From Junior Creatives to ECDs, delve into career highlights (and lowlights) in our in-depth profiles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Celebrating shots' 30th anniversary, industry luminaries pair up with up-and-comers in the field to talk shop and interview each other.
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.
Ad legend Ledwidge talks to Rattling Stick rising star Meredith about beginnings in journalism, shooting a Christmas icon and underrated Jack Nicholson movies.
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.
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.
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.
Final Cut's legendary editor speaks to up-and-coming top talent Berry in the latest of our Creative Correspondence conversations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Learn MoreFor our first unsigned directing talent interview of 2024 we speak with director Andy Mihov. Here we talk about his music video for Elena Flury - Burning Questions. We also hear about going on adventures, self-taught filmmaking, and ambitious shot lists.
From singing prosthetic stomachs to AI augmented ravers, Hugh Mulhern’s dazzlingly dynamic – and dizzyingly depraved - mixed-media music videos have established the Riff Raff director as a bold new talent – but, as he tells shots, that’s only a small part of his identity.
For our latest unsigned directing talent interview we speak with Danish director Nikolaj Fremming. Here we talk about his short film Living With Humans for Jotex. We also hear about the importance of a good script, dystopia, and missing the hidden beauty around us all.
From a boy on the set of his dad’s film, Alien, Luke Scott, award-winning director and the CEO of the Ridley Scott Creative Group, has gone on to gain his own valuable perspectives on filmmaking. His two-decade career has encompassed art directing, set building and directing TV (Raised By Wolves), features, ads and viral content for Prometheus and Blade Runner 2049. He shares his views on panopticons, prime ministers and the folly of space travel.
With a shared passion for the painterly and poetic, Jelly animation duo Emily Downe and Kathrin Steinbacher, aka Studio Desk, weave their metaphorical magic into scientific concepts to create 2D films that inform and inspire. shots spoke to the pair about complementary qualities, creative collaboration, and animating for brands from the BBC to Badoo.
From attempting to animate her teddy bear at the tender age of five to breathing life into Stranger Things’ character Eleven, a swarm of bees, and a sardonic inner critic, Christine Peters, 2D animation lead at Blind Pig, has become the go-to for character design. Her tools? TVPaint, Toon Boom – and a wicked sense of humour.
Step into the work of Chinese-American filmmaker Renee Zhan, and find yourself entering an array of whimsical worlds – maybe slithering in the slimy depths of a black hole, or being serenaded by a choir of amorphous creepy crawlies. shots spoke to the multitalented animation director about blobby worms, Björk and being shy.
After growing up "between Jesus and aliens", but also in a creative environment, Anselmo Ramos stepped into advertising, but didn't become an 'ad nerd' until nurturing his love of old annuals. From there he's worked in numerous countries and in various languages, led a successful but creatively moribund agency to glory, started an Ogilvy offshoot and, now, heads his own independent network. From his love of MAD Magazine to his fear of losing loved ones, he tells us the way he sees it.