Rollo Hollins: A Few Of My Favourite Things

As the son of a stand-up comedian, we'd want Rollo Hollins' Favourite Things to give us a bit of a laugh.

However, as fun as they may be, the Armoury director's penchant for keeping giant crab claws and moulds of teeth also hints at a deliciously left-field creative mind.

With his first short picking up numerous awards, and a body of work that includes spots for Samsung, Habitat, Vax, the BBC, Nando’s [picking up the much-envied Grocer Magazine's Ad of the Day (23rd Feb, 2023)], Hollins' prowess with the camera and eye for performance are equally matched with his ability to get joy from sentimental knick-knacks.

The Giant Crab Claw

A prominent feature in many of my Zoom calls is this giant crab claw. 

It's a prop from one of the first significant projects I directed - a sketch show pilot with friends, including the iconic Alice Lowe and Kevin Eldon. 

Transitioning from directing light-hearted sketches with mates to working with esteemed comedy figures was a baptism by fire and marked the beginning of my current career. 

While the pilot has faded into obscurity, the claw remains.

The Reference Books

Each year, I compile a physical book of my favourite visual references. 

This practice allows me to observe how my tastes evolve over time. 

When writing a treatment, I often peruse these books - not as a direct reference resource but as a collection of intriguing visuals gathered throughout the year to spark further inspiration. 

2024 marks my 11th book. 

Eleven years! 

Yikes.

The Human Teeth

These might be my teeth; I forget. 

What's important is that they sit next to a picture of my wife and two daughters. 

Much like my teeth, they are an equally permanent fixture in my life. 

My family is why I work so hard and also what makes working so hard worth it. 

My two girls mean everything to me; everything has been better since having them - a theory they are keen to test daily.

The Inspiration Shelf

I direct ads and write movies. 

I love directing but find 90% of my time writing a deeply, profoundly horrific experience. 

Annoyingly, 10% of the time, it's total magic. 

My darling wife got me this print to inspire more of that magic, and it proudly sits staring me in the face whilst I work. 

It's sat next to Chuck Norris's old director's viewfinder! [Editor's note: talk about burying the lead!]

The Best Camera

I have many - too many - but this is my favourite camera. 

Tools are irrelevant, but those who know will know this is the best one. 

Photography is how I started my journey into film, and I still shoot obsessively with this, the world's best camera.