Toby Meakins joins The Visionaries

The Master of Suspense, 2018 Cannes Lion Winner Toby Meakins has joined our evergrowing roster of unique directors.

With his unique flair, Toby merges together the world of commercials and horror which keeps us on the edge of our seats everytime we watch his work.  

His latest short ‘Floor 9.5’ starring Georgina Campbell was produced by Fox Studios for BBDO/MARS and brings to life his insane talent as a horror director. It was subsequently awarded a 2018 Cannes Lion and a Best of the Best at the Brand Film Festival, as well as being cited as the most innovative and effective campaign of recent years by AdWeek

Meakin’s distinctive style has landed him jobs with brands such as British Airways, Rolls Royce, HSBC and Mars, where he has worked with a number of talented celebrities including Derren Brown, Rachel Riley, and of course, BAFTA award-winning Georgina Campbell.

Outside of his commercial work, Toby is currently writing a feature, ‘Breathe’, which is in development with John Schoenfelder at Addictive Pictures and is attached to the feature ‘7 Keys’ by Addictive/Stigma films. Alongside this, he is in the process of developing ‘Ghoster’ a fantasy/Horror 360 universe based on the Graphic Novel and CURS>R a high concept horror franchise with Anton Corp.

With his unique vision and growing popularity, we could not be more thrilled for him to join us at The Visionaries.

Tim James Brown directs spots for The Range and Bazuka

One of our freelance directors, Tim James Brown has kept busy during this festive season coming off back to back shoots for The Range and Bazuka.

Tim’s comedic flare shines through in The Range’s Christmas ad and his 30 second Bigfoot spot for Bazuka, both highlighting his light-hearted and witty style.

Brown has also worked on a variety of other commercials around the world for brands such as HP, Kellogs and Samsung.

We look forward to seeing what is in store for Browns in the near future.

Gundeep directs the Wembley Cup fof EE

Fresh off of his hugely successful street football competition ‘The Last Stand’ Gundeep Anand is back directing another Football related series, The Wembley Cup.

The EE Wembley Cup 2018 is a seven-part football series building up to one massive live final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 25th November. EE has teamed up with Next Level to rip up the football rulebook. They’re hosting a tournament with four of YouTube’s most talked about teams going head-to-head for the coveted title.

This new YouTube series for EE further cements Gundeep’s immense passion for football and British culture. However, this isn't your average tournament. EE have flipped the rules, having only 30-minute matches and a ejection rule, meaning a player is removed at random every minute of extra time.

The teams that are competing are F2 FC, Rebel FC, XO FC and Hashtag Utd

Gundeep never fails to produce raw and realistic content that everyone can identify with. Always making his work one of a kind, he has wowed us once again with the Wembley Cup. and we can’t wait for the episodes to follow!

Make sure to take a look at the trailer and first few episodes on their channel by clicking here.

ANDY PEARSON JOINS THE VISIONARIES

A visionary pioneer in his domain, Andy Pearson's ability to entice viewer sensibilities by capturing the delicate and natural performances of babies and children is applauded by viewers and critics alike. Having collaborated with clients such as  Dove, Huggies, Pampers and Danone, both in London and internationally, Andy's work and skills have established him as a leading director in this genre.

A father of two children, Andy's love of capturing joyful childhood moments has catapulted his success in directing babies and children of all ages. Andy's ability to weave and capture magic moments on film that showcase a raw, delicate, observational quality to human nature has lead to him winning two EFFIE awards and five Promax BDA awards. 

In addition to his contributions in commercial work, Andy's short film "Souvenirs" recently won him Best Film at the London Independent film festival, a Silver Rabbit at Sao Paulo and was officially selected for many prestigious festivals worldwide.

Phil Sansom joins the The Visionaries roster

Philip Sansom is an award winning film Director, Producer, Managing Director & Photographer based in London. 

His beautifully crafted storytelling and keen editorial eye from his photography background is emitted in his work for commercials. Creative agencies and brands around the world have taken notice of Phil’s skills, which has seen him work for brands such as Mini Cooper, Honda, 02 and agencies such as Dazed, Adam & Eve DDB & FCB Inferno. He has a background as an art director, editor and photographer which brings a wealth of expertise to his cinematic innovative work.

in 2012, Phil established his own content production company PHIX. It quickly built up an impressive client list of brands and agencies within the advertising and luxury markets, winning commercial & TV commissions from agencies across London. 

Phil is also a photographer. Click here to view his work

Phil has recently finished a documentary for SKY Arts with Blondie drummer Clem Burke screening in Sept 2018 and is currently finishing a 3 year film project for The Macallan. His first feature film UNARMED is in development with Northern Ireland Screen, and he is developing a slate of film & TV projects whilst continuing to shoot high-end content & commercial work in both film and photography.

Borderland team up with Droga5 to back the Flip Flopi expedition in Kenya

Just over a year after Kenya launched the world’s most drastic plastic bags ban, Droga5 and Borderland are supporting a Kenyan environmental charity’s ground-breaking attempt to build and sail a boat made from re-used plastic along the south-east coast of Africa. 

The Flip Flopi expedition is a Kenyan environmental charity project whose aim is to build and sail a boat made from re-used plastic waste.

To highlight the benefits and potential of re-using plastic, the charity is turning 60 tonnes of plastic waste into a 20-metre dhow that will be able to sail 5,000 km from Lamu in Kenya to Cape Town in South Africa to highlight marine plastic pollution. 

Borderland went out to Kenya to capture the amazing and unexpected reaction from innovators all over Kenya. One group of local fisherman in Lamu are building a giant sailing ship entirely from plastic waste. They embody the spirit of how Kenya is leading the way in the area of plastic waste.

 Simon + Ben, Directors of the film commented:

 “When we arrived in Kenya it was hard to ignore the scale of the issue blighting their rivers, towns and beaches. It was disturbingly familiar, these scenes have been all over the news this year and images of vast islands of plastic in the Atlantic have left everyone feeling powerless.

For this project we wanted to find people who were doing something positive and creative with plastic waste, unique stories which could show us that there is another way of looking at this.”

 Ben Morison, Founder of the Flipflopi Project, commented:

 “The Flipflopi Project has always been about encouraging change in a positive way, making people smile first and then sharing the very simple message that single-use plastics really don’t make sense.  To create the Flipflopi boat we used only local available resources and low-tech solutions, enabling our techniques and ideas to be copied without any barriers.  So we hope people around the globe are inspired by our beautiful multicoloured boat and find their own ways to repurpose ‘already-used’ plastics.”

One year on, the authorities are claiming victory and other East African nations including Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and South Sudan, are considering following suit. You can watch the documentary on their channel below.

Tom Brown joins The Visionaries

The Visionaries have just expanded their extraordinary roster - please welcome, the imaginative and multi-talented, Tom Brown!

With a wealth of experience in post-production and live action, Brown’s skill set spans a diverse and wide range.

Brown has done everything from technical composition to motion graphics, to designing and illustrating for campaigns. He’s done spots for Channel 4 and 5, as well as BBC.

In the last few years, Brown has dived into the realm of writing and directing, working with brands such as Curry’s, Gumtree, and Captain Morgan.

Regardless of what role he plays, Brown always brings his off-kilter humour, bright and bold visual style, and playful animations to his work, creating an almost Edgar-Wright-like vibe to a lot of his work.  

Recently, Brown has just created 4 new spots for NatWest. The hilarious, bold, and quirky ads star an Anchorman-esque mascot titled The Dean of Downtime, who aims to give students more fulfilling experiences. Brown has added his own personal goofy and colourful charm onto these ads, making them all the more memorable and spectacular.

We can’t wait to see what other one-of-a-kind innovative work Brown will create in the future.

Paul Casey joins The Visionaries

It’s been a busy and exciting time at the Visionaries, as we have expanded our roster with our third newest director: the bright, bold, and energetic Paul Casey!

Casey, an experienced director who specialises in food & drink and comedy commercials, began his career in the television industry, directing for major broadcasters and for Jamie Oliver for 5 years. He’s since moved on into the realm of TVC’s and branded content, working with brands such as McDonald’s, Ribena, Orangina, and many more.

Regardless of the brand, Casey always injects humour, unique camera moves, and carefully considered composition to create works that are distinctive, engaging, and entertaining.

We’re so excited to have Casey join the team, and cannot wait to see what other one-of-a-kind work he’ll make in the future!

The Visionaries Welcome Kuro!

The Visionaries continue to expand their impressive roster with the addition of the enigmatic and innovative director, Kuro!

Kuro, an award-winning filmmaker whose work always intrigues and inspires, had his humble beginnings in Tokyo, exploring “the darkest corners of the world,” and has since spread his wings worldwide.

A self-proclaimed director by day, screenwriter by night, Kuro has worked on everything from commercials to music videos to his own short films; he’s even developed a specialty in car spots. He’s worked with brands such as Fiat 500, Ford Kuga, and BMW, as well as creating a number of short films. His most recent film, Fallen, Upon release, it received critical acclaim, and was awarded at numerous film festivals. Always innovating and creating, Kuro continues to grow as a filmmaker and create enchanting works.

We are so excited to have Kuro join us, and cannot wait to see what kind of incredible, mesmerizing, and thought-provoking work he’ll make in the future

It's raining cats and dogs (and kids) in Philip Clyde-Smith's latest spot

Philip Clyde-Smith’s short and sweet new ad reminds us all why pets truly make the bestest of friends.

Clyde-Smith, shot the spot for John Lewis’ Pet Insurance. The ad centres on all the little things our pets do that, while being a brief disturbance, are what make them oh-so lovable.

The spot proves Clyde-Smith’s knack for getting convincing and natural performances with both kids and animals. Using real animals for the ad, Clyde-Smith captures a poised yet playful performance out of the pets, adding a sense of relatability and emotional connection.

Through a series of stunning close-ups and quiet moments shared between the animals and actors, Clyde-Smith’s spot captures and embodies the brand’s slogan that they are “there for your pets, like your pets are there for you.”

Concise and charming, the new spot showcases Clyde-Smith’s skills, and we are looking forward to his future work.

Johnny had a lot of Lamb in his latest ad

Innovative director Johnny Han has epitomised the miserable and exhausting experience of the airport we all feel by using sheep.

Han’s latest ad for flight app, Jetsmarter, titled “Sheeple Hero,” took the brand’s initiative to “#FlyHumanely” quite literally. Han uses the metaphor of “herding sheep” in a unique spot-on manner, as he compares all the waits and lines at the airport to feel like a sheep in a herd

The hilarious and original spot showcases just a few of Han’s many skills. Mixed with stunning fast cuts of both the scenery and close-ups, smooth editing, and a knack for a clear and concise narrative, Han nails the line between eccentric and relatable.

Interestingly enough, despite being critically acclaimed and praised for his VFX skills, Han chose to forgo VFX and used real sheep in the ad! Han got a surprisingly focused and in-line performance out of those sheep – quite the feat for any director.

With Jetsmarter, Han continues to push the boundaries, showing the public all the skills and talents that he holds – we can’t wait to see what other tricks (and animals) Han has up his sleeve.

Serena Corvaglia joins The Visionaries!

Click the thumbnail to view Serena's work

The Visionaries wants to introduce you to the latest addition to their impressive roster: the highly innovative and creative, Serena Corvaglia! 

Hailing from Milan, but having worked around the globe in places like Berlin and New York, Corvaglia’s adds a worldly touch to all her works, resulting in pieces that are “bursting with artistic flavour and energy.” 

Corvaglia has worked in a diverse range of fields, directing anything from commercials to music videos to fashion. She’s worked for brand names such as Fendi, Benetton, and KIA, but Corvaglia always ensures to add a mix of her “Italian artistic soul and vivid curiosity” to all that she does. 

Corvaglia’s love of storytelling has now led her into the realm of filmmaking. Mentored by Oscar-nominated director, Lina Wertmuller, Corvaglia has now created two documentaries, including one produced by Samsung titled “Women Run the Show,” a “docu-film against violence on women.” 

“I’m excited about joining the talented roster repped by The Visionaries, I can’t wait to add the touch of female Italian style”

Currently, Corvaglia is working on her first feature film, as well as continuing to direct content regularly.

Needless to say, with her unique vision and knack for storytelling, we’re excited to see what else Corvaglia has in store for the future. 

Johnny Han writes, directs and produces Crypt TV's 'Terra'

Creative visionary Johnny Han has added another masterpiece to his impressive and diverse repertoire.

Han, a multi-Emmy award-winning director and creator, has recently created a short horror film commissioned by Crypt TV, a well-renowned entertainment company backed by Jason Blum known for “distributing horror themed digital content.”

Han wrote, produced, and directed the short film “Terra,” about a Mother Nature incarnate that possesses the elements and takes revenge on those who have wronged the earth. Released only a little over a month ago, the video has racked up over a million views in its first week in its Facebook release, and now has over 800,000 views on YouTube.

“Terra” is just the latest addition to Han’s ever-growing list of works. Han first made a splash in the industry through his VFX work, lending his unique touch to blockbusters such as 2012, Star Trek: Into Darkness, and Pacific Rim. He’s also won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on the TV show, Heroes, as well as a Daytime Emmy last year for his work in, Lost in Oz.

In the past few years, however, Han has started to cross over into live-action directing, primarily working on commercials and the occasional music video. A few notable works include spots for Jaguar, McDonald’s, and the Ghost in the Shell game. Recently, Han shot an ad for Philips Shavers X Star Wars limited collection.

Regarding his shift into directing, Han says that while he will always love VFX work, directing has given him “a more expansive creative playing field to truly dream up stories that go beyond pixels on the screen.” To Han, all the higher stakes are “hands down worth it” when considering his “opportunity to affect people.”

Han states that commercials were perfect to dive into live-action directing since it involves the “same production professionalism” as VFX, involving the ability “to objectively understand [the] client’s intentions… [while] at the same time injecting just enough of [his] own personal creative fervour into the process.” Describing this skill as “the most valuable thing [he] learned in 18 years of VFX,” Han appears to be applying it perfectly to his current works.

A quadruple-threat, Han’s just beginning to show us all the tricks he has up his sleeve.

Gundeep's 'The Last Stand' takes on The World Cup

With the World Cup going on right now, football is on everyone’s minds – including ours. So, it’s only fitting to see our very own Gundeep Anand be featured in Adidas London's latest World Cup campaign, which revolves around the usage of creativity to answer challenges in people’s cities. 

The Last Stand, London’s largest street football tournament created by Gundeep himself, was featured in a series of clips in which Gundeep directed. In Gundeep’s own words, The Last Stand aims to use “sport to unite people and break down barriers,” an ideal message for the campaign. 

Gundeep has chosen to focus the films on four different players, allowing them to share their story in a concise, punchy, and bold way. Using his unique style that “blends… intimacy, humanity, and humour” to showcase just how football has changed these people’s lives, Gundeep proves that he has and will continue to create exceptional work.

23lunes directors Jordi&Bor join The Visionaries

Hold the phone, we now represent not one, but two Directors! 

The Visionaries roster continues to evolve, with the addition of 3 other new directors (Jamie Lane, Hardey Speight and Chris Ullens) we can’t contain our excitement about adding Jordi Garcia and Bor Arroyo (Jordi&Bor) to our talented roster.

Known for their studio 23lunes (formerly known as post23), the creative due based in Barcelona, specialise in animation spots, movies and video game cinematics. They have won numerous awards and international acclaim from their two amazing animated commercials for Audi. 

Those two films have won 23 awards at the El Sol Advertising Festival, one bronze at the WARC Awards and a bronze at Cannes Lions, just to name a few. The iconic duo have now collated more than 60 awards, making them the most awarded animation directors in Spain.

They are now looking to make a huge impression in London, when speaking to co-founder Jordi García, he said: “I cannot wait to start working in the UK hand in hand with The Visionaries, we are excited to see what we can bring to the table in this country!” 

Check out their incredible showreel here.