the Talent
From Junior Creatives to ECDs, delve into career highlights (and lowlights) in our in-depth profiles.
D&AD – In Conversation with PJ Pereira
shots co-editor Jamie Madge sits down with PJ Pereira, Creative Chairman at Pereira O’Dell and Jury President of Entertainment at D&AD Awards to chat about this year's awarded work and the unusual situations under which they judged it.
Tilting at windmills: building branded entertainment with Jae Goodman
Observatory CEO Jae Goodman talks to Rich Johnson about the developments in branded entertainment, why brands need to embrace it, and how he worried for a while that the agency's mantras were more Don Quixote than Don Draper.
The unmistakable food branding of Turner Duckworth
Daniel Huntley speaks to Christian Eager, Executive Creative Director at Agency Turner Duckworth London about branding for the world's biggest food brands.
The people who make the spots you love, covering all aspects of production, post and sound.
Creative Correspondence... with Trevor Robinson and Seb Jamous
As shots celebrates its 30th birthday we begin a series of features in which we ask one of our advertising icons to interview - and be interviewed by - a potential icon of the future. First up is legendary UK creative and director, Trevor Robinson OBE.
Why HALAL's investment in the future paid off
HALAL picked up the YDA Producer Award at the 2019 event for its huge contribution to the development of new directing talent. Partner and EP, Gijs Determeijer, explains the importance of investing in the future of the production business, what they look for in new talent, and why the YDA win means so much.
Shining a spotlight on Shynola's 20-year legacy
While Shynola, the three-man directing group, started out in animation, after two decades of working together they're pushing themselves and looking forward to the next wave of experimental work.
How Nick Cinelli's Bird With No Legs got him up and running
Studio Linguini director Nick Cinelli picked up a coveted Young Director Award last year for his animated short, A Bird With No Legs. He discusses the beauty of animation, the pros and cons of working within the school system, and how the YDA gave him a 'gust of confidence'.
Tiny Inventions on smart animation
1stAveMachine's Oscar-nominated directing duo of Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata speak to Carol Cooper about finding the new in existing forms, expressing the clarity of the craft and how animation is a contrast to, not substitute for, live-action shooting.
Maker by name, maker by nature
Melody Maker began her career in the world of fashion, before turning her talents to helming ambitious promos. Now, the Mill director is bringing her blend of reality, fantasy, live-action and VFX to commercials and creative tech. Selena Schleh meets a rising talent who exemplifies the new breed of creative ‘slashies.’
David Dearlove hits the target with award-winning film
Last year David Dearlove picked up the coveted shots Awards Europe New Director of the Year trophy for his brilliant film for Women's Aid. We spoke to him after his win and, below, you can read again his explanation of what it's like to hit the directing bullseye with his first dart.
What keeps Calmatic pushing the edge of greatness?
In 2019, director Calmatic skyrocketed onto the commercial scene, first with a promo for Lil Nas X and then landing a set of Super Bowl adverts for TurboTax. Here, he talks about his route into the business, his inspirations and what's next.
King of the Hill
As part of our New Talent Focus, we took the chance to speak with SMUGGLER director and Hollywood icon Jonah Hill about his music video and advertising work.
The latest interviews from the talent highlighted at the shots Awards Europe.
Director of the Year: Georgia Hudson
With a slew of great work behind her and last year's shots Awards Europe Director of the Year award sitting on her mantlepiece, Park Pictures' Georgia Hudson reveals why choosing faith over fear has paid dividends.
Production Company of the Year: Pulse Films
James Sorton and Davud Karbaassioun, Managing Director and President respectively of Pulse Films, 2019's shots Awards Europe Production Company of the Year, look back over a year of achievements and what helps them stand out.
Editing House of the Year: Final Cut
We speak to David Webb, editor and managing director of shots Awards Europe-winner Final Cut London, about what led them to have such a cracking 2019 and what the future holds for post production.
Audio Company of the Year: Factory
Continuing our conversations with the winners of this year's shots Awards Europe, we speak to Anthony Moore, founding partner and creative director at Factory, about the audiotastic work they've produced in the past 12 months and what 2020 brings.
Editor of the Year: Joe Guest
With his company, Final Cut, picking up Editing House of the Year, it's no great surprise that the industry titan should also pick up an award. We chat to Guest about his impressive body of work and how the future looks to him.
Em Cole: Senses working overtime
Creating witty, stylised, social-ready morsels of moving image, inspired by weird and wonderful corners of the internet, Em Cole is very much the post-digital director. She’s also an impressive auto-didact, who’s achieved much in her 26 years. She tells Carol Cooper about Swindon, splosh and synaesthesia
The Coyle-Larner Brothers keep it in the family
Ben Coyle-Larner, aka rapper Loyle Carner, and his brother Ryan have teamed up to create a potentially formidable directing force. With a slew of great promos for his own tracks providing a perfect training ground, and a desire to "take the plunge" as directors, these multi-skilled siblings are making all the right noises.
Ali Kurr's naked ambition
After a dazzling start to her career, making award-winning promos, director Ali Kurr had a spell in the wilderness. Now she's back with an impressive reel of spots and a comedy porno to boot. Fascinated by all things female, the creative polymath tells Selena Schleh why she refuses to make “stereotypical female work”.
Jesse Lewis-Reece takes on collaboration, learning, and creativity
The young director sat down with us to talk about his time spent working on his award winning project, BLEACH, how working so closely with the trans community impacted his work, and what he plans to do next.
Jess Kohl: The Prettybird breakthrough capturing the fringes of society
With her latest music video and a brand-new spot for Nike providing a hefty industry one-two punch, we speak to the filmmaker and photographer about what documenting marginalised communities has brought to her subsequent work.
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Charlie Stebbings; Not just any food director...
As the director of Mark's & Spencer's famous 'food porn' campaign, Rogue's Charlie Stebbings is no stranger to making things look simply too good to eat. Here, David Knight discusses the ingredients that go into making truly tasty commercials.
A Michelin-starred master of flavour
Cooking up culinary TV triumphs with Jamie and Nigella alongside a commercials reel sizzling with scrumptious spots for Lipton’s, Knorr, Asda and Laphraoig, Mike Matthews is no flash-in-the-pan success story. Selena Schleh meets a food and drink director who finds ‘delicious moments’ in everything from a stock cube to a boiled egg.
How young agency producers see the world of advertising
Biscuit Filmworks & Electric Theatre Collective's annual Young Producers Dinner took place last night. We caught up with some of the attendees to ask them about the challenges they face in their roles, what inspired them to get into the industry and why it's important not to feel alone.
Cut the tempo: How to edit for music video
As part of our Music Video focus Daniel Huntley spoke to Stitch/Homespun editor Max Windows about the art of editing for music videos.
Romain Chassaing: Fusing music videos and movies
With his ability to create fantastic, narrative-led music videos that feel like short films, Romain Chassaing has already taken the promo world by storm. David Knight talks to a director who is now repeating that feat in the commercials arena.
Paul Harrison: Making the grade
As part of this months music video focus Daniel Huntley asked Freefolk colourist Paul Harrison to 'shed some light' on the world of colour grading for music videos.
Karena Evans: Force of nature
The 24-year-old director has promos for Drake, Coldplay and SZA behind her, as well as a string of inventive commercials. Here, Tim Cumming finds out how tenacity, hard work and natural talent has combined to bring Evans to the fore.
Director of the Year: Georgia Hudson
With a slew of great work behind her and last year's shots Awards Europe Director of the Year award sitting on her mantlepiece, Park Pictures' Georgia Hudson reveals why choosing faith over fear has paid dividends.