Director/cinematographer Albert Kodagolian–who was recognized in SHOOT‘s 2004 New Directors Showcase and has been building an impressive body of work–joined the roster at bicoastal/international Believe Media for representation in North America and many parts of the world. He will continue to be repped in Europe through Joy Films, a division of RSA in London.
He was previously repped stateside by Santa Monica-based Tate USA. Through Tate, his work included a number of high-profile U.S. commercials out of DDB Chicago for Budweiser such as this year’s Super Bowl spot “Journey,” a follow-up to “Born A Donkey” featuring a donkey that wanted to become a Clydesdale.
Kodagolian also directed three additional Budweiser spots, featuring Dale Earnhart Jr., which debuted during the Indy 500. Other Kodagolian-helmed U.S. work included a :60 cinema spot “Projectionist” featuring animated power cords for the Seattle Gay Lesbian Film Festival, which won six Telly Awards.
In Europe, he directed and lensed “Volume” for AEG via BBH London, which is currently airing in Europe. It takes place in a kitchen, and the concept is that the AEG appliances are so quiet that everything else sounds louder. “I shot it very cinematic and suspenseful,” the director related. “[For instance,], a man takes out a knife, and you hear a loud whoosh of metal, like a sword.
“Believe will rep me as a director; per job we will decide if I will shoot,” Kodagolian explained. “Lately I’ve been favoring shooting more of my work.”
Kodagolian also directed and lensed Moving On, his first short film that has already screened in several events including the 2004 Edinburgh International Film Festival, Britspotting 2005 in Berlin, and most recently at the Kodak/BAFTA short film showcase in London. “Moving On is about letting go of the past baggage and unresolved relationships that tie people down, to gracefully move on and not being bogged down by the past,” Kodagolian explained.
A graduate of the film school at the University of Southern California, Kodagolian said he enjoys work where he can be “very visual cinematically with a focus on storytelling, but with a lightness of touch, a bit of humor, maybe seamless special effects, but which are there for the storytelling. I pay attention to detail with casting so to have fresh faces that avoid clichés. But the script always dictates [the approach].”
The big picture, he explained, is delivering quality work. “I want to do great work that has integrity and that stands out as good communication and good advertising,” he said.
“[Believe] feels very vibrant, very creative, and with a very positive atmosphere. I felt really comfortable, and they understand the quality of work that I want to do.”
“I have a lot of respect for the roster of directors at Believe,” Kodagolian added. “As a production company, Believe had been featured as a top production company, they have been becoming a serious force where people go and expect great talent.”
At Believe, Kodagolian joins a roster that includes Anthea Benton, Nick Brandt, Nanette Burnstein, Carolyn Chen, Brown Bag Films, Tryan George, Jorn Haagen, Anders Hallberg, Jason Harrington, Erick Ifergan, Jaume, John Lindauer, Mister Boom Boom, Pucho, Brothers Quay, Stephane Sednaoui, Floria Sigismondi, Melissa Silverman, Jim Sonzero, Zack Snyder, Paul Street, Michal Utterbach, Vogel Villar-Rios, and Quad.
