Commercial and music video director Katie Bell has joined Grand Large for U.S. representation. Her signing adds another woman director to a roster which already has strong female representation.
Known for her ability to elicit natural and moving performances from children and adults, as well as for her ability to create authentic and beautiful scenes, Bell joins Grand Large after several years working freelance from her London base. Prior to joining Grand Large, she had been repped by Wild Plum in the U.S. ad market.
“I love Katie’s work and the sensitivity it reflects,” said Steve Horton, Grand Large founder and executive producer. “I believe it really strikes a chord in this business at this time.”
Bell started her film career at MTV Europe after training to be a graphic designer. Her titles for Jean Paul Gaultier’s 1990s late-night TV show, Eurotrash, resulted in Bell being asked to direct her first music video. After working all over the world with artists such as The Bee Gees, Boyzone, Girls Aloud, Rachel Stevens, and Myleene Klass, Bell moved on to directing commercials.
Recent spots she’s directed include a campaign for Amazon’s Alexa, as well as ads for John Lewis, Danone, Kraft, Walmart and Minute Maid. Her work at times conveys a simple story in a serene environment, but that’s not necessarily the story behind the scenes.
Recalling the Amazon production, Bell explained, “It was real team work. We shot for 10 days and one night to produce eight films, in five languages each. I was given a cinematic freehand, which is wonderful. But in terms of the production, I’m quite pleased that–despite the planning and work that went into it–you only see seamless and naturalistic stories.”
Bell described the Amazon creative as exactly the type of work she loves to do: “Slices of life, sometimes with kids, and visual storytelling with little moments in time.”
Bell joins a Grand Large roster that also includes award-winning female directors Julie Taymor, Gaysorn Thavat, Lisa Immordino Vreeland, and Tracey Rowe, as well as fashion/beauty newcomer Elle, Tom Kan, Tran Anh Hung and Favourite Colour: Black.
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More