Las Vegas filmmakers and musicians have a new opportunity to collaborate thanks to Rachel Johnson (UNLV alumni) and Danny Chandia, co-founders of Desert Cactus Films. “The Music Video Lab”, pairs together 10 directors with 10 bands/solo artists, and gives them one month to make a music video.

Rachel and Danny found their start with the same lab in 2018 when it was part of the now defunct Las Vegas Film Festival. They were paired with local singer/songwriter Paige Overton and challenged to make a music video for her song, “Noose” on a $250 budget. This project was a turning point for them, and led to numerous music video collaborations and an award winning fantasy short film called “Margaret the Brave.”

More than a competition, “The Music Video Lab” is an investment in Las Vegas’ creative community. Selected participants gain hands-on experience collaborating with fellow artists, working within production deadlines and building their professional portfolios. 

As Las Vegas continues to grow as a production hub, initiatives like this are helping to develop the next generation of filmmakers from the ground up. For aspiring directors and musicians, the lab is a chance to show their style and voice on a platform that highlights the incredible reserve of rising talent we have here in Southern Nevada. Teams have been given a $250 stipend and officially began production on September 1st and will have until September 30th to shoot and deliver an original music video. This year, in collaboration with the Desert Waves Film & Music Festival, all the finished music videos will premiere on October 18th, 2026 at the StarBase Hybrid Event Space.