Meeting-up with the Deputy Managing Director & Executive Producer from INDEPENDENT Rupert Reynolds-MacLean

You’re one of the 2015 YDA jury, what this award represent for you as producer?

RRM: It’s definitely one of the most important awards there is. There are so many awards that are so client or agency focussed that it becomes very difficult for a young director or creative of any sort to be championed in such a difficult industry to break through. The heartwarming thing that I got from last year when I was judging was that there is so much fantastic young talent coming through constantly. As the industry continues to develop and be more focussed on below the line content there is swathe of new opportunities for young directors to develop their work for brands. Young directors and producers need more support and recognition than ever.

When you decide to bet on a young director, what is the most important thing for you?

RRM: Potential mixed with hunger. We have signed multiple directors in the past based on having made one short film, but in that film we will have seen something that moved us emotionally and made us believe in that director. It may be that they start to work straight away because an agency decides to take a punt on them as well, or it may take time but that potential never changes. If the director is hungry to develop their craft then we will always believe in them. Any young director cannot do it by themselves though. Film is a collaborative form and we need to work with great DPs, writers, art directors, producers, production designers, editors, casting agents, stylists, post supervisors etc in order to make good work.

What is your latest news?

RRM: We have some stunning new work coming out from Jake Dypka, Bouha Kazmi and Edward Housden who have all either won awards or been shortlisted in the YDAs in the past. It has been a really good year for us in commercials and content.

Here are a couple of company highlights for us from the last few months:

Pucci “Orange Juice” directed by Edward Housden

An advice for future YDA participant ?

RRM: Keep perfecting your craft. If paid work slows down then go out and make something. Continue to build your relationships and don’t wait for anyone to give you anything. Go out and make it.

And a link to our site and our content division Indy8 which most of our young directors come through.