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.
Rising voices: young producers on creativity, challenges, and change
Last night, Electric Theatre Collective and Biscuit Filmworks hosted the annual Young Producers Dinner. shots joined in to soak up the atmosphere, chatting with a new generation of producers about their inspirations, what drew them to the industry, and the challenges they see ahead.
Tanu Muino: shooting for the stars
Known for her madcap collaborations with artists from Harry Styles to Dua Lipa, Ukrainian-Cuban director Tanu Muino’s music videos are defined by bold styling, daring choreography, and captivating architecture. From performing arts clubs to MTV, she reflects on the influences that shaped her vision and encourages the industry to collaborate with Ukrainian talent.
The Way I See It: Rhea Scott
From Grammy-winning music videos for the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Madonna to the Oscar-winning short Logorama, Little Minx founder and uber-producer Rhea Scott has built her three-decade-long career in production on a sculptor’s ability to shape raw potential into something extraordinary. As Little Minx celebrates its 25th anniversary, Scott talks to shots about being born twice, the need for more ‘doing’ when it comes to diversity, and why a salmon is her spirit animal.
Brian Bernard's musical musings
Brian Bernard is Audio Director and Engineer at Grayson Music and also this year's Head Judge for the Music & Sound Design category of 2025's shots Awards The Americas. Here, he talks about the audio magic he's hoping to hear.
Hannah Lux Davis: the high priestess of pop promos
With her knack for crafting blockbuster music videos that attract record-breaking numbers of eyeballs, it’s no wonder pop’s elite are flocking to London Alley director Hannah Lux Davis. Her secret weapons? Impeccable styling, bold choreography - and a ‘pretty gritty’ aesthetic.
Pennacky: Shooting out of the ordinary
Japan’s rising star of the music video world talks to Tim Cumming about his distinctive work, his methods and aesthetics.
shots Unsigned: Werner Vivier
For our final interview of shots Unsigned talent in 2024 we talk with South African-Swiss writer and director Werner Vivier. Here, he talks about his short film Fine Dining, annoying his family with Disney's Hercules rewatches, taking a leap of faith with his career, and the trials and tribulations of a one-take shot.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.