the Talent
From Junior Creatives to ECDs, delve into career highlights (and lowlights) in our in-depth profiles.
Young producers: the industry's new voices speak out
Last Thursday [2 Feb], Biscuit Filmworks and Electric Theatre Collective hosted their ninth annual Young Producers Dinner. shots caught up with some of the attendees to discuss their inspirations for joining the industry, the challenges the future might bring, and how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the role of producer.
The Way I See It: Stephen Ledger-Lomas
Stephen Ledger-Lomas went from an art-free upbringing to working with some of the UK's fashion and lifestyle icons, including Rankin, Jefferson Hack and Tyler Brulé. Mother's creative 'Galácticos' then came calling before he found a home at BBH London, where he is Chief Production Officer & Partner. Here, he discusses artistic passion, photographic penury and personal pain.
Weird Seance summons… Lynne Parker
Despite the wealth of brilliant female comedians - think Katherine Ryan, Sara Pascoe, Jo Brand - many still think 'women aren't funny'. Lynne Parker [fourth from right], is the founder of Funny Women and a champion of female comedians. She talks to Amy Kean about why so many men (and too many women) think females aren't funny, the creativity of comedy, and her ongoing mission.
The people who make the spots you love, covering all aspects of production, post and sound.
Dan Mace: facing his fears
Dan Mace burst onto the scene as a bright new directorial talent. Success in commercials followed, ahead of a triumphant YouTube career and collaboration with a Hollywood A-lister. But fear, anxiety and ego led to depression, alcohol and drugs. Here, Mace discusses not only facing those fears, but how they helped him flourish.
shots Unsigned: Noemi Varga
In our latest edition of chats with unsigned directing talent we speak with Noemi Varga. Here she talks us through her music video Daddy Issues for the band Exotic Girlfriend. We also discuss how filmmaking is a team sport, casting for the film, and future music video projects.
Daniel Milder: Consuming passions
Chef’s Table and Street Food director/producer Daniel Milder talks to shots about his zeal for celebrating the personalities, artistry and drama behind cuisine – and how character is the starting point for everything.
Expanding concepts: The flexible world of rubberband.
Stretch it any way you like, you’ll find magic percolating in the work of New York-based SMUGGLER directorial duo rubberband., AKA Jason Sondock and Simon Davis. Here they share with Tim Cumming the processes behind their cinematic storytelling on spots for Reebok, Nowness and Calvin Klein and more, and their artfully choreographed, conceptual music videos for artists including LCD Soundsystem, Goldlink and Steve Lacey.
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.
Nick and Chloé's adventures at the edges of consciousness
Like all good surrealists, CASEY directorial duo Nick West and Chloé Claverie mine the rich filmic opportunities afforded by strange landscapes, memories of infant dreams and mysterious hypnagogic happenings. Here they talk to Carol Cooper about the creation of their mesmerising music videos.
Gregory Ohrel: Provocateur with purpose
Kicking off January's Music Video Focus, Selena Schleh speaks to Gregory Ohrel, whose brutal, incendiary and stimulative promo for Puerto Rican rapper Residente’s protest track, This Is Not America, provoked deeper thought on the nature of nationalism.
Naturalism with an edge: the expert eye of Rodrigo Prieto
With a 25-year career lensing films for the likes of Martin Scorsese, Alejandro González Iñárritu and Ang Lee, Mexican DP Rodrigo Prieto is turning his attention towards direction, with an upcoming Netflix adaptation in the works. Here, he talks to Selena Schleh about his past projects in both roles, building on his reputation for being the master of emotional naturalism.
Creature feature: the fantastical world of John Nolan
From a bench-pressing rodent to filling Jurassic World with dinos, John Nolan has been flying the physical effects flag for over a decade. David Knight talks to the animatronic master about the importance of capturing magic in-camera.
Celebrating shots' 30th anniversary, industry luminaries pair up with up-and-comers in the field to talk shop and interview each other.
Creative Correspondence: Ringan Ledwidge & Nina Meredith
Ad legend Ledwidge talks to Rattling Stick rising star Meredith about beginnings in journalism, shooting a Christmas icon and underrated Jack Nicholson movies.
Creative Correspondence: Kai-Lu Hsiung & Alice Bloomfield
For our latest Creative Correspondence, industry legend and RSA Films Global MD Kai Hsiung is in conversation with new signing and former BFI Future Film Fest Black Dog Films Award winner Alice Bloomfield about breaking into commercials, the importance of testing the water and how the industry has changed for women.
Creative Correspondence: Sam Sneade & Ellie Johnson
Editing legend Sneade chats to the newly promoted partner at tenthree, Johnson, about the progression of their careers, the lack of industry rockstars and how cultivating talent is the most important part of the job.
Creative Correspondence: Kate Stanners & Mia Silverman
Saatchi & Saatchi's Global CCO, Kate Stanners, and up-and-coming Saatchi Art Director, Mia Silverman, discuss their respective careers, how the job has changed (and stayed the same), and why the growing need to deliver at speed can lead to bad work... but doesn't have to.
Creative Correspondence: Joe Guest and Lucy Berry
Final Cut's legendary editor speaks to up-and-coming top talent Berry in the latest of our Creative Correspondence conversations.
Creative Correspondence: Anthony Moore & Dylan Holmes Williams
Kicking off 2021's Creative Correspondence is multi-award winning sound designer, the Founding Partner and ECD of Factory, Anthony Moore, and Stink Rising director, talented short film maker and YDA winner, Dylan Holmes Williams.
The Way I See It: Rankin
Fashion and portrait photographer John Rankin Waddell, aka Rankin, has photographed a host of legends, from the Stones to the Spice Girls, and Madonna queen of pop, to Queen Elizabeth II. He also founded magazines Dazed & Confused and Hunger, and set up an agency, Rankin Creative. He talks to Carol Cooper about protests, periods and his passion for making – not taking – pictures.
shots Unsigned: Mayukh Goswami
In our latest edition of chats with unsigned directing talent we speak with Mayukh Goswami. Here he talks us through his music video No Hoodie co-directed with Sean Wehrli. We also discuss people watching on the subway, six months of cel animation, and his animation bibles.
YDA winner Arthur Studholme on making a name in comedy
With his awkward, surreal and utterly hilarious short, What's My Name?, Pulse Films director Studholme picked up a Gold at 2022's YDA. Here he discusses the origins of the unfortunate encounter, how a chance job with a prosthetics expert can make a micro-budget into a masterpiece, and why losing your lead actor the night before the shoot can sometimes work in your favour.
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.
Ani Acopian's adventures in aviation
Los Angeles-based filmmaker, social media maestro and tireless innovator Ani Acopian joined Park Pictures in June. She’s garnered attention for her witty short-form content, such as A World Artists Love for AWAL, and her spoof dating website for Amazon. She told shots about playing with boundaries, altering perceptions and her love of drones.
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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.
shots Unsigned: Sean Wehrli
In our latest edition of chats with unsigned directing talent we speak with Sean Wehrli. Here he talks us through his music video for Clans, his big music promo inspirations, and pivoting to take advantage of circumstances.
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.
YDA winners Nono+Rodrigo send an SOS from a planet in peril
Directing duo Nono+Rodrigo's epic short, Terra Cene, won a Gold Screen in this year's YDA category Changing the World Frame by Frame. Here, they tell shots about time capsules, terrifying countdowns and how shooting in Ukraine made it a dream project.
Emma Branderhorst's Spotless triumph
Emma Branderhorst's powerful and affecting short film highlights the impact of period poverty on a young girl's life. Here, Branderhorst explains her journey from in front of to behind the camera, how she put her faith in a brilliant but untested actress, and why winning YDA gold means the world.
Sebastian Hill-Esbrand's Family secrets
Sebastian Hill-Esbrand picked up a Gold Screen at this year's YDA for Family, his powerful charity film for the BC Centre on Substance Use. Here, he discusses his start in skateboard films, the difficulties in casting and the impact of imposter syndrome.
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.
The Way I See It: Laurent Simon
Currently the CCO of VMLY&R, Laurent Simon’s track record encompasses co-creating the first major John Lewis Christmas blockbuster, The Bear & The Hare, upholding the excellence of BBC2’s idents while helming the ship for BBC Creative, and bagging the Cannes Lion Effectiveness Grand Prix for Adam & Eve. He tells Tim Cumming about military strategies, the 'happiness hit' that awards bring and the value of diversity.