Greg Popp
Greg Popp
Budweiser “Catch Phrase” and “Dueling Mics”
Agency: DDB Chicago
Production: Chelsea Pictures, bicoastal/international
DP: Pierre Rouger
Editorial: School, Toronto
Editor: David Hicks
Affiliation: Supply & Demand, bicoastal
How did you get into directing? I went to college as a pre-med, but took a class in introductory filmmaking. Basic coverage was demonstrated in a lesson–wide shot, medium shot, close ups, in sequential takes–and I was like, ‘Wow, that’s how it’s done!’ From then on, that was all she wrote.
Why do you want to direct commercials? I was a filmmaker in college, worked briefly in features, and have been a student of advertising for 19 years. Directing is the inevitable and inescapable destination for me.
What’s your most recent spot project? A package of Bud spots with the droll and understated FOX sportscaster Joe Buck.
Do you have plans to work in other areas–e.g. shorts films or features or TV? Have you ever done any of that in the past? I’ve worked on shorts that have appeared on everything from HBO to Budweiser’s Web-based “True Films.” For now, I’m primarily interested in further building my skills via commercial work.
What do you think is the best part about being a director? The best part is being accountable for the craft, art, and execution of a client’s script.
What’s the worst part? The worst part is being accountable for the craft, art, and execution of a client’s script.
Who is (are) your mentor(s)? As I concluded my producing career, I realized that I’d shot more with David Kellogg [of bicoastal Anonymous Content] than any other director. He taught me the importance of working the script long after the job awards, the importance of a good relationship with your agency colleagues, and reminded everyone that making humorous ads should actually be fun and not too serious a business!
Not counting your own work, what’s your favorite recent ad? Why? Counting my own work, my favorite ad is Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and Noam Murro’s eBay swan song “Toy Boat”. The ad is an artful example of perfect storytelling that connects emotionally. That’s the kind of work I hope to do.
“Overnight Success” Has Been More Than A Decade In The Making For Meghann Fahy and Eve Hewson
Meghann Fahy and Eve Hewson, two of the stars of Netflix's whodunit "The Perfect Couple," have news for you if you want to call them breakouts: They've been working in this business for more than a decade.
Fahy made her TV debut in 2009 in an episode of "Gossip Girl." Hewson's first big film role was in 2011's "This Must Be the Place." They do concede, however, that it's recent TV roles โ "The White Lotus" for Fahy and "Bad Sisters" for Hewson โ that have led to new frontiers of opportunity.
Susanne Bier, who directed "The Perfect Couple," says both Fahy and Hewson are "going to be big stars."
"They certainly have proper, profound star quality, Both of them in very different ways," Bier says. "Both are incredibly creative, incredibly smart, and also have a impressive insight as to who they are. You can be a great actor or actress and not necessarily really know who you are yourself. And they do."
Hewson, 33, whose dad is U2 front man Bono, may have grown up in a famous family but she's now in demand in her own right. She will next be seen in a second season of "Bad Sisters, " out in November. She's in Noah Baumbach's next film, alongside Adam Sandler, George Clooney and Riley Keough. She's also been cast in Steven Spielberg's next production and is set to star opposite Murray Bartlett in a racing series for Hulu.
Fahy, 34, is in production on a limited series with Julianne Moore and Milly Alcock called "Sirens," written by Molly Smith Metzler ("Maid") for Netflix. She also has two films in the can with Josh O'Connor ("The Crown," "Challengers") and Brandon Sklenar ("It Ends With Us").
The two actors spoke candidly about this phase of their careers. This interview has been condensed for clarity and... Read More