Argyle Brothers, the New York-headquartered production house, has expanded its directorial roster with the signing of Stephen Pearson, who spent the past four years at Hungry Man. Among his notable credits is the lauded JCPenney “Return to the Doghouse” campaign for Saatchi & Saatchi New York–a challenging project in that it was the follow-up a year later to the acclaimed “Beware of the Doghouse” web short directed by Hungry Man’s Bryan Buckley.
However, Pearson’s effort proved that you can teach an old doghouse new tricks. The director’s film took us inside the doghouse where a review board of women dole out sentencing to men who are unthoughtful spouses and gift givers (bestowing such presents on their wives as a paper shredder, a robe from a hotel, a hammer drill and a beer-making kit). One offender seems destined for a lengthy stay in doghouse accommodations until he flashes his escape card, which is housed in a JCPenney jewelry box: a necklace. The review/parole board is impressed and releases him, with both the guy and the women in judgement knowing full well that he will likely be returning shortly.
Pearson is currently about to embark on a project with agency Barton F. Graf 9000, headed by chief creative officer Gerry Graf whom he collaborated with on “Return to the Doghouse” when Graf was CCO at Saatchi.
Over the years, Pearson’s directing credits span such clients as Burger King, Microsoft, H&R Block, Miller High Life, Travel Channel, Domino’s, Southwest Airlines and Coors Light. Prior to his directorial career, Pearson served for nearly 15 years on the agency side as an art director and/or copywriter at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, Merkley, Mad Dogs & Englishmen, and Dweck & Campbell.
Pearson’s work has garnered several awards including Cannes Lions, One Show Pencils, Art Directors Club Awards, Andy Awards, London International Advertising Awards, Addy Awards, Communication Arts Annuals, Clio Awards, British Design & Art Direction, AICP Show honors and an Emmy Award nomination.
“We want to keep the shop small and focused, but I’m so glad that Stephen has joined our team of directors,” said director John Mastromonaco of Argyle Brothers. “As a director I’m really impressed by Stephen’s casting and performances, and his smart directorial decisions.”
Argyle Brothers’ directorial roster includes Pearson, Mastromonaco, Hubert Davis and Jonathan Nowak.
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