Director Mike Warzin has come aboard the roster of production company Arts & Sciences for U.S. representation. He had previously been handled by Cap Gun Collective. Warzin brings to Arts & Sciences expertise not only as a filmmaker but also on the agency side as a former creative.
A film graduate from Columbia College Chicago, Warzin began his career in advertising in 2008 when he was one of a lucky 13 to join Wieden+Kennedy’s prestigious WK 12 program. WK 12 served as a crash course in commercialmaking—Warzin maintains that he’s never worked so hard for something in his life—and it paid off. Following the program he stayed with Wieden+Kennedy as an art director and writer on Nike for nearly four years before transitioning to a senior creative role at Anomaly. His work as a creative for Nike, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Budweiser gained awards and recognition from Cannes Lions, the AICP Show, the Clios, the Effie Awards, and the D&ADs. Throughout this time, Warzin was fortunate to collaborate with and learn from A-list directors, DPs, and editors, many of whom were encouraging of his own desire to direct. Ultimately, he took their advice and since then has completed projects for Brand Jordan, Smirnoff, Adidas and Brooks, among others.
“Mike’s reputation and talent as a creative was well known. I’ve watched his evolution to directing full time and am wildly impressed by the craft, attention to detail, and visual style he brings to his work”, said Mal Ward, managing director, Arts & Sciences. “His ability to direct across multiple genres while still having a concise and original vision is just one of the many reasons why we’re excited to have him join A&S.”
Warzin noted, “I’ve always respected what Mal and Marc [EP/partner Marrie] at Arts & Sciences have built. To be joining the roster at a smaller company whose mission it is to champion their artists and produce new, quality commercial and experimental work is both flattering and a dream come true.”
Arts & Sciences is repped on the West Coast by Dexter Randazzo and Aaron Friedland at The Department of Sales, in the Midwest by Mary Kate Hatfield at MKH, and on the East Coast by Tara Averill and John Robertson at Representation Co
Eleanor Adds Director Candice Vernon To Its Roster For Spots and Branded Content
Director Candice Vernon has joined production house Eleanor for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. She has already wrapped several jobs at Eleanor, which waited to announce her until they had a body of work together.
Via Eleanor, Vernon made history as the first Black director on a Febreze commercial. The “Small Spaces” campaign marks a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of the “Revolving Door” commercial is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
Vernon said, “I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new? I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the success of the “Small Spaces” campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Febreze Brand VP Angelica Matthews said, “About two years ago, we realized the consumers that were the most loyal to Febreze were the African American consumers. And the more we learned, the more we realized the richness that we were really missing. So we said we have to go beyond just Black casting, we need to get Black directors that truly understand the culture that truly understand how to bring authentic performances out on screen. We really looked around the industry and noticed there’s actually a shortage of African American directors who have experience doing commercials. When we all saw Candice’s reel, we could all tell the passion for the craft, passion for really trying to help us from where we are to where we’re trying to go.”
Vernon brings a unique lens to... Read More