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Witness Studios appoints Rory Calder as EP
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Calder joins as Executive Producer, reinforcing the studio’s commitment to human storytelling in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Witness Studios, the London-based studio known for emotionally powerful commercials and brand documentaries rooted in real human stories, has appointed award-winning producer Rory Calder as Executive Producer, reinforcing the studio’s commitment to human storytelling in an increasingly AI-driven world.
With over a decade at London’s top agencies and production companies, producing global work for Netflix, Google, The Olympic Channel and Red Bull, Calder joins Witness Studios to help shape its next chapter. He will play a key role in broadening its production capabilities, growing its director roster and deepening relationships with brands and agencies seeking stories rooted in truth and humanity.
As audiences grow increasingly sceptical about what is ‘real’, Witness Studios are responding by doubling down on people, human experience and films committed to emotional credibility.
Alongside traditional commercial work, the studio continues to expand further into direct-to-brand projects and collaborations across an ever-growing landscape of digital broadcasters and platforms, creating space for more nuanced, sustainable connections with audiences.
Co-founder Ben Hanson said: “We believe Witness Studios should stand for work that feels unmistakably real. In a world where technology is making it harder to know what is genuine, audiences are craving honesty, trust and genuine connection. Rory understands that instinctively. His work has always put people first, and that’s exactly the kind of leadership we want as we build the next phase of Witness Studios.”
Calder added: “It’s a strange time in the production industry at the moment. As the tools and mediums we work with continue to shift, it feels right to be leaning into something universal and enduring: films that truly connect with audiences across channels and platforms, and telling real human stories with craft, curiosity and sensitivity. Witness Studios do this as well as anyone, and I couldn’t be happier to be joining them to help shape their next stage of growth. Last year, Witness Studios had a busy year producing campaigns for global brands including Dell Technologies, Save the Children, Wimbledon, Premier League, University College London and Google.
Founders Simon and Ben, under their director moniker Witness, directed a Samaritans campaign in partnership with Brighton & Hove Albion, which spread organically to over 10 million people within days, amplified by attention from global publications, celebrities, influencers and genuine audience sharing, a reminder of the power of work audiences recognise as real.
“We are incredibly proud of the work that has come out of Witness Studios this year and the genuine impact some of these films have had in the real world” says Simon. “With Rory on board, we want to keep proving that commercial work can be deeply human, creatively ambitious and genuinely meaningful.
