International production company Great Guns has brought director and screenwriter Justin Casselle aboard its roster for representation in the U.S.
Casselle began his journey in the industry as a creative producer, working for such agencies as DDB Chicago, FCB Chicago, and Deutsch. During this time, he produced commercials and branded content for the likes of McDonald’s, Jeep, and Apple–in addition to a number of digital series. Alongside his role as a producer, Casselle worked to hone his skills as a director, helming music videos for Deanna Devore and Kinky Love before pursuing a career in directing and screenwriting.
Since then, he has directed multiple commercials, shorts, digital series, and sketches in the comedy genre, as well as working on both long and short-form screenplays. Ranging from dark comedies and dramedies to romcoms, his work is notable for its sharp sense of social commentary and interrogation of masculinity, privilege, and social norms. As a champion of inclusion and diversity, his web series The Right Swipe explored the challenges of dating at various intersections of marginalized identity through a comedic lens–a project which ensured diverse hiring both in front of and behind the camera.
Casselle's subtle, comedic approach is evident most recently in his “Stack up the Moments” campaign for the Pearl Milling Company (from multicultural agency Ten35 and production company Method & Madness)–the first commercial since the client rebranded from Aunt Jemima earlier this year. Having also worked for brands including Old Forester Bourbon and Realtor.com, Casselle is now a finalist in the 2021 Class for the Commercial Directors Diversity Program created by the AICP and the Directors Guild of America. Additionally his light-hearted comedy short Valentine’s Day First Date was recently an official selection at the 2021 Denton Black Film Festival. He has also been recognized at the Austin Film Festival, New Orleans Film Festival, and Urbanworld Film Festival among many others.
Enthused over joining Great Guns, Casselle shared, “The past 18 months have been challenging for obvious reasons, but I really feel I’ve used the time to reflect and be inspired. The trickiest bit was telling myself my time would come, but it really feels like it has now. There are great days ahead, and I can’t wait to see what we achieve.”
Oliver Fuselier, managing director and EP of Great Guns USA, added, “I am excited to welcome Justin to Great Guns USA roster for two reasons. Firstly, he comes from the agency side having worked with some of our industry’s biggest and best directors–seeing first-hand what it takes to succeed at the highest level as a director. Secondly, he brings his personal brand of warmth and a style of storytelling that adds a level of authentic emotion to his work. Both are a great recipe for success as a director today.”
