Nexus Studios, with bases of operation in London, L.A. and Sydney, has signed director Fantasista Utamaro (Uta) for exclusive representation worldwide spanning commercials, branded content and music promos. Nexus will also handle UTA non-exclusively for illustration. The relationship with Nexus marks the first time Uta has been repped commercially worldwide. Prior to joining Nexus’ main talent roster, he was signed to the company’s pop-up roster of Japanese directors, Maison Hanko.
Born in Japan but based in Brooklyn, Uta is part of a new generation of young Japanese creatives challenging the traditional boundaries of art. His distinctive style explores the concepts of celebration, limitlessness and freedom through an explosion of energetic technicolor. He is behind the celebrated and wonderfully trippy “It Girl” for Pharell Williams as well as eye-popping promos for Japanese megastars including Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Hatsune Miku. Uta regularly collaborates with world-renowned artist Takashi Murakami and his passion for experimenting with styles and techniques has seen him develop a vivid and distinguished look which has captured the attention of brands and audiences globally. Uta is an ideal fit for Nexus, an independent film and immersive studio with animation and storytelling at its core.
Recent additions to Uta’s body of work include a retro game-inspired campaign for Uniqlo and a bold and impactful film mixing live-action and dynamic illustration for Tokyo Mode School. He has also created illustrative campaigns for Maybelline, Stella McCartney, BMW, GAP and Netflix to name but a few and his BE@ARBRICK collab figurines are sold out across fashion and lifestyle outlets around the world.
Christopher O’Reilly, Nexus Studios founder and executive creative director, said, “Uta is a rare creative creature; visionary but collaborative; inspired by his heritage but fusing together multicultural strands. His unique ‘ultra pop’ aesthetic brings an energy to everything he touches. We’re excited about what we will make together.”
Eleanor Adds Director Candice Vernon To Its Roster For Spots and Branded Content
Director Candice Vernon has joined production house Eleanor for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. She has already wrapped several jobs at Eleanor, which waited to announce her until they had a body of work together.
Via Eleanor, Vernon made history as the first Black director on a Febreze commercial. The “Small Spaces” campaign marks a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of the “Revolving Door” commercial is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
Vernon said, “I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new? I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the success of the “Small Spaces” campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Febreze Brand VP Angelica Matthews said, “About two years ago, we realized the consumers that were the most loyal to Febreze were the African American consumers. And the more we learned, the more we realized the richness that we were really missing. So we said we have to go beyond just Black casting, we need to get Black directors that truly understand the culture that truly understand how to bring authentic performances out on screen. We really looked around the industry and noticed there’s actually a shortage of African American directors who have experience doing commercials. When we all saw Candice’s reel, we could all tell the passion for the craft, passion for really trying to help us from where we are to where we’re trying to go.”
Vernon brings a unique lens to... Read More