the Talent
From Junior Creatives to ECDs, delve into career highlights (and lowlights) in our in-depth profiles.
Al MacCuish’s culture club
Al MacCuish, Co-Founder of Sunshine, believes that leveraging culture – by achieving the tricky triumvirate of being interesting, entertaining and rewarding – is the way to conjure creative interest, which is why the brands his company work with, including Diesel, Balmain and Victoria’s Secret, have done just that.
Young agency producers: hopes and dreams of the next generation
Biscuit Filmworks and Electric Theatre Collective proudly hosted their tenth annual Young Producers Dinner at East London's Bistroteque last night [1 Feb]. shots joined in the revelry and chatted with guests to discuss their experiences of entering the industry and the potential challenges that lie ahead.
The Way I See It: Sharon White
Sharon White, current Chair of John Lewis Partnership, is the first ever female to hold this position. Previously she’s held such notable roles as Chief Executive of British media regulator Ofcom and was the first Black person – and the second woman – to hold the title of Second Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury. In 2020 she received a Damehood in the New Year Honours List. She talked to shots about her pride in the John Lewis Partnership, car-crash weeks as a working mum and inspiration drawn from Michelle Obama.
The people who make the spots you love, covering all aspects of production, post and sound.
shots Unsigned: Chris Tenzis
For shots Unsigned this month we speak with director, editor, and actor Chris Tenzis about his micro short Big Touch. He also talks hanging out at The Scala, film school tales, and mentions a Withnail & I cookbook...
Finch: Learning to fly
With 2024's shots Awards APAC now open for entries, founder and CEO of Finch, Rob Galluzzo, talks Tim Cumming through his rise from dispatch boy to heading up shots’ Production Company of the Year in 2023, and asks some hard questions of the industry in the face of some radical changes.
Andrew Holmes: Life is suite
Continuing our look at shots Awards APAC, now open for entries, we speak to last year's Editor of the Year about the pleasures, pitfalls and latent powers to be found in the editing suite - at the heart of every film project.
B. Monét's mandate to be seen
With a plethora of awards and industry experience under her belt, director B. Monét's work explores diverse themes, underpinned by a dedication to uplifting marginalised voices. She discusses her career journey and inspirations, from participating in Queen Latifah's Queen Collective program to creating authentic content for brands from Disney to Cadillac.
Jamie Jones' road to reality
Odelay Films director Jamie Jones's varied career has taken in poetic shorts, ads and reality TV, along with BAFTA-winning long-form drama and documentaries. Here, he chats to Carol Cooper about finding lightness in dark tales of toxic masculinity, how sound can lead into the heart of character and his restless quest to portray the truth of the matter.
shots Unsigned: Matthieu Livingston
For our next unsigned directing talent interview we speak with director Matthieu Livingston. Here we talk about his charming short documentary Wet Paint, getting annoyed with bystanders, and finding the film in the edit.
The Way I See It: Henry-Alex Rubin
From early gonzo hits like Whopper Freakout to politically charged work for Sandy Hook Promise, SMUGGLER director Henry-Alex Rubin has parlayed his documentarian’s eye into authentic spots that don’t just win gongs (Emmys, Oscar nominations and more) but seek to bring about real change. He tells Selena Schleh about why he makes ads for people who hate ads.
Christina Xing: from Gen Z to GenXing
Much like the 16mm film she typically uses, Asian American director Christina Xing’s work is defined by whimsical, nostalgic visuals infused with her distinctive, contemporary edge, and at just 25, her unique ability to tell authentic, youth-centric stories has already caught the attention of brands including Disney, Vaseline, Snapchat and VANS.
Irene Baqué: stories of sisterhood
After spending six years travelling the world as a video journalist for The Guardian, Darling Films director Irene Baqué moved into commercial filmmaking, where she has created socially-impactful, female-focussed films for brands from Pandora to Doc Martens. Weaving threads of womanhood, alchemy and community into a rich cinematic tapestry, her branded content and personal projects aim to unite women from all walks of life.
Celebrating shots' 30th anniversary, industry luminaries pair up with up-and-comers in the field to talk shop and interview each other.
Creative Correspondence: Emily Marr and Hector Murray
Leo Burnett Chief Production Officer Marr and Young Arrows 2022 Producer of the Year Murray discuss first impressions, endless changes, and the transition from virtual to real-life meetings in our latest Creative Correspondence.
Creative Correspondence: Ringan Ledwidge & Nina Meredith
Ad legend Ledwidge talks to Rattling Stick rising star Meredith about beginnings in journalism, shooting a Christmas icon and underrated Jack Nicholson movies.
Creative Correspondence: Kai-Lu Hsiung & Alice Bloomfield
For our latest Creative Correspondence, industry legend and RSA Films Global MD Kai Hsiung is in conversation with new signing and former BFI Future Film Fest Black Dog Films Award winner Alice Bloomfield about breaking into commercials, the importance of testing the water and how the industry has changed for women.
Creative Correspondence: Sam Sneade & Ellie Johnson
Editing legend Sneade chats to the newly promoted partner at tenthree, Johnson, about the progression of their careers, the lack of industry rockstars and how cultivating talent is the most important part of the job.
Creative Correspondence: Kate Stanners & Mia Silverman
Saatchi & Saatchi's Global CCO, Kate Stanners, and up-and-coming Saatchi Art Director, Mia Silverman, discuss their respective careers, how the job has changed (and stayed the same), and why the growing need to deliver at speed can lead to bad work... but doesn't have to.
Creative Correspondence: Joe Guest and Lucy Berry
Final Cut's legendary editor speaks to up-and-coming top talent Berry in the latest of our Creative Correspondence conversations.
Creative Correspondence: Anthony Moore & Dylan Holmes Williams
Kicking off 2021's Creative Correspondence is multi-award winning sound designer, the Founding Partner and ECD of Factory, Anthony Moore, and Stink Rising director, talented short film maker and YDA winner, Dylan Holmes Williams.
Mickey Duzyj and his animated athletes
As part of our Short Film & Documentary Focus, we showcase the sports-obsessed filmmaker and animator Mickey Duzyj, whose work is a perfect marriage of style and substance, humour and heart, delivered through his eye-catching bold illustrations and info-graphics animations.
shots Unsigned: Bruno Persico
For our next unsigned directing talent interview of 2024 we speak with director/animator Bruno Persico. Here we talk about his co-directed micro short AIRE. We also hear about storyboarding and pre-production, how essential a producer can be, and Franco-Belgian comics.
The real Thelma and Louise
Olivia Summers (right) and Dee Bryant (left) are, respectively, Founder and Partner at the Association of Women Drivers (AWD), the first and only all-female stunt and performance driving team. To mark International Women’s Day, they shared with shots how they’ve navigated the various 'stunts' the industry uses to keep females out of the driving seat.
UNCANNY by name…
With their experimental, process-driven approach, director duo George Muncey and Elliott Elder – aka UNCANNY – are pushing the boundaries of traditional practices in film, design and photography to breaking point – and reshaping them into something strange and utterly compelling.
Making the cut: Nomad editors on entering the industry
From DJing to dance school, new talents Serena Rossi and Elyse Raphael's obsessions with editing were inspired by their rhythmical roots. Now repped by NOMAD, they've cut work for big brands from Puma and Adidas to Nike and FIFA respectively. shots caught up with the pair to discuss entering the industry and advice for young creatives.
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Abdi Ibrahim: the full picture
Drawing inspiration from the stories of people around him, the self-taught Somali-American filmmaker/photographer brings human narratives to life through sublime vignettes spanning music videos, commercials, and branded content. From shooting on the streets of Seattle to directing for Apple, he tells us how he carved his own path in the industry.
shots Unsigned: Joshua Armstrong
In our latest chat with unsigned directing talent we hear from Last Dog Films founder and director Joshua Armstrong. Here we talk about his latest short horror film inspired by the internet hoax MOMO. We also hear about his passion behind his projects, DIY VFX endeavours, and 20 years of filmmaking.
Jesse Lewis-Reece's new tricks
From obsessive-compulsive disorder to sight loss and trans identity, former skater boi turned filmmaker Jesse Lewis-Reece explores complex issues and marginalised communities with a maturity that’s rare for a young director. And, as Selena Schleh finds out, adland is starting to take note.
The Way I See It: Tim Bullock
Drawn to horror, and then to humour – anything to get a reaction – Scoundrel's comedy director Tim Bullock started off in the industry as a suit, before a big break with a home-made horror flick turned him on to the creative path. He tells Tim Cumming about what makes great comedy click, and how the Woman Whisperer helped him to break through.
Untold Fable tells a story of diversity
When Kate Tancred started Untold Fable it was with the idea that technology could empower filmmakers outside the usual geographic strongholds, helping broaden the industry's talent base. Here, she talks risk, reward and creating opportunity.
Meet the new romantics
Though they’ve worked in the industry for a decade, as VFX artist and designer respectively, Jay Stephen and Ralph Briscoe only launched themselves as directorial duo The Romantix a year ago. They got off to a good start – winning their first commercial pitch – two of Channel 4’s award-winning 2023 idents. Their inspiration? The night they first met, they tell Tim Cumming.
Fresh eyes, high hopes
Award-winning DP Stuart Harris, has worked on such films as Ken Russell’s The Boyfriend and David Hare’s Wetherby, as well as more than 4000 ads and music videos, including Pink Floyd's High Hopes. Currently co-head of cinematography at the National Film and Television School (NFTS), he also runs the School's D&AD-sponsored course, Directing Commercials. Here he shares top tips for newbie ad directors.
The Way I See It: David Mitchell
Building a three-decade-long career with Tony and Jake Scott, marked by masterpieces like BMW Beat the Devil, Budweiser Lost Dog, and Nike Awake, David Mitchell launched his own creative collective, Wild Gift, in 2021. He tells shots why production is finally heading to a good place – and how punk rock remains his passion.