The Cavalry Productions Signs Director Mark Pellington

The Cavalry Productions has signed Director Mark Pellington for spots, branded content and VR work. The announcement was made by company Executive Producer/Founder Ross Grogan and COO Aric Ackerman. The prolific director is probably best known for his iconic music video work, adventurous 3D documentary film for U2, dark, compelling films like Arlington Road and Mothman Prophecies, suspenseful TV fare like “Cold Case” and “Blind Spot” thoughtful branding campaigns for high profile brands such as United Healthcare, GMC, Merck and Apple.

Multi-Platform, Iconic Work

His story is well known. A Baltimore native, Pellington makes his way to Manhattan to work at a fledgling on-air promotions department at newbie music video channel MTV. After producing some cutting edge programming (BUZZ), Pellington starts directing music videos. His iconic imagery for Pearl Jam’s song “Jeremy” becomes the most popular in history and most honored music video of all time. The video ignites an all-ready booming directorial career that would soon include videos for U2, Nine Inch Nails, Alice in Chains, Dave Matthews band, Flaming Lips, Michael Jackson, etc. While working on TV programming and music videos, a vision for his future was planted. “I recognized that I communicate through the screen,” says Pellington. “It didn’t matter what size the screen, but that my work would evolve through these screens.”

Here Comes the Cavalry

Now at The Cavalry, Pellington reunites with EP Tanya Cohen, who first met Pellington while working at Crossroads Films. (This past July, producer Cohen and director Vance Malone moved over to The Cavalry from Industropop). “Mark is an amazing talent and a true multi-platform director,” she says. States Ackerman, “Ross, Tanya and I are so thrilled that Mark has joined The Cavalry family. He’s a prolific and groundbreaking director. We’re inspired that he has entrusted our team and our strategy with his commercial career. Grogan adds, “Mark’s creative energy is contagious, and I have been a big fan of his work throughout the years, a lot of which has significantly influenced me personally. It is truly a great pleasure to welcome him on board.”

For his part, Pellington wanted some new energy to represent him in the advertising world. “Everyone at The Cavalry has so much passion for what they do,” he says.

Love for Spot Work

Pellington’s desire for advertising is evident. “It can be immensely satisfying creatively when the ad agency and client put their faith and trust in my vision,” he says. “Spot work allows one to work in short bursts with great cinematographers. The budgets afford you the resources to refine your technique, try the latest toys or tools to tell the story.” 

Pellington points to a spot he did highlighting the frustrations of living with Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) for Eli Lily. In the spot, a woman attends an important boardroom meeting, but can’t stay focused in the moment. Images from her day flash across the screen, like someone channel surfing with the TV remote. “What if this wasn’t your TV,” says the voiceover. “What is this was you mind?” The spot tells viewers where to go online to take a simple test. “Some people say my work is a little dark,” says Pellington with a laugh. “I think campaigns like this show that I can do what’s appropriate for the story.”

Current Projects

Pellington is starting his second season on the NBC hit TV series Blindspot (director/EP on Season 1, EP for Season 2). His feature film The Last Word, starring Shirley MacLaine and Amanda Seyfried, is now slated for release in March 2017. Pellington has also recently wrapped a branding campaign for United Healthcare and is looking forward to actively engaging in more spot work.