We really liked Denis Parchow’s spec ad for Schwarkopf, it was extremely well crafted and produced. But when his ad for Teddy Bear company Steif came out we knew he’d made a leap into the realm of really good imaginative story-telling as well. Denis is just finishing up at film school so stand-by to see his final graduation film soon.
When did you first realise you wanted to direct?
I shot a hell lot of shorts when I was young. It was a lot of fun. Once we placed a firecracker and a fake blood filled condom to my stomache to simulate a gun hit. The results were amazing but my hearing was really damaged and it hurt for a week. From that point on I decided to be the one behind that camera.
Are you self-taught or did you go to film school?
In fact I’m studying commercial directing at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg for a few more months.
Your work reveals a very sophisticated and canny use of vfx. Where does this experience come from?
I always thought you should try to shot as much as you can in camera. But in the last years VFX became much more easy to handle. And if you have a clear picture of what you want to see on the screen afterwards it’ always a big advantage for the whole post team.
You have five videos on your reel – are these all commissioned work? Did you write the scripts for any of them?
One of the five spots (IHK “Prashant”) was a commissioned work. The other ones are all
specs. I did write all the scripts with the help of my girlfriend Hanna who is also studying at
the Filmakademie (series producing).
What is the piece of work you’re most proud of and why?
I guess that would be my latest – Steiff “Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark”. The team handled disadvantages very well like the first main cast broke his leg just two days before the planned shoot so we had to recast and reschedule the whole thing. And I’m still pretty proud that we could convince Steiff to support the idea.
How would you summarise your strengths and weaknesses as a film maker?
It’s a trap. I believe my weakness is that I don’t try to figure it out and try to focus on my strengths like being always well prepared.
Are you signed to a production company? What are you working on now?
I’m not signed yet. Right now I’m working on my last spec spot at the Filmakademie.
What would you like to be doing in five years time?
I would love to do the stuff I do right now: shooting commercials.
