On May 25, SHOOT unveiled its fourth annual New Directors Showcase reel. The 25 helmers–including three two-person teams–selected for the Showcase come from diverse backgrounds. However, the bond they share is great style, vision and commitment–whether it be reflected in comedy, visuals or storytelling. Helping fashion the Showcase lineup were entries from SHOOT‘s ongoing “The Best Work You May Never See” gallery, assorted submissions, and feedback from agency creatives and producers. Here’s a look at this year’s field:
Shyam Madiraju
V3 at Anonymous Content
L.A. Film Festival’s “Checkout”
L.A. Film Festival’s “Nocturnal”
How did you get into directing?My whole career has been a series of fortunate accidents. I always wanted to be an architect, but when I missed the deadline for the college admission, they recommended I go to the neighboring art school instead. While studying graphic design there I took photography classes and became profoundly influenced by the medium. Photography soon led me to film and I started dabbling in documentaries while at school. But fate had other plans, I graduated and soon found myself traveling all over the globe working as an art director for some of the most reputed ad agencies in the world. In 2001, 14 years, several advertising jobs and two kids later I finally decided it was time to get back to what I had fallen in love with while at the Art School.
Why do you want to direct commercials?
One of the best things about being an art director and a creative director was getting the chance to watch some of the most prolific commercial directors at work. Their sense of achievement was inspiring and infectious. So the challenge of becoming as good a director or perhaps even better, is not merely an ambition but maybe even an obsession. Besides, the skill, discipline and vision required to tell a good story within 30 seconds is about as good a learning experience as there can be for any new director.
What are your most recent spot projects?
Most recently I finished a viral film project for Arnold Boston. An online campaign, that launched the 120 features of the new VW Passat. Due to its popularity, one of the films was turned into a national TV spot. Presently, I’m working on a package of commercials for the Fox Sports Channel set to release in July. A spot for Big Dog motorcycles for Team One is also on the calendar.
Do you have plans to work in other areas — e.g. shorts, films, features or TV?
2001 changed the lives of many people, mine included. During the long months of unemployment and solitude I found myself writing. The result, BROKEN, the labor of love is my debut feature. Inspired by true events, it is the story of two sisters who come from India to work off their family debt, only to discover that they have been sold as sex slaves. The film is in pre-production with 50%t of the budget raised. The film has attracted some very talented people from the Independent Film community. Rosemary Marks (Thirteen, Going Shopping) is producing the film. Academy Award-winning Doug Mankoff (Tsotsi, Thirteen Conversations About One Thing, Water, The City) is the executive advisor for the film. The film is slated to shoot in India and the USA at the end of 2006.
What do you think is the best part about being a director?
The trust and expectation everyone places in your vision and talent.
What’s the worst part?
The trust and expectation everyone places in your vision and talent. The fear of failure is terrifying.
