the Talent
From Junior Creatives to ECDs, delve into career highlights (and lowlights) in our in-depth profiles.
Tony Cullingham: The Way I See It
Describing himself on LinkedIn as 'half candle, half mushroom, half geranium', Tony Cullingham is so much more than the sum of three halves. Having run the Watford Advertising Course for more than 30 years, he is now leading BBH’s refreshed creative placement scheme, The Barn. He tells Carol Cooper how it all started with gnomic notes to the milkman.
Weird Seance summons... Trevor Beattie
In the first of a new series of interviews Amy Kean celebrates the wonderful world of weird, talking to 'iconic oddballs' about their strange brains and why oddness should be elevated.
How Pam Savage and Sick Beats hit the right note
Tim Cumming talks to Pam Savage at Area 23 about the double Grand Prix-winning Sick Beats campaign, and those points where science, technology and creativity can meet to change the world.
The people who make the spots you love, covering all aspects of production, post and sound.
YDA winner Vincent Gibaud on his animated award winner
In the last of our focusses on 2021's YDA winners, Vincent Gibaud discusses his Gold Screen win in the Animation category for his haunting short, Two Nightmares in My Story, for Face à l’Inceste.
How David Dearlove made the YDA laugh
David Dearlove is a creative and an award-winning director who won a Gold Screen in Best Use of Humour at this year's Young Director Award for his brilliant parody of short film tropes. Here, he talks about why he made his film and why a farmer's field isn't as cheap to use as you might think.
YDA-winner Kelsey Larkin on creating a dancing virus
Winner of the YDA's additional contest, Born To Create Drama, Larkin explains her Covid-themed film.
The Way I See It: Phil Lee
Now creative director at BAFTA and Emmy-nominated creative community, Untold Studios, Phil was previously video commissioner at XL Recordings, where he spent 21 years helping to create award-winning visuals for stars including Adele, Radiohead, M.I.A and FKA Twigs. Here he shares his thoughts on litter, long service and living in the moment.
YDA-winner Christian Schilling on visualising the power of friendship
Christian Schilling's spec spot for Duracell picked up a gold trophy at the YDA 2021. Here he discusses how his mother's music box, a dip in a white-water river and – possibly – Forrest Gump all contributed to the making of his epic film.
How Svend Colding's film charmed the YDA to win gold
Svend Colding picked up a Gold Screen in the Film School (6 minutes and over) category for It's So Charming at this year's Young Director Award. Here, he talks about his desire to direct, figuring out his story and wanting to 'smash the patriarchy'.
YDA-winner Kevin Wilson Jr. unpacks his winning work
Chelsea director Kevin Wilson Jr. picked up a Gold Screen in the Changing the World Frame by Frame category for his film Unboxing, and Gold Screen in the Commercial category for his film Widen the Screen at this year's YDA. Here, he discusses YouTube unboxing channels, authenticity and vulnerability, and using filmmaking to talk about bigger issues.
Vincent René-Lortie on his YDA win and what the future holds
Director Vincent René-Lortie picked up at Gold trophy at this year's Young Director Award for his quietly mesmeric short Sit Still, starring a seven-year-old krump dancer. Here he talks to Joel Meadows about the making of the film and his plans for the future.
Lena Beug; levelling up
Director Lena Beug talks to Richard Linnett about levelling the advertising playing field, the inspiration she gets from the city of New York and about her own career goals and ambitions.
Celebrating shots' 30th anniversary, industry luminaries pair up with up-and-comers in the field to talk shop and interview each other.
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.
Zornitsa Dimitrova's YDA winning streak
With three YDA golds, in Film School (6 mins and over), Charity and Short Film, plus a Special Jury Prize, Zornitsa Dimitrova's A Dark Moment of Faith took this year's competition by storm. Here she explains the genesis of the project and her plans for the future.
shots Unsigned: Ragini Bhasin
For this months interview with unsigned directing talent, we talk with Ragini Bhasin about her short film Ghazaal, the origins of the story, script improvisation and building a refugee camp.
YDA-winner Oliver Bernotat on capturing The Catch
Winner of the YDA's additional contest, Born To Create Drama, director Oliver Bernotat discusses delving into the fertile forest that is a child's imagination.
Sinan Sevinç's YDA gold rush
After a successful year in which he picked up three gold Screen Awards, plus an additional silver, at this year's Young Director Award, Sinan Sevinç discusses how his two brilliant - if very different - entries came about, his move from journalism to filmmaking, and how someone mistaking powdered sugar for real cocaine threw a spanner in the works.
YDA-winner Will Dohrn conveys handfuls of emotion
Ground Work director Will Dohrn won a Gold Screen for his music video for the Idles' track War at this year's YDA. Here, he discusses how hands can express emotions in a way that faces can't...
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Mohammad Gorjestani; evening up the odds
Working out of his own Even/Odd creative studio and production company, Iranian-American director Mohammad Gorjestani uses politics as a fuel for his work and vision, but, Tim Cumming finds out, he doubts if all the present talk of diversity across the industry runs more than skin deep.
YDA-winner Georgy Tarasov talks us through Yamakasi
FMT.Jetlag director Georgy Tarasov picked up a Gold Screen in the Music Video category for his film Yamakasi, at this year's YDA. Here, he discusses accidental miracles, planning shoots and the inspiration of the YDA.
shots Unsigned: Max Kane
For this months interview with unsigned directing talent, we talk with Max Kane about his short road-trip film Duck, the difficulties of shooting into a windshield and his early movie watching experiences with family.
YDA-winner Olivia Hang Zhou discusses Apart, Together
Director Olivia Hang Zhou picked up a Gold Screen in the Film School (up to 6 mins) category for her short film, Apart, Together at this year's YDA. Here, she discusses her deeply personal story, her filmmaking origins and her future aspirations.
The Way I See It: Jess Coulter
From wannabe child actress to professional burlesque dancer, the career path of comedy director (and one-time Britney Spears lookalike) Jess Coulter has taken some hairpin bends. Having begun directing while a CD at BBDO New York, she’s found her spiritual home at O Positive, bringing a humorous touch to spots for IKEA, the Red Cross and Snickers. She tells Selena Schleh about healthy feminist rage and why she’s laughing in the face of her own mortality.
YDA-winner Marleen Valien delivers with Made For Hoomans
Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg director Marleen Valien picked up a Gold Screen in the Film School (up to 6 mins) and Animation category for her short film, Made For Hoomans at this year's YDA. Here, she discusses the inspiration behind the film, the complexity of stop-motion animation and an advertising future perhaps?
YDA-winner Luca Homolka takes us to Cold Blow Lane
Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg director Luca Homolka picked up a Gold Screen in the Film School (up to 6 mins) category for his short film, Cold Blow Lane at this year's YDA. Here, he discusses his football background, casual culture and the start of his filmmaking journey.
shots Unsigned: Videodrome
In the latest of our monthly interviews with unsigned directing talent, we talk with Videodrome about their music video for Muller & Roedelius, high-school-film-school and how they came together as a duo.