Director Greg Bell has joined the roster of L.A.-based Community Films for U.S. representation.
Bell’s recent work includes widely aired comic fare for Lowe’s with BBDO Worldwide, an award-winning Snickers spot with a falling lumberjack, and Samsung’s Bixby digital assistant. His body of work also contains several rounds of spots with MLB superstar Buster Posey for Toyota, and, recently, Gary Cole of Veep and Office Space fame for Chrysler.
Having spent many years on the agency side of the business, Bell is a creative’s director who works collaboratively with creative teams to bring projects to life. As a comedic director, he has a knack for portraying real people in absurd situations and showcasing the delicious quirks of human nature through subtle performance. His likable casting and super-specific camera placement are fundamentals of his comedy.
Prior to becoming a commercial film director, Bell spent 15 years as one of the most awarded creatives in the advertising industry with stints at Cliff Freeman & Partners, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, and later co-founding his own creative shop, Venables Bell & Partners. During that time, he was the winner of numerous awards, including Cannes Gold Lions, One Show Gold, AICP Show-recognized work included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, the Clio Hall of Fame and two campaigns in USA Today’s “Best of the Decade.” Bell also earned inclusion into SHOOT’s 2011 New Directors Showcase.
Bell said he was drawn to Community by executive producers Carl Swan and Lizzie Schwartz. “I signed in my head with them about 15 minutes into our first meeting,” recalled Bell. “Lizzie and Carl are about as genuine and down-to-earth as they come, and you can tell they’re still doing it for the love of the work itself.”
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More