Access All Arrows — Academy

Academy is a production home for creative talent. Art, film, music, photography and advertising runs in their blood, and creativity is at the heart of everything they do. They have spent more than 35 years developing film making talent, picking up awards across all platforms and working with some of the biggest brands, most exciting artists and brightest creative minds in the world.

We spoke to Academy's Global Managing Director/EP, Medb Riordan, and Executive Producer, Darapen Vongsa-nga, about how to break down barriers and champion the next generation of filmmaking talent.

What’s the role of the Young Arrows within the advertising industry?

DARAPEN: It’s an important way to discover and champion the new and emerging talent out there in the world. So often we get stuck in a cycle of using the same familiar names whether that be Directing talent, colourists, sound engineers, etc, that creates a huge barrier to young folks coming in. It can be a fairly closed industry so it’s important that we have a platform that shouts about the excellence of the new guard to keep the industry fresh and ever moving forward.

What are some of the challenges young people face starting off in the industry, and what can we do about these challenges?

MEDB: Well I think you need to ask them, but from my perspective, the challenges remain somewhat unchanged. Financial pressures, opportunities to grow your reel, access to opportunities. The way forward is to keep looking for chances in unexpected places. That could mean going direct to a brand, finding more creative social-first projects, or teaming up with newer agencies that are willing to take a chance.

If you are unsigned, I would suggest building your reel yourself. We are at an incredible time with technology that you can shoot an entire video, or project, yourself, with your iPhone and your laptop. We didn’t have that when I started. Film was exclusive to those who could afford to rent a camera, find an editor and a post house. Experiment, find your voice. If you have something unique to say, the prod cos will be fighting for your attention. And at that point, do sign. They will guide you and get you from A to B, be your rock, your agent, your creative partner. And if they’re not that, then sack them and find someone else.

If you could change one thing about the way the advertising industry supports emerging talent, what would it be?

MEDB: Give them more jobs! Don’t be chicken! All the big directors were emerging once – Kim, Seb, Glazer. They didn’t walk out of the womb with a fully baked reel. 

Do you have any plans for the future when it comes to supporting emerging talent?

MEDB: It’s all about strategic approaches – and nowadays, that can come from EPs, Reps, production company producers and also directors themselves. Whether that’s approaching a music artist directly, a brand directly, or a creative director or producer, it’s about finding the right outlet rather than forcing a name into the mix that doesn’t fit.

What advice would you give to anyone starting out in the industry? Or the best piece of advice you received early on in your career?

MEDB: Have some patience. It has always taken a beat to break through, and have trust that your production company has your best interests at heart, and of course, make sure they do! If you win, we win. But we need to make the right work together.

What do you think are the most important skills/qualities that young professionals need when starting out in the advertising industry?

MEDB: A strong worth ethic and ability to be flexible with your ideas. That doesn’t mean dumbing down what you do, or taking an approach that compromises your identity as a director. But being collaborative with the teams (producers, agencies, music artists and labels) builds a better relationship and can often lead to better - and more - work. This job ain’t easy, and creating the right team environment for yourself and those around you will make for the best possible outcome.

What are you most looking forward to for the rest of the year creatively?

MEDB: I’d like to see new, unique directors shine. I’d like to see new voices that will genuinely set the tone for the future of the industry – whether that’s aesthetic choices, techniques or storytelling, it would be great to feel the new wave really push through.

Thank you to Academy for sponsoring the Young Arrows New Director: Unsigned award.