London-based commercial/music video production house Bullet Films-headed by creative producers/partners Pete Chambers and Simon Poon Tip-has entered into an agreement to have several of its directors represented for commercials stateside through Highway 61, New York. These helmers include Steve Dell, Jake Knight, Adam Johnson, Max & Dania, Jamie Morgan, David Slade and Markus Walter.
Slade is best known for his Stone Temple Pilots’ music video, "Sour Girl," which was nominated in the best cinematography category of the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards. Additionally, Slade helmed Sony Playstation’s "Detective" out of TBWA GGT Simons Palmer, London. Chambers described Slade’s reel as containing "beautiful photographic work fused with a real edge in terms of the way he uses the camera and lens. The action is always quite dark and he also has a great understanding of post."
Johnson’s directorial credits include the World Development Movement’s "Bank Manager" via now defunct Bainsfair Sharkey Trott, which earned gold distinction at the British Television Advertising Awards in ’95. Chambers said that Johnson is Bullet’s "most experienced commercial director," with an affinity for storytelling and people-based work.
Morgan directed the promo "Worth the Wait" for London-based clothing designer Ozwald Boateng through its in-house agency. Chambers likened Morgan’s reel to the experience of "watching magazines ID or Vogue come to life. He was a photographer at The Face (an influential style and celebrity magazine) in London. He shoots beautiful frames and he gets great performances out of people."
Knight’s directing endeavors include Loginchillout.com’s "Stressball" through TBWA GGT Simons Palmer, London, and The Missing Suitcase, a short film he made through Eye Candy/Nexus Production Company, London. "He has a wonderfully odd sense of humor about his work, very deadpan and funny," said Chambers of Knight. "His use of characters and colors is great."
Through Hamburg, Germany-based Markenfilm, which reps him in the rest of Europe, Walter helmed sports club Kaifu Lodge’s "Bathtub" via Jung von Matt, Hamburg, Germany, and sneaker manufacturer Deichmann’s "Football" through Grey Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany. Walter began his career as an editor. "He plays with spatial awareness, so things are at once very big in frame and then very small," related Chambers. "He draws you in and makes you question what you’ve seen."
Max & Dania have made a number of videos including boy band Five’s "Everybody Get Up" (BMG) and Thunderbugs’ "It’s About Time" (Columbia). The directing duo is firmly established in London’s R&B/pop scene, exhibiting prowess in appealing to the youth market. "They bring a freshness to everything they do," assessed Chambers.
And Dell came over from the agency side, having served as a producer at J. Walter Thompson and BMP DDB, both in London. Chambers signed Dell after seeing his short films (i.e.-Neckbrace) about a pair of wrestling kebab storeowners. The work ran on MTV Europe. Chambers was enthralled: "They’re the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen."
