The Cavalry Productions, a commercial and digital production company, has signed director/DP Bryce Gubler for exclusive representation in the U.S. The announcement was made by Cavalry EPs Ross Grogan and Chris Wedding. Gubler has spent the last four years directing commercials, digital and documentary work for companies such as Nike, Red Bull and Canon.
Gubler had been working with ManaMedia out of Europe on spots and long-form work for the aforementioned Canon and Red Bull. The latter project, a six episode documentary series titled Game Quest chronicles the making of an extreme sports video game. Shot on location in central Europe and North America, Game Quest wedges a small game developer, Bongfish, between two mega-national corporations–racing against budget constraints and impossible deadlines to create a high-octane gaming experience. Directing and shooting this project booked Gubler up for almost two years.
Gubler’s other recent work includes long-form branding work for Canon (“Influencers”, “Wild Horses” and “Lake Garda and “Rad Ball,” highlighting Canon still and video cameras) and Nike’s “Always On” series of branding shorts. Two of the Nike shorts feature NBA basketball star Kobe Bryant and soccer superstar Christiano Ronaldo demonstrating that they are “always on” in everything they do.
The last four years has seen Gubler has come into his own as director/DP. Working as a post producer at ManaMedia, Gubler spent his spare time experimenting with the Canon EOS 5D MKII and was enthralled with the digital camera’s agility in the field and resulting images. As he tells it, ManaMedia was impressed enough with his talent that they asked him to direct and take a leadership role at the company. Soon Gubler was handling a high-profile client base that includes Microsoft, Nike, Red Bull and Canon. He also started working with agencies like Wieden & Kennedy, Sid Lee, Dentsu and 180Amsterdam.
Gubler said his extensive experience as an editor helps him know precisely what he needs to make a story shine. “I can visualize in advance what the end result will be and capture accordingly,” related Gubler. “It’s all about pre-visualization and knowing what you need to achieve the result you want in the end, and that’s a huge asset to have in your trunk of tricks.”
Gubler has always been fascinated with the moving image. Growing up he experimented and familiarized himself with 16mm, 35mm and various other camera systems. He credits his unique aesthetic to attending film school at the University of Colorado in Boulder. There he met with Phil Solomon and Stan Brakhage, two of his mentors at the college and both noted American experimental filmmakers. “I learned how to tell a story with image, how to orchestrate sequence,” said Gubler, who has taken up residence in Venice, Calif., and is looking to make his mark stateside.
DGA Feature Nominees: Audiard, Baker, Berger, Corbet and Mangold
The field of feature nominees for the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards spanning two categories is set. Nominated for the DGA honor for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 are: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez, Sean Baker for Anora, Edward Berger for Conclave, Brady Corbet for The Brutalist, and James Mangold for A Complete Unknown.
The DGA also revealed the nominees for the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film. The first-time narrative feature directors are: Payal Kapadia for All We Imagine as Light, Megan Park for My Old Ass, RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys, Halfdan Ullman Tondel for Armand, and Sean Wang for Diddy.
“2024 has been a truly extraordinary year for storytelling--and today’s nominees have created audacious and unique films that expand the possibilities of cinematic excellence,” said DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter. “I am thrilled to congratulate all our nominated directors for their brilliant work, which is visionary, inspirational and speaks to the depth of the human experience. To be chosen by one’s peers is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement and what makes these nominations so very special.”
The winners will be announced at the 77th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 8.
Here’s a fuller rundown of the nominees in both DGA Award categories:
THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 (in alphabetical order):
JACQUES AUDIARD
Emilia Pérez
(Netflix)
SEAN... Read More