A hometown tribute for a rising star

Paul Clinton

It would be hard to find a better choice for a local tribute to a

music-video director than Joseph McGinty.

More popularly known by his three-letter nickname, McG, the Corona del

Mar High School graduate cut his teeth in the art form before moving on

to direct “Charlie’s Angels.”

Tonight at the Lido Theater, Newport Beach Film Festival organizers

will pay tribute to the director of almost 50 music videos.

“He is one of the most celebrated music-video directors today,” said

Gregg Schwenk, the festival’s executive director. “You look at the way he

has been able to bring a fun, hip look to the feature film.”

Taking a break from preparations for the “Charlie’s Angels” sequel,

McGinty said he would attend today’s tribute.

He is tickled his hometown festival is honoring him and pleased that

it is paying tribute to artistic endeavor, McGinty added.

“I’m delighted that Newport Beach is taking it upon itself to

celebrate the arts,” McGinty said. “It’s super cool.”

During the event, festival organizers will show a highlight reel of

“greatest hits” snippets from McGinty’s career, Schwenk said.

McGinty fell into directing almost by accident, he said. After

graduating from Corona del Mar High School, he agreed to put together

videos for the guys with whom he attended high school -- members of the

band Sugar Ray.

That led to gigs directing for Sublime, the Offspring, Korn and Wyclef

Jean. He has also directed commercials for the Gap and Coca-Cola.

With the blowout success of 2000’s “Charlie’s Angels,” McGinty and his

three-letter nickname became widely known. The movie ultimately pulled in

more than $125 million in domestic box office receipts.

The success of that film -- which starred Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz

and Lucy Liu -- netted McGinty a two-year development deal with Columbia

Pictures.

First up on the docket -- the “Angels” sequel.

McGinty confirmed the movie’s working title, “Halo,” but said that

might change. Filming will begin in June, with a scheduled release in

2003.

It will have the same high-octane, Hong Kong-flavored style as the

original, he said.

“If it was a hot rod, we feel like we never got [the first movie] out

of third gear,” he said. “This time, we’ll get it into sixth gear.”

-- Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may

be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7

paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .