James Garrett and Partners has signed up a new, young commercials
director, Jake Nava, as part of a move to introduce a new wave of
directors to its existing roster.
Nava joins two other recent recruits, Tony Riggs and Nicholas Barker
(Campaign, 16 June and 27 October, respectively), alongside its more
established directors, such as Richard Loncraine and Barney Edwards.
The 26-year-old has about a dozen music videos and three trailers for
MTV Europe’s new sports programming to his credit.
His work embodies a cinematic visual style, not typical of music videos.
Nava explained: ‘I don’t just throw the camera around and get people to
shake their long, sweaty hair.’
Nava added that he opted to join Garretts, as opposed to a younger,
smaller outfit, because of what he can learn. ‘Garretts has a lot of
respect in this industry and it has recognised the need to evolve. It is
terrific that I am to be part of this evolution. Rather than go to a
wacky company, I feel I need the guidance from an established film
company.’
Mike Gilmour, Garrett’s managing director, attributed the hiring of
Nava, Riggs and Barker to the need to keep pace with the marketplace.
‘As a major production company we need to represent talents that are in
demand in different sectors of the industry,’ he said. ‘While there is
always a market for the traditionally crafted commercial, there is also
a market for new image-makers.’
