The Insight
Percipient thought-pieces and opinions from some
of
the world’s most respected industry leaders.
)
Advertising is famously a long-hours culture, where the work is king. But behind the work, the creativity, inspiration, innovation and improvisation necessary to achieve best-in-class results depends on the impish, unruly spirit of play.
The shots Podcast: Best Cannes Lions Grand Prix... ever
The latest podcast face-off sees Co-Editors Danny Edwards and Jamie Madge attempt to distil 70+ years of roaring success into a sprightly top five.
The future is here, and it's human
Talk of AI and its impact on the industry often centres around filmmakers but, asks director Andrew Lang, what about audiences? If, now, "the cost of producing empty spectacle is zero", does that spectacle itself become worthless? Lang believes that filmmakers must look at what AI can do, then do the opposite.
Real-time filmmaking is coming… most won’t survive it
Artificial intelligence is here, and it will fundamentally alter filmmaking. But, says The Moon Unit, AI's democratisation of the industry is a fallacy, because as the jigsaw of real-time filmmaking edges closer to completion, it will be the select few with access to the knowledge, rather than the masses with access to the tech, who will come out on top.
Why Gen Z’s offline habits are starting to shape spending
While younger generations aren't exactly ditching their smartphones completely, they are embracing a more tactile and disconnected approach to some areas of life. Emma Thompson, Head of Agency at Golley Slater, look at why.
Two stops over: Craft, silence and the leadership no curriculum teaches
Manuel Nogueira, photographer, filmmaker and Chief Executive Officer of Matter + Energy, has shot for publications including Vogue, Elle and Nowness. As the company's CEO, he believes craft has taught him much more about leadership than any business school ever could.
How the search for new talent has changed over three decades
As the deadline for 2026's shots-supported Young Director Award approaches this week, we speak to some of the event's main sponsors, each of whom sits at the head of a successful production company, about why the search for new talent has changed, but how the goal has remained the same.
Why luxury is winning by leading with craft, escapism and play
Jelly's Hazel O'Brien fills us in on how luxury brands are using playful craft and whimsical animations to keep the space fun for creatives and audience alike.
From ollie to dolly: Why skateboarders flip to directing
There’s no single route into filmmaking, but since the late 90s one path has remained constant in the ad industry – creative talent trading skateboards for clapperboards. Jonathan Grant explores why so many concrete surfers go on to make their mark behind the camera.