Access All Arrows — Biscuit

Biscuit Filmworks is a London and Los Angeles based production company founded in 2000 by Director Noam Murro and Managing Director Shawn Lacy specialising in commercials, music videos, and experiential activations. Biscuit has built a reputation for producing award winning campaigns for both local and global markets partnering with agencies and brands to deliver award winning campaigns for both local and global markets. This year, Biscuit Filmworks celebrates 25 years since opening.

We caught up with Managing Director, Rupert Reynolds-MacLean, to talk about his best bits of advice for young people starting off in the industry and the importance of research and references when inspiring creativity...

What do the Young Arrows mean to you?

To create a fair playing field for those involved and entering. It’s not about who can afford to spend the most money. The best work stands out being the best and purest ideas with the best execution. It’s a democratisation that doesn’t feel like it happens everywhere else.

What’s the main reason for coming on board as a sponsor for the Young Arrows?

To have a solid platform and space to support and develop young talent. There are more creators now than ever which makes supporting those people even more important for the future and quality of the industry. Young directors, producers, editors, crew and creatives need support and a showcase for getting their work out there. There are so many platforms and places to see work - for the Arrows to provide a platform for young people to rise to the top is extremely important.

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

The main challenges never really change… Lack of money. Lack of work. Lack of time.

The best way to beat these challenges is to create the space and support to overcome those and learn how to overcome them.

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

Be mindful of people's time. They are normally pitching for free. Often working other jobs to pay their rent. Time is one of the most precious things we can give. Also, please give real feedback. No young director will ever learn from losing a job by being told “it was really close” without anything else constructive.

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

Continuing to develop young directors and producers at Biscuit. In turn supporting the creative networks of those young people such as DOPs, editors, writers and more.

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?

My grandfather said at my 21st Birthday… “Don’t be boring. Nobody ever died wishing they were more boring.”

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

Vigilance. People lose pitches for their entire career. Learn from it. Ask people you trust for advice and notes. Watch good ads. Be inspired by great work. Try and understand what your client has made before so you know how far you can push the work you are pitching on or working on.

Being a student of the industry. Research as much as you can. Bring your references in from culture - art, music, film, literature, current events, conversations, TV, podcasts everything around you is potential inspiration. Everything we are effected by affects our audience and clients.

Thank you to Biscuit for sponsoring the Music Video Editor Award.