On May 25, SHOOT unveiled its fourth annual New Directors Showcase reel. The 25 helmers–including three two-person teams–selected for the Showcase come from diverse backgrounds. However, the bond they share is great style, vision and commitment–whether it be reflected in comedy, visuals or storytelling. Helping fashion the Showcase lineup were entries from SHOOT‘s ongoing “The Best Work You May Never See” gallery, assorted submissions, and feedback from agency creatives and producers. Here’s a look at this year’s field:
Adam Smith
RSA
Coca Cola’s “Ringtone”
Children Society’s “Walking”
How did you get into directing?
Whilst doing a photography course I made a short film shot on super 8 (nemesis) which got me onto a film and video degree course at London College of Printing. During this time some friends and I were doing visuals for various clubs & bands under the name of Vegetable Vision (” a state of mind not a plate of food”). After two years of the course I ran away on tour with a band and Vegetable Vision became a full time occupation. Five years of providing visuals for artists including Chemical Brothers,U2 and Beth Orton and various events followed but I grew frustrated with just matching images to music and wanted to properly direct so made a documentary about a group of men who re enact the Vietnam war in Kent (they are all English) which Channel 4 screened.
Why do you want to direct commercials?
I like the idea of being presented with a brilliant script or idea and being allowed to develop and interpret it rather than having to come up with the original idea (which is generally what happens with promos).I am interested in doing comedic and narrative commercials and relish the challenge of trying to make a story or a gag work over a very short space of time. Also a lot of my work is quite collaborative with the artists that I have worked with so it appeals to me to work with exciting creatives that have great ideas.
What is your most recent spot project?
I made a commercial for the Children’s Society and a music video for The Streets “never went to church”
Do you have plans to work in other areas–e.g., shorts, films, features or TV? Have you ever done any of that in the past?
I have made three documentaries and a short film/musical/extended video called What goes up (must come down). Working with actors and storytelling is something I really love doing so yes I fully intend to make many films !
What do you think is the best part about being a director?
On set or in the edit looking at an amazing performance which is also a great shot.
What’s the worst part?
On set or in the edit looking at a terrible performance which is also an appalling shot (this obviously hardly ever happens…)
