Top director: Amy Gebhardt

Every fortnight Campaign Brief Asia is turning the spotlight on a hot director that is currently in the news. This new feature to the website portfolios their work and gives an insight into how they operate. Here we look at one of Australia’s best emerging directors.

Amy Gebhardt won the 2008 Kodak Young Director’s Award and was included in the 2007 Saatchi & Saatchi New Director’s Showcase, accolades that have helped her make the transition into directing commercials. Represented by Australian-based Exit Film, she has just wrapped her first major campaign, VB’s ‘Raise a Glass’, commissioned by David Nobay founder of Droga5 Sydney. After graduating from a Bachelor of Laws and Arts majoring in film in 1998, she became a writer/director/cinematographer in both drama and documentaries. In 2005 Gebhardt enrolled in a Master’s of Directing at the AFTRS, graduating in 2007. Here she directed three short films: ‘Look Sharp’, ‘Walnut’ and ‘Pleasance’ (see trailers for all three here). She also completed a mentorship with renowned director Jane Campion and is currently developing her first feature.

What was your experience working on VB’s ‘Raise a Glass’ campaign?

Thiswas an amazing, intensive process of finding real characters willing totell a story about a loved one lost through war. Finding ways to letthe stories breathe with personal truth, while still sitting within abranded campaign was a great challenge. We used a small crew and stayedloyal to the mood of the characters so that the stories held as muchhonesty and intimacy as possible.

Have you tackled the Asian market yet?

Myproducer, Jane Liscombe, has just sent my reel to Ogilvy Hong Kong attheir request. So, although I haven’t worked in Asia yet, there may beopportunities on the horizon.

What was your first big break as a commercials director?

Therecent VB campaign. Not only because it gave me the chance to work withDroga5, but because we produced a lot of content: five 60-second spots,a two minute spot, a 30-second spot and three interstitials running forthree minutes.

Fosters is a big client for the agency so thepressure was on to deliver. I honestly doubt I would have been able toget this first job had it not been for the Saatchi Showcasedistributing my short film. Unfortunately so much great work fromtalented storytellers goes under the radar because there are few forumsthat cross-pollinate the short film and commercial worlds.

View the VB 2 Minute spot.

View the VB ‘Keith’ spot.

View the VB ‘Bill’ spot.

View the VB ‘Betty’ spot.

View the VB ‘Frank’ spot.

View the VB ‘Rachel’ spot. 

You have directed several short films and I believe you have a feature film in the pipeline. Will you continue to mix commercials and film work?

Istarted out as a cinematographer, so in making the short films Iconsciously set out to work with actors at a more intensive level. Ifelt confident around the camera, but the characterisation process wasa total mystery to me. Training at AFTRS and refining a performanceapproach was vital in developing my directorial work. What I love aboutthis work is that there will always be more to learn because it is sucha multi-dimensional craft. I have Screen Australia funding to developmy feature script, which I am very excited about. I definitely want tocontinue working on long form drama and documentary as they are artforms I love and they give me the chance to meet strong characters.Film feeds directly into my commercials work because each time Istrengthen my storytelling experience that bit more.  

What’s the most memorable spot you’ve directed?

Makingthe VB interstitials, which were mini documentaries, was a chance totry a slightly longer form story telling technique within a brandedcontext. The one starring the character of Frankwas most memorable for me. I cut up his audio interview from ourinitial meeting and slowly tracked in on his face as we played it backto him. This was a powerful way to capture his response to his ownstory. This constructed approach allowed an unusual truth to emerge asboth Frank and the audience listen to his story for the first time.

What do you enjoy about directing commercials?

Ireally like the fast turnaround because it forces you to totally devourthe concept wholeheartedly from the outset. There is never any time towaste. Hopefully each job allows you to flex new creative musclesbecause of their differences in style and approach. Exploring andevolving my relationships with my key creative team is team is alsodeeply rewarding.

What are your favourite three commercials directed by others?

Michel Gondry’s Levi commercial.

Bats for Lashes film clip – ‘What’s a girl to do?’

Mark Malloy’s ‘Guatemala’ for Panasonic.

Previous featured directors.

Top director: Simon McQuoid (Revolver)