clip for Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me." Having already directed spectacles like Lady Gaga's "Telephone," Madonna's "Ray of Light" and Pink's "Sober," Åkerlund is known for creating sexy, controversial and sleek pop videos. So, working with Spears was a natural fit, said her choreographer, Brian Friedman.

"[When] Jonas and I got on the phone for the first time, I was actually jumping on a plane somewhere, so the conversation was very brief, but I am a huge Jonas Åkerlund fan," Friedman dished to MTV News. "Anything that he does is magical. His eye for art is insane, so I was excited to work with someone who loves art so much and it's not just a job, it's not technical; it really is a string aesthetic to what he does."

When Friedman and Åkerlund finally did get the chance to hash it out, the conversation was about how to ensure the video would be focused on what Spears is known for: her tight and sexy dance moves.

"So with that said, I had a meeting with him at his house. We went through the video from top to bottom, and I gave him as much input from the dance side, 'cause it's a dance video, as I could to try to help bring his story to life," he recalled. "And the collaboration was incredible."

Friedman said Åkerlund completely understood his and Spears' ideas on the project, and the results, he said, are no less than stellar.

"I really feel like bringing two artists together in a way like that — where the director really loves the dance and understands the art of the dance and doesn't try to cover it up and water it down — is the best way to go," he said. "He was genius for me with dance."

Source: MTV

New Music Video Details

The following italicized article is from www.mtv.com:

Sure, details are limited on what the Jonas Åkerlund-directed video for Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me" is going to look like, but when Brit's choreographer, Brian Friedman, sat down with MTV News, he teased some scintillating details about the video.

"I didn't necessarily have pressure with this — it was more excitement," he said of working with the pop diva again. "I haven't been with Britney in five years on a project, so it was excitement to be back with her. It was excitement to get her dancing really hard again 'cause she's had a couple of years where she's been dancing different styles of dance and it hasn't been me.

"It's not necessarily that she hasn't been dancing, it hasn't been what I get from her, and what I seem to get from her is this tigress quality," he continued. "And she prowls. She really dominates when she does my choreography, and that's what I wanted to get back. Excited yes, scared no."

Shot over two days last weekend, the video shows Spears in a look she tweeted from the set. The preview pic, a lo-res photo, shows Spears from the shoulders up, standing with her back to the camera and her face turned toward it. The singer is in a red outfit, surrounded by a wreath of microphones.

While Friedman danced around any specific details about the clip, he did share that the video will have 10 male dancers. He also told us his favorite part: "I love nudity," he teased.

"I can tell you that Britney is wearing a couple of hats in this video — not literal hats, but she's playing roles in this video. That is what I can give you," he explained. "In every role, she is dancing. She is going to be dancing throughout the whole video. Like I said: Dance is the focal point of this video."

He also teased a bit about the costumes: "She's taking fashion risks. Things we've never seen her wear before she's wearing in this video, and I think it's just very sexy and it's a little bit playful," he added. "She's going to be doing something in this video that we've never seen her do. I'm not gonna tell you what that is but she's going to be sweating and she's going to be getting bruised and battered."
Source: MTV

A big thank you to Michelle for keeping my readers updated on all the latest Brit news while I'm sick. Much appreciated!

Another Insightful Interview Coming Today

Stay tuned 2 MTV news tomorrow 4 my latest update on the #HIAM video! @britneyspears

Source: Brian Friedman

I'm expecting comments along the line of: ''This music video is cool because it's faded.''

''Hold It Against Me'' Video Shoot Update

The breakdown of HIAM is in a category of it’s own… it put’s all others from the past exactly there… in the past ;) ITS A NEW DAY BITCH!

Sorry folks… I won’t be uploading any pics or vids from rehearsal. Trust me, you want to be surprised! Nothing can be given away… shhh!! Everythings now staged and choreographed 4 the video. 1 more day 2 rehearse it and then its time 2 shoot. I love this part!

Source: Brian Friedman

Brian Talks about ''HIAM'' Video

Official - Brian Friedman to Choreograph the Next Era

*dies*

Brian Friedman's Britney party

The following italicized article is from www.metro.co.uk:

Brian Friedman has revealed touring with Britney Spears was the best party of his life.

The X Factor choreographer worked with the star before she had her breakdown and tamed her wild ways and told Star magazine she "partied hard".

Brian revealed: "I worked with Britney in 2002 - being on tour with her was the best couple of months of my life. We saw Europe through beer goggles. It was incredible, we partied hard.
"Then I worked with her again just over a year ago. I've seen her a few times since then, too, she's looking incredible right now, better than ever.

"She's in a really good mental and physical state. She's ready to take over the world. She's now referred to as the Queen of Pop - she's not the Princess of Pop anymore."

The former backing dancer also feels a duet between between Britney and her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake could be on the cards.

He said: "I really hope so. There's been a lot of talk about it. I know Britney's keen, it's bound to happen in time. We'll just have to wait. They'll become the King and Queen of Pop for real!"

Source: Metro

Britney and Miley join in the fun!

At last, it's here! Start counting the days, Britney Spears will be live in The X Factor studios one week from today.

Britney jets into Britain to perform on the UK's biggest and best entertainment show... and she'll perform here for you, the X Factor fans, before she does anything else!

We welcome Britney to The X Factor family and easing her into our quaint British ways will be X Factor's own creative director, Brian Friedman. He's been Britney's choreographer for years, so you can be sure she'll be throwing some signature moves.

What's more, we've more hot news - teen queen Miley Cyrus is on the show too, rocking out on stage just for you.

You may know Miley best as Disney's Hannah Montana but she's here performing the single 7 Things from her Breakout album... so next week is shaping up to be amazing good!

Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears will appear on The X Factor as we celebrate all things all-American. There may be just five contestants left, but with two tunes to sing each ( one Britney song and one American classic).

And as we up the ante approaching the most important stage in the show, the judges will no longer choose between the bottom two to oust their least favourite contestant. From now on, it's 100% up to you.

All in all, there will be lots of reasons to look out your stars and stripes and head down to the ho-down, right here on the X Factor stage!

Source: X-Factor

Spears Plans Rauncy X-Factor Performance

The following italicized article is from www.contactmusic.com:

BRITNEY SPEARS is set to showcase her ranchiest routine to date when she performs on U.K. talent show The X-Factor later this month (Nov29).

The Toxic hitmaker is set to thrill fans with her new single Womanizer on the hit TV talent contest after music mogul Simon Cowell persuaded her to appear on the series following her triumphant comeback at the MTV VMA awards in Los Angeles in September (08).

Spears has teamed up with her original choreographer Brian Friedman - who also plans the X-Factor contestant's weekly dance routines.And the dance guru promises Spears' set will be a steamy affair.

He says, "Britney is at her raunchy best. She's back on top of her game."

Source: Contact Music

Brian Friedman: Britney's At The Best She's Ever Been!

The following italicized article is from www.mirror.co.uk:

Britney Spears is promising her raunchiest performance yet when she appears on The X Factor.

She has been rehearsing for the ITV1 show and intends to wow the audience with a sexually- charged performance of her next single, Womanizer, which topped the US singles chart last week.

X Factor choreographer Brian Friedman told the Mirror: “Britney is at the best she has ever been.

"She will perform Womanizer on the show and it will be the raunchiest performance X Factor has seen. She’s back on top of her game.”

The 26-year-old US singer’s performance next month will be her first UK visit since her tour more than four years ago.

It marks her continued recovery after a nervous breakdown last year.

Source: Mirror