Bicoastal Station Film has signed L.A.-based comedy director Sean Cunningham for commercials and branded content. Cunningham’s first job at his new roost is a humorous Chick-fil-A spot, “Groove,” for McCann New York.
Cunningham’s other recent work includes a client-direct piece, “Babysitter,” for Columbus Craft Meats, which depicts an easy-going couple giving their punk babysitter the rundown on her assignment while simultaneously realizing it’s the babysitter who needs babysitting. Cunningham is also the director behind the viral hit “Office Hottie” for Rolo, which centers on the hilarious daydreams of two young women completely smitten over an office hottie–but ultimately not enough for one of the lovesick gals to give up her last Rolo. “Office Hottie” earned a Young Director Award (YDA) nomination at Cannes Lions 2015.
Prior to joining Station, Cunningham directed spots and branded fare via his own Hero Status Films, which he continues to maintain for shorts and personal projects. His primary focus, though, is on the ad arena via Station.
“Station is a great company for me because of the experience and character of the people working there,” Cunningham said. “Everyone is in my corner. My sense of humor drives my reel, and the Station team garners opportunities where I can best put it to work. On my shoot for Chick-fil-A with McCann, we had a blast volleying around ideas, even the day we were filming. It was a pleasure to collaborate with creatives that keep an open mind throughout the whole process.”
Stephen Orent, managing partner, Station Film, described Cunningham as “a talented filmmaker” with “a great sense of humor that’s reflected in his work, especially his casting and performance. He also has a strong visual sensibility which enables him to deliver both those entertaining comedic commercials and more dramatic content.”
Caroline Gibney, Station Film partner/executive producer, added, “Sean’s energy and enthusiasm are infectious. Seeing him in action, bringing a fresh perspective to the process and really enjoying it gets down to why we do what we do.”
Cunningham’s work also includes memorable lifestyle-driven commercials and branded content for Chevrolet, American Express, AT&T and Eastern Bank which are beautifully composed and performance-driven, and strike a resounding chord of empathy in viewers. His short film This is When We Met, a charming and poetic look at the seasons of a relationship, was curated at film festivals in the U.S. and Europe and featured on tastemakers like Short of the Week.
Whether drama or comedy, Cunningham draws from boots on the ground in New York where he moved after graduating from Binghamton University. He put his cinema studies and boyhood passion for movies to work writing, directing, shooting and editing a variety of projects, including corporate, fashion and tourism films. That culminated in four years freelance directing through his Hero Status Films, before he moved to Los Angeles.
“I think a strong advantage I have as a commercial director today where we’re often asked for many deliverables on a short turnaround, is that I come from a background of directing many shoestring budgets, with grueling hours and minimal crew,” Cunningham said. “Pretty much everything against us at all times. It has made me very nimble to production and creative challenges.”