WE love Corlin Stubbs’ reel, particularly the test commercials which he has continued to write and shoot since winning a prize at the YDA in 2009 in that category. Here we showcase his test films..
Please tell us what you’re doing now and where?
I currently work and reside in Los Angeles. The piece I won the YDA for was really my first serious “reel piece”. Since then I have shot more pieces for my reel, including one I went back to Cannes the following year for. It was for the Cannes Framepool/ LBB Online Fireflies competition. I am also currently working on another piece, and always writing! I have gotten some freelance ad work thanks to my YDA winning spot as well.
What were the key moments from winning at the YDA to the present? Did winning the YDA help you in any way?
The great thing about winning the YDA is it helps with getting people to take notice. I have been able to get in the door at a lot of places, meet a lot of terrific people, and get great feedback for developing my reel.
Which piece of work are you the proudest of and why?
Every piece I have done has a special place in my heart for one reason or another; but I am probably most proud, still, of my YDA winning piece, as well as one I wrote and shot on spec for Levis.
What would your dream job/script be?
I love directing anything with a strong protagonist, sense of adventure, as well as real stories about seemingly ordinary people doing something great or out of the norm. In an ideal world, combining all my passions into one script would be amazing; hitting the road shooting a great story, with a lot of energy and perhaps being able to incorporate my other passion of rock climbing would be the icing on the cake, a sort of Jack Kerouac hits the open road to get lost, go climbing, while meeting interesting people along the way, if that makes any sense?
What is the most valuable advice you have been given about film making?
Don’t shoot what you think others want to see, shoot what YOU want to see and what YOU love, if you do it right, and are enthusiastic enough about it, others will want to see it too.
Who are the most inspirational directors for you?
I love the style, imagery, and vibe of Johnny Green’s ads, I think they are amazing. I love Ridley and Tony Scott and also have been blown away by Derek Cianfrance’s work, Blue Valentine was inspirational to me along with his ad work. I also cannot forget David Lean, the scope, the landscapes and imagery, and well, everything.
What are you watching, reading, listening to? Where do you see ads or branding most?
I just started combing through Mountaineering; The Freedom of the Hills. as well as Boomerang; Travels in the new Third World by Michael Lewis. As far as what I listen to, it is a big variety, but currently a lot of American folk and blue grass, with a healthy dose of classical and various pop on the radio to stay current with things of course.
As a person a bit in love with the ad world, I see ads the most on the internet, I hunt for them, both through Industry publications as well as production company websites and agency websites.
