Face to Face with… Edouard Salier

Fresh from helming the brilliant Quest spot for Coca-Cola and Mercurial for Nike, and signing with RSA Animation for UK representation, shots.net catches up with the very talented Frenchman Edouard Salier about life as a multi-faceted artist and the power of the humble pen.

You have a very wide ranging career as a graphic designer, photographer and director… which discipline do you enjoy the most?

I like each of the disciplines. I don't favour any of them particularly. I find different satisfaction in each, I love pictures in any art form, but drawing is the discipline that comforts me the most: on my own, with a simple pen. Unfortunately, I have less and less time to spend drawing.

What are some of the challenges and rewards directing gives you that the other art forms don't?

Directing blends almost all disciplines: picture, movement, sound - film appeals to almost all senses, this is the reason why I'm in favour of watching films in cinema - instead of watching videos on YouTube. It's also a very intense human adventure.


How influential was working with composer and music producer Doctor L and directing some of his music videos?

Music and sound are essential for films. I'm inclined to believe music is 50% of the film. I have a background in music. I started working with Doctor L 10 years ago. I've learned a lot from him. We have a very similar approach to the combination of pictures and sound, based on sensory experiences.


You've recently helmed the animated Quest spot for Coca-Cola … how have technological advancements changed the landscape of animation and the work you're capable of creating?

Technologies nowadays allow imagining films we couldn't picture years ago. Technically and financially speaking, the playground has been expanded, which is pretty exciting.


What would you say your main inspirations/ influences are?

The world surrounding me, what I read, what I see, in my everyday life.


Have you been reading/watching anything lately that has impressed
or inspired you and you think shots.net reader should check out?

Off the top of my head: the book Flicker, by Theodore Roszak


If you had unlimited funds and resources, what film project would
you plan?

A 3D, psychedelic, war-like opera.