In transition: how brands can adapt to a changing gender landscape
Despite increasing queer visibility in advertising, transgender and non-binary representation remains a minefield for brands – with the Bud Light backlash a stark reminder of the risks of getting it wrong. Selena Schleh speaks to members and allies of the trans+ community about proper pronouns and performative versus true brand allyship.
The Way I See It: Siri Bunford
From the 60-second Steadicam shot on the set of The Shining which started it all, to a Super Bowl spot for Google, Knucklehead director Siri Bunford has helmed some of the most iconic ads of the past 15 years and blazed a trail for female directors in the commercials world. Whether it’s #FoodDancing or pigeon fancying, the secret to Bunford’s success is simple: finding the humanity at the heart of every story – and a ‘just keep going’ mentality.
Adjani Salmon's comedy of terrors
From editing reality TV shows to making and starring in hit BBC sitcom, Dreaming Whilst Black, Adjani Salmon’s star is on the rise. As he plots his next move into commercials, he tells Selena Schleh how ‘telling jokes about terrible things’ is in his DNA – and why brands need to take risks on new voices.
Guy Shelmerdine’s lasting laughs
From toilet humour to technical wizardry, SMUGGLER director Guy Shelmerdine’s versatile style and commitment to craft has produced some of the most laugh-out-loud spots of the past 20 years. He tells Selena Schleh about coaxing comic moments from celebrities and why his brand of humour is always evolving.
The Lion’s share
This year's Cannes will see Bruno Bertelli – Global CEO of Le Pub, Global CCO of Publicis Worldwide, and CCO of Publicis Groupe Italy – adding another appellation to his collection, that of Jury President of the Film Lions category. Selena Schleh caught up with the gong-laden legend to discuss the proliferation of film, the central role of the category at Cannes and the impact of AI.
Dream's World
Exploring the intersection of fashion, editorial, branded content and music, Tom Dream’s whimsical, retro aesthetic is in high demand from brands looking for an alternative to off-the-peg fashion films. Selena Schleh meets the director in his hometown, the hip seaside resort of Margate, Kent.
Composite professional
Filmmaker, illustrator, former model, philosophy graduate, mother of three – there are as many layers to Cadence Films director Quentin Jones as there are to her creative animated collages – which have enraptured luxury fashion brands from Chanel to Jimmy Choo.
Designed to be drunk
From the luscious curves of Coca-Cola’s iconic contour bottle to the cult of craft beer art, beverage brands take their exterior product design as seriously as the liquid assets inside - infusing it with identity and distilling every drop of shelf appeal. Selena Schleh raises a glass to the power of packaging.
Gregory Ohrel: Provocateur with purpose
Kicking off January's Music Video Focus, Selena Schleh speaks to Gregory Ohrel, whose brutal, incendiary and stimulative promo for Puerto Rican rapper Residente’s protest track, This Is Not America, provoked deeper thought on the nature of nationalism.
Naturalism with an edge: the expert eye of Rodrigo Prieto
With a 25-year career lensing films for the likes of Martin Scorsese, Alejandro González Iñárritu and Ang Lee, Mexican DP Rodrigo Prieto is turning his attention towards direction, with an upcoming Netflix adaptation in the works. Here, he talks to Selena Schleh about his past projects in both roles, building on his reputation for being the master of emotional naturalism.
From surviving to thriving – Stink Films reviews its Covid journey
Continuing our diagnosis of how the pandemic impacted the industry, Stink Films Founder and President Daniel Bergmann and his Los Angeles team tell Selena Schleh how Covid adaptations built on existing remote production skills and, in some aspects, have ushered in lasting benefits.
Poetry in motion
Fuelled by an immense imagination, multi-faceted creative Caleb Femi unites words and visuals to magical effect, effortlessly moving from page to screen and back again with a body of work that spans poetry, short films, commercials, TV and even a live catwalk show. Whatever the field, he tells Selena Schleh, the story remains his north star.
