Gillean Proctor, a Scottish-born director who is now based in Vancouver, B.C., has joined eo productions, New York, for exclusive representation to direct commercials in the U.S. Proctors specialties include tabletop as well as car commercials. He signed with the company last month and is the first director on eos roster. Proctor was initially represented in the U.S. from 86 to 89 by bicoastal/international The Artists Company. In the early A90s, Proctor was last represented in the U.S. by bicoastal RSA USA. In recent years, he has been without stateside representation. Proctor continues to be repped by The Artists Companys London office for U.K. assignments, and The Partners Film Co. Ltd., Toronto, for Canadian work.
Eo was founded in January by Nancy Early, who is the companys president and executive producer. Early was formerly executive producer at ARF & Co., Hoboken, N.J., where she executive produced for owner/ director Alex Fernbach for 10 years. Early left ARF & Co. in November with no definite plan about her future, though she did not at the time rule out the possibility of starting a production company (SHOOT, 11/20/98, p. 8). She came around to the decision due to enthusiasm from agency contacts who said they would like to work with her if and when she started a new shop. Early additionally continues as president of the AICPs East Coast chapter.
Early wanted Proctor on the eo roster because he was one of the best of the tabletop genre. I realized that having come out of 10 years of working in the tabletop arena, I knew more about that category than any other for the moment, she said. It was an attraction that was meant to be. She also noted that she enjoyed Proctors sometimes tongue-in-cheek approach to his work.
Proctor finished his first directing job for eo the first week of March-an assignment from Ammirati Puris Lintas, New York. Shot in Toronto, the spot is a tabletop piece for Burger King that introduces a new spicy chicken sandwich.
Meanwhile, Proctor also keeps active globally. At press time, he was in Hamburg on a Nivea spot for FCB/Wilkens, Hamburg. He is then scheduled to embark on a spot for a French mayonnaise product for Ammirati Puris Lintas, Paris. The latter, a London shoot, will be produced by The Artists Company and employ animatronic effects to give life to the denizens of a refrigerator.
Proctor began his career as a still photographer in London working on print advertising jobs. He made his switch to directing when, after a print campaign for Q-Tips, he was asked to direct the ensuing television commercial. That spot went on to win a Bronze Lion at Cannes. Proctor later moved to Canada and helped launch The Directors Film Company, Toronto, with director Jeremiah Chechik. After returning to London a few years ago, Proctor is now back on this side of the Atlantic, residing in Vancouver. He has been directing mostly tabletop and car spots.
Proctor, reached by phone in Hamburg during his shoot, emphasized that the U.S. market is now his first priority and said that he signed with eo because he felt very positive about his chemistry with Early. What I needed coming back to the American market is really strong representation, said Proctor. I think Nancy can give me the commitment I need in terms of sales and getting me back in the loop there. Though he said he would be looking for tabletop and car spots, Proctor hopes to also begin directing more people-oriented spots.
Timothy Hayes & Co., New York, will be exclusively representing eo in the U.S. Early foresees eo eventually handling three or four directors. She is currently looking at reels and explained that eo would not simply focus on the tabletop discipline.
The name of the company, eo, is taken from the Greek prefix that means early.
