Face to Face with... Noam Murro

It’s been a great start to 2012 for Biscuit director and co-founder Noam Murro.  On top of claiming his second DGA award last week and racking up four spots in yesterday’s Super Bowl, he’s also signed up to direct his second feature film, the sequel to 300. Here we catch up with him to talk commercials, his directing peers and listening to Kanye on Route 101.

Congratulations on your DGA success – how does it feel to win second time around?

Oddly enough, even with my Jewish depression, I must admit that it feels very good. I’m surprised it does, but to be recognised by the DGA – a group of directors and peers whose work I admire – is great.

You won for four different spots: Heineken Light, EA Battlefield 3, DirecTV and Volkswagen. Which was the most challenging one and why?

The answer is they were all hard, they’re all my children, and the epidural works for only part of the time. I think they all had their own specific set of challenges and that’s the beauty of it. I wanted to show work that alternates between styles and genres that allow me to keep challenging myself.

There were some great pieces of work amongst the other nominees too, what have been your favourite commercials from the past year?

There are too many wonderful spots to single out just one. The work is so strong, and so remarkable. Like Lance’s VW, Dante’s Jim Beam, Bond’s Heineken & Miller’s Dos Equis. No question this was a standout year. To be in the company of these directors as fellow nominees was a huge honour.

You’re signed up to direct your second feature, 300: Battle of Artemisia, which is a very different genre from your first film. What attracted you to the script?

96 days of green screen.

We imagine that film will be quite VFX heavy, something you’ve tackled many times before in your commercial work - are you looking forward to trying it out on the big screen?

I am thrilled to be doing a movie of this magnitude. 300 was a revolutionary film and to get the chance to dramatically and visually push forward this franchise is an amazing opportunity. On the one hand, I’m honoured to have been given this chance, and on the other, I’m walking in with a diaper on.

And are there any other genres that you’re eager to try out in the feature world, any scripts you have your eye on?

I’m eager. The question is if the studios are eager about me.

You’ve had some great talent joining Biscuit recently including Mike Maguire for worldwide representation and Philippe Andre for US representation, how do you feel these two compliment the roster?

Mike and Philippe are both incredibly talented and dedicated filmmakers. They compliment our roster beautifully and we are excited about the future of Biscuit.

And will you be looking out for more UK and European work with the launch of Biscuit in London? Do you find there is a different style across the pond?

I sure hope so. There is great work and incredible talent in the UK and in Europe. The hope is that Biscuit UK will allow us to tap directly into that market. I don’t know how to distinguish between styles, but I do know how to distinguish between good and bad work. Our goal is to continue to do work that we’re proud of.

What films have you watched/books have you read/music have you listened to recently that you would recommend to shots readers?

Close your eyes and imagine me in a tiny sports car stuck in traffic on the 101 Freeway listening to Kanye & Jay-Z.  Shocking, right?