the Talent
From Junior Creatives to ECDs, delve into career highlights (and lowlights) in our in-depth profiles.
The Way I See It: Erica Roberts
Growing up at the epicentre of 'mall rat' culture gave Erica Roberts a masterclass in consumerism. A brief flirtation with journalism aside, she embraced advertising, rising to become the Chief Creative Officer of BBH USA, working on campaigns for brands including Samsung, Jif and PayPal. Here, she discusses shared ambitions, the impact of AI on imagination, and turning obstacles into opportunities.
Chris Bettig: The Way I See It
The French American sculptor/artist/designer and Creative Director of YouTube has produced an incredibly varied body of work, from designing Converse trainers, to turning a Spike Jonze film into a 3D space. He talks to shots about about dumpster diving in the name of art, recycling old bedsteads and rebranding Google.
Icons + Innovators: Gaston Biogio & Anselmo Ramos
The Co-Founders and Creative Chairmen of GUT. Anselmo Ramos [right] and Gaston Bigio [left], on classic commercials, the correlation between awards performance and market performance, and why Cannes holds a special place in their hearts.
The people who make the spots you love, covering all aspects of production, post and sound.
shots Unsigned - Double Solitaire
For our latest interview of shots Unsigned talent we talk with Double Solitaire, the creative partnership of Tony Blahd and Lydia Fine. Here, they talk about their documentary The Cactus of Klaus featuring the artists Klaus Rinke, living in a church for a month, various creative roles they have had, and looking out for Cactus spines...
The Way I See It: MJ Delaney
Merman director MJ Delaney can count the Clintons, Spice Girls, Ted Lasso, and the new Christmas M&S ad among her oeuvre, but did you know she had slightly more canine ambitions as a child? Here, she talks to shots about the Welsh breakthroughs, words of wisdom, and perspective-altering baubles that have shaped her career.
Fern Berresford: fashioning a vision
Award-wining photographer and director Fern Berresford talks to Tim Cumming about realised dreams and new ambitions.
The Way I See It: Ellen Kuras
The Corner Shop director and DP Ellen Kuras reflects on her career and creative philosophy, tracing her path from history student to pioneering filmmaker, spanning documentaries, commercials, TV and features. Discussing her feature directorial debut, Lee, she explains how cameras can be used to create meaning and challenge traditional narratives.
Shooting at the summit: creative vision in life-and-death conditions
DPs Devin Whetstone and Matthew Irving take us behind the breathtaking visuals of Mountain Queen, a Netflix documentary about Lhakpa Sherpa’s record-breaking Everest climbs. The duo share their journey through the industry, the challenges of capturing life at high altitude, and how to balance creativity with survival.
Diana Olifirova's creative composition
Playful, experimental, impatient and driven, the award-winning Ukrainian cinematographer has brought her bold approach to colour and lighting to bodice-ripping bonkbusters and budget promos alike.
Food’s been framed
From whirling chicken wings to forkable yoghurt, Michelle Pak’s blend of precision and creativity has made her the go-to director for tasty tabletop spots sauced with cinematographic flair.
Kika Douglas: full-spectrum creativity
Chief creative officer at 180 Amsterdam Kika Douglas discusses the power of getting noticed, the secrets to leading and inspiring your clients as well as your team, and the expansion of female creatives across the industry
shots Unsigned: Jason Osborne
For our latest installment of shots Unsigned we talk with British director Jason Osborne. Here, we talk about his Netflix documentary Love Languages, finding the right barbers, selecting the right team for the shoot, and barbershop culture.
What's your first memory? Who were your influences? Find out more about your favourite creatives in our in-depth series.
The Way I See It: MJ Delaney
Merman director MJ Delaney can count the Clintons, Spice Girls, Ted Lasso, and the new Christmas M&S ad among her oeuvre, but did you know she had slightly more canine ambitions as a child? Here, she talks to shots about the Welsh breakthroughs, words of wisdom, and perspective-altering baubles that have shaped her career.
The Way I See It: Ellen Kuras
The Corner Shop director and DP Ellen Kuras reflects on her career and creative philosophy, tracing her path from history student to pioneering filmmaker, spanning documentaries, commercials, TV and features. Discussing her feature directorial debut, Lee, she explains how cameras can be used to create meaning and challenge traditional narratives.
The Way I See It: Edgar Wright
Spaced, Shaun Of The Dead, Scott Pilgrim, Last Night In Soho; regardless of your Edgar Wright entry-point, the frenetic filmmaker’s wit and passion makes fans of all who view his work. With a recent eyebrow-raising McDonald’s spot (shot through Moxie Pictures) an indication of more commercial work on the horizon, we caught up with Wright to chat about working with legends at an early age, the creative testbed offered by music videos, and how making yourself your own ‘dream viewer’ is the way to please those crowds.
The Way I See It: Sharon White
Sharon White, current Chair of John Lewis Partnership, is the first ever female to hold this position. Previously she’s held such notable roles as Chief Executive of British media regulator Ofcom and was the first Black person – and the second woman – to hold the title of Second Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury. In 2020 she received a Damehood in the New Year Honours List. She talked to shots about her pride in the John Lewis Partnership, car-crash weeks as a working mum and inspiration drawn from Michelle Obama.
The Way I See It: Luke Scott
From a boy on the set of his dad’s film, Alien, Luke Scott, award-winning director and the CEO of the Ridley Scott Creative Group, has gone on to gain his own valuable perspectives on filmmaking. His two-decade career has encompassed art directing, set building and directing TV (Raised By Wolves), features, ads and viral content for Prometheus and Blade Runner 2049. He shares his views on panopticons, prime ministers and the folly of space travel.
The Way I See It: Dede Laurentino
The multi-award-winning, Brazilian born Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy UK, André 'Dede' Laurentino, tells us about a difficult adolescence, life-changing trips to Europe, the feelings of inadequacy he has often struggled with, and why every creative person is punching back at the world.
Flying through the glass ceiling with Nicolas Ivan Bori
Packed with blockbuster visuals and an important message to match, Nicolas Bori's Breaking Glass picked up a Gold in the YDA's Film School > up to 10 minutes category. Here, shots finds out how the Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg student piloted dreams to success.
How Stink Films cares for directors who care
Daniel Bergmann, founder and president of Stink Films, explains why his company, which won a Gold Screen producers award at this year’s YDA, has always had a mission to nurture new directors and why they seek creatives who genuinely care about the work.
A YDA delivery for Vanessa Stachel
German director Vanessa Stachel secured a Gold in the YDA Animation, and Film School category for her short film Delivery For Mr. Frogula. Here, she talks about making the miniatures, the team involved in bringing the film to life, and hopes and dreams for the future.
Love Song’s soul-enriching search for new talent
Love Song Films was one of two companies to win a Gold Screen Production Company of the Year at the YDA this year. Founders Kelly Bayett and Daniel Wolfe talk to shots about the rewards of seeking shining stars and listening out for that distinctive voice.
How Victoria Warmerdam tackled bodily-autonomy through comedy
Clinching not just one but four YDA Golds, plus the Special Jury Prize, OAK Motion Pictures director Victoria Warmerdam's darkly comedy short, I'm Not a Robot, draws inspiration from CAPTCHA technology, vintage sci-fi aesthetics and psychological thrillers to address feminist themes of identity and objectification.
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Will Wightman's certain success
Picking up a YDA Gold Screen award in the Commercial category, BlinkInk director Will Wightman's campaign for Ore-Ida is a "super-weird" spot that celebrates the predictable. Here, he discusses Hollywood's Golden Age, embracing the unusual, and getting thrown into the deep end.
Why anonymity and channeled rage were essential for SHIRZAN to Rise
Despite winning the Changing the World Frame by Frame gold at this year's YDA, director SHIRZAN could not claim it; the anonymous alias essential in the tale of Iranian persecution. We caught up with them to speak about the origins of the story, the perilous shoot, and why it was important to share such heartbreak.
How Sindre Haram crafted a poignant tale of childhood isolation
Sindre Haram won a Gold screen YDA for his naturalistic portrait of a boy caught in the crosshairs of his parents’ divorce. Here he explains how he created a powerful narrative by mining the past, and recalling, then detaching from, his father’s story.
All things change with Davide Vicari
Italian director Davide Vicari secured a Gold in the YDA Music Video category for Massimo Pericolo's Le Cose Cambiano album trailer. Here, he talks about connecting the artist with the audience, using FPV drones, and thriving in the commercial world.
Good things come in threes; Emma Branderhorst's Cannes winning streak
In just three years, director Emma Branderhorst has clinched two YDA Golds, a D&AD award, and a Cannes Grand Prix; all before her graduation film debuted online. Here, we dive into her knack for tackling social issues, making a mark with young people, and casting non-actors effectively.
How LOOSE got tight with Football Beyond Borders
Picking up the Charity Commercial gold award at this year's YDA, Stink director LOOSE's authentic slice of footballing life hit the target. Here, she discusses how to score with a one-day shoot.
LIAKH's artistic endeavour
Spindle director LIAKH picked up a YDA Gold award at this year's ceremony for his carefully curated and brilliantly comedic spot for the Sainsbury Centre. Here, he explains how the film is a "loveletter with a bit of darkness mixed in", and why comedy is hard.
Emma Foley's tone-perfect, blackly-comedic Sound & Colour
Picking up the Short Film [10 minutes and over] prize at this year's YDA, writer/director Emma Foley's painfully honest account of a Irish family in denial hit the judges heartstrings. Here, we find out how the authentic relationships were brought to the screen, and how an enigmatic title can open viewers to challenging stories.