Clockwork Films Directors

Director Samuel Bennetts spent his childhood in Sydney, Australia. He began his directing career in his teens, directing stage plays. Studying science and psychology at University, he always felt a burning passion for drama, continually directing various productions on screen and stage. After directing his first short film, Samuel made music videos for bands such as Rogue Traders, INXS, Grinspoon, and his childhood friends – Bluejuice. Samuel moved into international commercial filmmaking, directing for brands such as Audi, Toyota, Mazda, VW, Castrol, Ebay, Powerade, and Canon. Today, Sam works on commercials and digital productions. He continues to strive for new and interesting ways to express his creativity working closely with actors, cinematographers, designers, and postproduction artists.

With a reel spanning sport, comedy, stop-motion and drama - I don’t sit neatly in any box. Up for anything, and always keen to tackle the tricky spots - a large cast with a complex camera blocking, animation of delicate origami creations, wrangling high-profile athletes or coaxing a charming performance from a child’s first day on set.

Jesse James McElroy began his directorial career in 2008 when he created the web series Kit Kat C hunga. The series proved a smash-hit, collecting numerous awards including a Gold Effie and an AWARD Award for Digital Content. Since then, McElroy has gone on to direct campaigns for a slew of leading brands including Kelloggs, Volkswagen, MasterCard, Unilever, SBS, Bankwest and Hungry Jacks. His 2014 comedy spot for Combantrin was celebrated with a Cannes Lion and handpicked by Vice Magazine as one of the “Best Commercials” for the year. Always a creative visionary, McElroy enjoyed an array of media coverage when his grassroots social media campaign to encourage Streets Ice-Cream to create a 1.25-litre tub of their beloved Gaytime Ice Cream became an internet sensation. Trending #1 on Twitter and reaching over 3.4 million people, the campaign also took home a prestigious Webby Award for social achievement.

Matt worked in every area of filmmaking there is, and by the age of 21 was production designing and art directing major New Zealand feature films. Matt continued as a production designer on feature films and television commercials for the next 9 years working in nearly every country in the world. At the age of 30, Matt started directing and within one year was nominated as one of the top 10 new directors in the world at the 1995 Cannes new directors show case. Since then Matt has gone on to win awards at many of the major advertising ceremonies including D&AD, Axis, ATV, London International, Cannes, Loewe, and many others. Matt Murphy is a director in the true sense of the word. Having lived with film all his life he has a very deep understanding of the power and the potential of motion picture storytelling. Matt is also highly awarded visual effects director with a vast understanding of post production and all its possibilities, allowing him to always maintain a focus for the ‘big picture’ from script development through casting, locations, filming, editing special effects to the final film.

I’m all about aesthetics and emotion, probably stemming from a childhood in the outback of Australia where the landscape really shaped my fascination of beautiful visual imagery. Photography was something that I loved, and throughout High School experimented with black and white photography which led to a 3 year Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Photography at RMIT in Melbourne. After working in London as an advertising photographer, I returned to Sydney where I began work as TV commercial Director. This has been an incredible adventure, one that I’m still very much enjoying. Balancing creative with challenging budgets is where I thrive. I work all over the world for a variety of products and for all different cultures. Years of very large Post Effects driven campaigns has meant that I’m very comfortable with CGI, so I know how to plan and shoot for it. I also like working with real people and children, capturing genuine and honest performances. I love being involved in the creation of highly visual storytelling, combined with emotive performances in order to create work that is truly memorable.

.Australians love cars and director Jolyon Watkins is no exception. The son of a car dealer, Jolyon grew up with a love of movies and motorsport. After watching the original Mad Max as a child - his die was cast. Twenty years later, on the very same Aussie roads, Jolyon recreated the movie’s iconic car chase sequences; as the director of the UK no1 smash hit music video Puretone ‘Addicted To Bass’. From MTV to BMW, car advertising beckoned. On-road, off-road, from the race track to the studio and CG render-farms there is barely a technique or brand Jolyon hasn’t worked with. More than just his eye for automotive beauty, as a graduate from the pre-eminent Victorian College of the Arts he is equally as comfortable with storytelling and directing actors. It’s this diversity as a director that has seen him work on a long list of international clients including Audi, BMW, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Ford, Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki, Honda, Holden and Jeep. Capping off a busy year Jolyon was selected for the Source Creative + Shots 2018 Automotive Directors Showcase.

James Medlam is a multi-disciplinary Director, he is one to challenge himself with any aspect of filmmaking to bring to life engaging content that he would love to watch. He is constantly pushing boundaries in how stories can be conveyed and how audiences can be left with a strong emotional reaction. James strives to create unique experiences through his cinematic approach, ensuring every frame captured has a story to tell. His skills at the helm of the latest cinema cameras, brings to life his origins of storytelling through still photography. James sorts out what makes stories rich in emotion and uniqueness. His experience provides a strong backbone for commercial work, and his curiosity of people and cultures fuels his passion for longer form narrative and documentary filmmaking.

Sebastien Guy was born and raised around the world, but he started his career in Los Angeles as an actor, whilst studying film at The California State University. After having appeared in countless television commercials, Sebastien moved behind the camera to become a strong visual and performance director. His unique ability to draw out true, honest and real performances is a function of the relaxed environment he creates on set. The defining feature of Sebastien’s work is always a beautiful and cinematic look. His talent in this area is demonstrated by the fact that the majority of Sebastien’s commercials and feature film NERVE have been recognised with Australian Cinematography Awards. Sebastien has directed spots for some of the most recognizable brands in the world including: Canon, Olay, Nokia, Oral B, Tresemme, Rexona, Standard Chartered Bank, Ford, McDonalds, Snickers and Amnesty International.

Every comedian will tell you that the secret to good comedy is timing – which perhaps explains why David Hicks’ work is so funny, considering he began his career as one of Canada’s most renowned commercial editors. But with a keen eye for casting, a subtle touch with performances, and an eye for composition, David has shown that his comedy goes well beyond a perfectly structured edit. David rose to prominence quickly as an editor working on features with legendary directors like Norman Jewison and Peter Bogdanovich. In 1996, David co-founded Panic & Bob Editing. While at Panic & Bob David worked on hundreds of commercials for Canadian and international clients. David left Panic & Bob in 2000 to open School Editing, one of the busiest post production boutique company’s in Canada. In 2004, with the success and knowledge he’d gained as an award-winning editor, David successfully transitioned into a career as a much-lauded commercial director. David’s work has earned many industry accolades including Cannes Lions, Clio’s and Bessie’s. From building a working pickup truck out of solid ice (Canadian Tire), to directing a branded buddy-comedy feature film (Out Here), David relishes the challenges and opportunities that each project presents.’ ‘When not on set, David also relishes the opportunities that his kitchen provides. He’s as talented with a frying pan as he is with a camera.

Born to a French diplomat mother, Henri grew up living in different countries and considers himself a citizen of the world. After graduating from ESRA Nice with a degree in film, he began directing commercials, allowing him to shoot in countries like Indonesia, UK, France, Spain, Russia, Lebanon, the UAE, Bulgaria and many others countries. He loves shooting sport and car commercials but is equally adept at shooting contemporary visual films in varied genres. Finding beauty in each shot is his motto.

Aaron heralds an earnest yet rebellious aesthetic that confidently crosses boundaries between music videos, documentaries, film and commercials. Aaron collaborates under the URL Focus Creeps, creating nostalgic yet iconic visual interpretations of the youthful and carefree moments that define our lives. He has been awarded internationally for his work in music videos and commercials. Some recent recognition of note: best Music Video in 2013 at the NME awards. Selected for Dazed Visionaries groundbreaking film series as well as #dazed100, and in collaboration with Spa Press, he published a book of photos, entitled “A Suicide Note For Life.” Aaron was recently showcased on Pitchfork.tv’s newly launched “Director ID”, a collaboration with Portuguese music and arts television network Canal 180, profiling some of the best directors working in music videos today. Aaron has developed a signature look that effortlessly weaves together images from lo-fi or cinematic, to striking photography and run-and-gun storytelling, to capture a sincere portrait of a generation obsessed with both nostalgia and the future.

A film maker in the truest sense of the word, Goodall brings with him a cutting edge ability, through his extensive film training applied to digital technology. Big budget look and feel is standard fare with this combination in place, even on less than big budgets. Having worked all over the globe, Jeremy has been put through his paces and faced huge film challenges on all fronts, from cost to technical to post. With Jeremy’s impressive client list boasting a long career in above the line commercial film making for the likes of Ford, Toyota, P&G, Unilever, Mitsubishi, CocaCola, Nivea and a host of others, he has gained a reputation for his hard working yet creative mastery in advertising. It is Jeremy’s ability to connect with clients and translate the agency’s message succinctly that gives him the edge. With a few decades of experience under his belt, as well as his endless passion for the craft, he is always the right guy for the job. Whether its action, beauty, lifestyle or automotive, he will find the moment and get it in the proverbial can, bringing it to life with an edit that speaks volumes.

JOHN LEWIS DIRECTOR/ANIMATOR John has a passion for animation, visual effects and puppetry. He regularly steps between handmade in camera techniques and digital solutions. He also likes to stick his fingers into every part of production. John has directed and animated several short stop motion animations including; The Birdhouse (2005, 5mins), The Boy Who Wanted to Touch the Moon (2006, 4mins), and The Designer (2007, 8mins – Winner Best Short FIFE 2007 and Best Concept at the 9th Lucania Film Festival.) He was also an animator on Mary and Max by Oscar winner Adam Elliot. His latest film “The Story of Percival Pilts” has won several awards, including Best Animation at the Oscar qualifying Foyle Film Festival, and has also received an international theatrical release as part of The Animation Show of Shows. John has presented this film and done Q&As at several big studios and companies such as Apple, Disney, DreamWorks, and Pixar (twice)

Laurence Thrush is a seasoned and accomplished director whose cinematic and poetic style stands out and captivates audiences. Being a writer and editor, as well, lends itself perfectly to Laurence’s stunning visual storytelling. Early in his directing career, he was short-listed for the Best Young Director Award at the Clio Advertising Awards and the Cannes Lions International Festival. He has since directed a wide range of commercials for clients such as HP, Amstel Light, Adobe, McDonalds, and MasterCard. Laurence’s first feature film, “Left Handed” was awarded Best Feature at The Milan Film Festival, The Rhode Island Film Festival, L’Aauila Film Festival and The Japan Film Festival. “Pursuit of Loneliness”, Laurence’s second feature Film as a writer/director, made its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2012. “A Different Light”, a new documentary based on the design and construction of a school for visually and hearing impaired students in Finland, will be coming n 2018. Laurence’s most recent commercial work includes spots for Walmart with The Martin Agency, Toyota out of MMB/Boston and Honda with RPA.

Daniel Azancot is a Spanish director that lives in the U.S. He was born in Milan and lived his childhood years in Toulouse and Barcelona. He is fluent in 4 languages: English, Spanish, Italian and French and has a passion for story telling. He has vast experience in commercial advertising and one of his outstanding traits is that he knows how to bond and relate with the actors. His experience directing theater actors allowed him to get to know, work close and bring the best out of talent he selects and collaborates with. His background and degree from IEFC (Centre d’Estudis Fotogràfics de Catalunya) in photography also gives him an edge on how to find depth and meaning to each frame. He’s a world traveler and is comfortable shooting anywhere in the world; USA, Spain, Chile, Argentina, Ukrania, Grece, Romania, México, Guatemala, amongst other countries. His clients include Audi, VW, Orange, State Farm, McDonald’s, Ford, Acura, Telefónica, Vodafone, Repsol, BBVA, ONCE, Caja Madrid, Cerveza San Miguel, Peugeot, Canal Plus España, Mutua Madrileña, ONCE, Amstel, Shandy, Cruz Campo/Heineken, Ausonia, Corona Extra. 

Growing up a short walk from the Pinewood backlot, he gained a real love of ‘Behind the scenes’ having spent his childhood exploring the 007 stage. After film school in Australia he grew up on set, honing his directing craft for over a decade working for hundreds of directors round the world as focus puller, camera operator and Cinematographer. As an awarded director & cinematographer of drama, comedy, and performance TVC’s, documentaries and short films, his commercials & shorts have won many awards at festivals worldwide garnering Clio, Axis, MADC, ATV, AWARD, ACS, Worldwide film Festival and Cannes advertising awards. 

 

Best known for his ability to elicit strong performances and create vibrant cinematic worlds, Alex is driven by his passion for telling character-driven stories that are entertaining and memorable. After many years working on set, Alex moved into post production where he honed his storytelling skills as a commercial editor in London and Sydney. After spending the next decade cutting for some of the best directors in the world, he made the leap into directing himself. He has since directed campaigns for many well known brands including HSBC, Coke, Netflix & SBS. His short film ‘Jackrabbit’ recently had its world premiere at the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival before screening in the 2019 Dendy Awards at the Sydney Film Festival and opening night of the St Kilda Film Festival. Alex prides himself on having a clear vision. He likes to collaborate and always works tirelessly to bring the creative team’s ideas to life in the most compelling way. Above all else, he loves to make films and brings boundless energy to every project.