Co-directors Chuck Bennett and Clay Williams have signed with Crossroads Films, bicoastal and Chicago, for exclusive representation worldwide.
A noted agency creative team who recently exited TBWA/ Chiat/Day, Los Angeles, to pursue spot directing careers (SHOOT, 4/14), Bennett and Williams had been courted by executives from assorted production houses over the past month and a half. During that time, the directorial duo explored various options, including joining the roster of or forming a satellite in association with a top-tier commercial production house. While the satellite notion initially appealed to Bennett and Williams, ultimately they thought it would get in the way of their first priority: securing work that would help to firmly establish themselves as directors.
"Crossroads was one of the companies willing to set up a satellite for us," related Bennett. "But as we got into the details, it started to get complicated. For us to be saddled with running a satellite would just take away from our purpose. We want to get beyond our creative reputations, and push beyond just being creatives who became directors. The only way to do that is to get good work."
Bennett and Williams said they chose Crossroads on the strength of its people-including partner/executive producer Cami Taylor-and the support the shop offers to directors. "We felt they regarded us as being an important part of their roster," said Williams, who additionally noted that the company has strong international ties. "They’re positioned to get us good creative here and possibly from outside the U.S. as well." Bennett added that overseas connections could also prove useful for producing U.S. work given the current actors’ strike.
Crossroads has relationships with Avion Film Productions, Toronto, and London-based Cowboy Films. According to Taylor, plans for further global expansion are in the offing.
