Director S.R. “Robb” Bindler, a documentary and feature filmmaker whose spot clients include Nokia, Visa, Ford, Coca-Cola and Intel, has signed with Chelsea. Bindler was most recently represented by Savant Film and prior to that had a long tenure in the ad arena with Nonfiction Unlimited.
Bindler made his first major career splash with the quirky 1997 documentary Hands On A Hard Body, which chronicled an annual competition in Longview, Texas, where 24 contestants compete to win a pickup truck. All they have to do is be the last person standing with a hand still touching the truck in a battle of endurance that goes on for days.
The director later diversified into commercials and other projects. In ’08, he wrote and directed Surfer Dude starring Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey.
Chelsea’s L.A.-based partner Allison Amon said she had been tracking Bindler’s work ever since she saw Hands on a Hard Body. New York-based Chelsea partner Lisa Mehling cited Bindler’s “comedic chops and eye for natural detail” as drawing her to the director who makes his home in Los Angeles.
Director Lu Villaca Joins MADRE
Production company MADRE has added Brazilian director Lu Villaça to its talent roster. With degrees in cinema and performance and a master’s in screenwriting, Villaça brings a multifaceted approach to filmmaking. Villaça’s tastes have been shaped by her childhood training in ballet, studying Greek theatre texts, her passion for music, and her contemplative nature. She honed her cinematic skills early on as an AD and creative assistant before becoming a director. Intent on capturing the drama of everyday life as it plays out, Villaça is tuned in to how the bodies in her frame move through their environments and what elements of the story can be extrapolated from these compositions. Her sharp attention to detail in every aspect, from lighting to the final edit, is designed to connect emotionally with her audience. Villaça has been awarded three Cannes Lions for her film “Next Minute Law,” which promoted awareness of a law in Brazil designed to address the rampant epidemic of sexual violence. “Next Minute Law” also garnered Best Direction at El Ojo and the Ciclope Latino Festival, where Villaça also won Best New Talent. Additionally, she has directed assorted commercial campaigns for brands like Johnnie Walker, Huggies Wipes, Nestlé, Amazon, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, and a spot for Medley featuring Brazilian Olympic gymnast Rebeca Andrade. Prior to joining MADRE, Villaca had been repped by production house LOBO. Recognized in Brazil as a top music video director, Villaca won Best Female Direction for her work on “Nu” by Assucena and “Lovezinho” by Rachel Reis, which also won Best National Music Video at the MVF Awards. Villaça additionally co-directed the documentary Pagliacci, an homage to circus artist Domingos Montagner... Read More