Director Chris Applebaum has signed with bicoastal Mutt Film for U.S. representation spanning commercials. music videos and branded content. Applebaum started directing music videos at 19 and went on to become a multiple MTV award winner and six-time Grammy Award nominee. He has directed iconic videos including Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Britney Spears’ “Overprotected,” and Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA.” Applebaum’s “Closing Time” for Semisonic was the first music video inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Applebaum also has to his credit multiple Super Bowl spots. His campaign with 72&Sunny for Carl’s Jr took the brand from middle of the pack to a high-profile leader in the food/restaurant category.. The commercials he directed were edgy, sexy and very funny. It was daring work at the time, helping the brand define itself and take its place in the popular zeitgeist.
Fashion and beauty are genres that became natural fits for Applebaum’s ability to make women look stunning. His grasp of and appreciation for lighting are at the core of his success. Campaigns for John Frieda, Wella and Head&Shoulders are just a few he put his signature stamp on. He has a natural gift for handling celebrities, knowing how to make them comfortable. Applebaum has also exhibited an affinity for shooting products and food. He has filmed hundreds of spots, including Muller with Nicole Sherzinger, Rooms to Go with Sophia Vergara, Sketchers with Kim Kardashian, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and McDonald’s. Prior to joining Mutt Film, Applebaum had been repped by Durable Goods.
Beth George, executive producer at Mutt Film, said, “We are excited at Mutt to welcome Chris not only because of the rich history and massive talent, but also because of how he has brought his well-honed skills to new work for social media. I’ve never seen someone with this much energy and delight in what he is doing. He is taking fashion & beauty to a very modern place. It’s raw natural lighting, handheld cameras and in your face performances. We love it and can’t wait to see what new work we can create together.”
Applebaum is joined at Mutt by his long-time EP Mike Brady who said, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Chris across many different areas of advertising and content. He is truly a talent, and brings enthusiasm and experience to everything he directs. His standout work for Yum brands was an eye opener, and he made the work unique and cool!”
Applebaum said, “People remember when I was 19 and signed with Propaganda/Satellite and making all the cool music videos. But what they don’t know about me is that I haven’t aged (internally). I embrace new technology, shoot a lot of stuff on the iPhone, shoot with smaller crews, and have thrown myself headlong into technology and film production 2024. It was important for me to align with a company that saw me as a Swiss Army Knife and to support how I embrace social media, the new era that we’re in, and where we’re looking forward and not back. This union brings the expertise and experience of decades of filmmaking, which means we can make fast, great, easy decisions about production, and marries it with the bright, exciting, childlike wonder of looking.”
