The New Talent Focus

Who are the breakthrough stars of tomorrow? What can companies do to bring in voices that need to be heard? The industry speaks on the discovery and nurturing of aspiring auteurs.

Talent

Poetry in motion

Fuelled by an immense imagination, multi-faceted creative Caleb Femi unites words and visuals to magical effect, effortlessly moving from page to screen and back again with a body of work that spans poetry, short films, commercials, TV and even a live catwalk show. Whatever the field, he tells Selena Schleh, the story remains his north star.

Talent

People-watching with Michelle Savill

Award-winning New Zealand director Michelle Savill is an astute observer of human behaviour. Her first feature film Millie Lies Low premiered at Berlin International Film Festival and SXSW earlier this year, following which she was signed to Arts & Sciences. She spoke to shots about the challenges of shooting on a shoestring and how a missed flight disaster proved inspirational.

Talent

Lessons to be learned

Known for his soulful films exploring pressing social issues, New Orleans-based filmmaker Abraham Felix was signed by Curfew earlier this year. Here, he tells shots about his inspirations and passion for filmmaking and about the creation of his award-winning campaign The Unspoken Curriculum, produced by Windy Films for the Boris L. Henson Foundation.

Talent

Jack Howard: The clown prince of content

We speak to the established YouTuber and fledgling commercial director Jack Howard about how to make the transition, as well as finding out how OB Management's Jez Murrell is guiding him through the funny business of brands.

Insight

The power of mentorships: coupling up for creativity

New talent needs to be given every opportunity to thrive and succeed and one way of ensuring that is through mentorship schemes. Tim Cumming talks to mentors and mentees about learning their craft, absorbing inspiration and unleashing their talent.

Talent

Atlas Acopian's adventures in aviation

Los Angeles-based filmmaker, social media maestro and tireless innovator Atlas Acopian joined Park Pictures in June. He’s garnered attention for his witty short-form content, such as A World Artists Love for AWAL, and his spoof dating website for Amazon. He told shots about playing with boundaries, altering perceptions and his love of drones.

Insight

The forgotten talent pool: How our industry is ignoring its greatest assets

shots' current new talent focus looks at the best and brightest coming through the ranks of advertising. But is the industry too obsessed with youth, and is advertising's 'cult of the new' attitude doing a disservice to the talented 'older' creatives? Nicky Bullard, Group CCO at MullenLowe London, aged 53 years, eight months and 13 days, gives her view.

Insight

Advertising’s got talent

Tim Cumming talks to a range of producers and curators about the new routes that up-and-coming directorial talent are now taking into the industry.

Insight

Investing in diverse new talent must be more than checking a box

Thibaut Estellon, Founder & Executive Producer at REVERSE, believes the industry can do more for emerging talent, especially those from diverse backgrounds, and argues that experience isn't everything.

Talent

Cinematic visuals with a disruptive edge? Better call Sau

Greatcoat Films' Newham-born director Sau Ali has built a solid portfolio within six short months in the business, including music videos for artists including Henny Knightz and Raptum, as well as branded content for Samsung, New Balance and Vice. Here he tells shots how short-form filmmaking can nurture a blockbuster spirit.

Insight

How to provide a multi-generational company culture and why one size doesn’t fit all

With new talent focusing on culture when considering joining companies, Parry Jones, Deputy CEO of the What’s Possible Group explores how to create a winning workplace for all ages.

Insight

The democratisation of production: why access can’t replace experience

Dalia Burde, Founder/Executive Producer at Avocados and Coconuts, argues that encouraging new talent to get the most out of their ability is crucial, but the difference between opportunity and exploitation can be a fine line.

Inspiration

Zoë Neary: A Few Of My Favourite Things

The Ruffian director talks us through the folklore, journals and blooming hearts that keep her creativity fresh.

Insight

The future of directing is multi-skilled

Jamie Cox, executive producer and head of Ballistic at Great Guns, writes about why the industry will only benefit from embracing the next crop of multi-skilled directors.

Inspiration

Jamie Whitby: A Few Of My Favourite Things

UKMVA-nominated Agile Films director Jamie Whitby tells us how sitting on set helps actor interactions, why classic cameras never need updating and that his highly-conceptual approach might come from his father's LSD fascination.

The Photography & Cinematography Focus

In a cacophonous digital culture that bombards us with a stream of personal image-sharing and branded visuals, it can be hard for photography to stand out. This month, shots pulls focus on the DPs and photographers whose work sets the optic nerves a-tingle and considers the input of non-human image generators.

The Inspiration Focus

What are the cultural artefacts, random objects, rituals and synaptic sparks that generate fresh ideas? We talk to some of ad land’s most innovative thinkers about creative inspiration. What it is, where they find it and do the AI bots have it too...

The YDA 2024 Focus

The rising stars who won Golds in this year’s Young Director Award share with shots the origins and ideas and behind their films, the production highs and lows and what they’re planning next.

The Music and Sound Focus

With sometimes just seconds to tell a story and set tone, the aurals – as well as the visuals – need to be spot on in ads. This month we sound out the musical maestros and foley funsters worth listening out for.

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