ADG Commercial & Content Directing Mentoree Profile: Vanessa Gazy
With our Women in Media Awards only weeks away, B&T has paired up with the Australian Directors’ Guild (ADG) to showcase the fabulous recipients of their Commercial & Content Directing Mentorship program.
This program supports the promotion of female directors in a male-dominated industry by pairing them up with mentor companies – and perfectly aligns with what the Women in Media Awards is all about; making sure women in this industry get recognised for their efforts, as well as a fair shot, and a seat at the table.
This year, eight up-and-coming female directors were paired with top commercial production companies. Read more on that here.
Our last profile featured the lovely Aimee-Lee Curran, and this week it’s on to Vanessa Gazy, who’s been paired up with Scoundrel Films.
How did you become involved with the program?
I have been working as a writer/director, primarily in the film and music video spaces.
Lately I have found myself drawn towards commercial work – not only is beautiful work being made in advertising, but commercial work provides important opportunities to practice one’s craft and to work with some of the industry’s most experienced professionals.
I became aware of the initiative last year and this year felt like the right time to apply for me. So I did, and was thrilled to be selected.
Which company/who have you been mentored with?
I am at Scoundrel Films. Scoundrel do such beautiful, high-end work and I’m very lucky to have been selected for a mentorship with them.
So far I’ve been lucky enough to be on set alongside two of their extremely talented directors – Sydney-based James Dive and Berlin-based director Daniel Warwick.
What are you most looking forward to about the mentoring program?
So far it has been exciting and eye-opening to be welcomed into the Scoundrel office and to be invited on set. The directors and producers I have worked alongside have been very generous with their time and their knowledge.
As a director, it is very rare to be given the opportunity to watch other directors at work, so I feel very privileged to be able to observe such talented creatives. A lot can be learned by observing.
Scoundrel have already given me opportunities to pitch, and I’m looking forward to further opportunities to grow and evolve in the company.
What are you excited to gain from having a mentor?
I’m excited to gain more hands-on commercial directing experience from this mentorship, to continue to hone my craft as both a director and a writer, and to become increasingly comfortable with the pitching processes.
Do you think the program will help your career? Why?
I certainly believe that this program will help me to progress as a commercial director. The team at Scoundrel are supportive and at the top of their game, and I see potential to grow with them!
What was the best advice you’ve ever received?
Simple advice prior to directing my first major short film, given to me by my supervisor at the time – who happened to be director Samantha Lang, now president of the ADG and one of the main proponents of the Commercial Mentorship program. She said, “Fortune favours the bold.”
What advice would you give to young, aspiring women?
Women make excellent directors – I’m surrounded by examples of that in the work of my friends, teachers, mentors and peers.
So take the bull by its proverbial horns and aim high. Generate as much work as you can, apply for opportunities as they come along, be curious, be courageous.
B&T‘s Women in Media Awards 2018 will be held on Friday 17 August 2018 at Doltone House – Jones Bay Wharf. Grab early bird tickets to the event here and find all other info on the website.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Australian Directors Guild B&T Women in Media Awards 2018 Commercial & Content Directing Mentorship program Scoundrel Films women in media awardsLatest News
Lions Live Set To Launch Second Young Lions Live Award Brief
As part of Lions Live in June, Lions Live challenged under 30s with a brief in partnership with the World Food Programme. It was free to enter, and nearly 1,000 young adlanders entered. It was such a success, Lions Live plan to run a second competition during Lions Live this week. This time the brief […]
Tuesday TV Wrap: SAS Knifes The Block, As Seven & Nine In Rare Dead Heat
Seven must be loving the press SAS Australia is getting at the moment, but not that it’s necessarily translated to viewers for the oddball reality show. Last night’s second SAS outing posted 795,000 eyeballs according to OzTAM metro numbers, making it slightly down on Monday’s debut that had 834,000. In better news for Seven, SAS […]
Are Australian Brands Missing A Subscription Opportunity?
US retailer Walmart surprised many when it launched Walmart Plus last month, a premium subscription service that gives members access to unlimited delivery and special deals. The move puts Walmart directly against Amazon, which has enjoyed enormous success through its Amazon Prime initiative in recent years. And while the US retail subscription market might be […]
Mindshare Boss Nick Emery “Filmed Himself With His Bottom Out” Prior To Sacking
Nick Emery’s misdemeanour that led to his abrupt sacking can finally be revealed. The London-based Mindshare global CEO was given his marching orders last Thursday after an incident that WPP described as “inappropriate and offensive” and “a clear breach of the company’s code of conduct”. And it appears the UK’s venerable The Sun newspaper has […]
HT&E Appoints Angela Ewers As New Chief People Officer
HT&E today announces Angela Ewers has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief People Officer. Ewers will commence her new role in November, based in Sydney, where she will lead both HT&E and ARN’s People & Culture function to support growth and ensure ARN is not just Australia’s number one radio and digital audio business, but also […]
Is Christmas Cancelled? Research Reveals Aussies Plan To Spend Less This Festive Season
New research has revealed a major cut-back in Christmas spending, with Australians planning to spend less on gifts, food, and social events this season. The research out of market research firm Toluna also reveals 23 per cent of Australians are worried about being able to afford the Christmas season altogether. Australians are feeling the pinch, […]
Pause Fest To Return In 2021 As Online Event
Festival for business and creativity, Pause Fest, has confirmed the event will run in 2021 – and will be its biggest to date. The 11th Pause Fest – named Changes – will migrate from its Melbourne home to the online world for the first time, running 1-12 March 2021. “Pause Fest has always been at […]
Nine Director Of News Darren Wick Charged With Drink-Driving, Blowing Over Four Times The Legal Limit
Nine director of news and current affairs Darren Wick has been charged with drink-driving after he was caught driving over four times the legal alcohol limit following a work function Friday evening. As first reported on the SMH, Wick’s blood alcohol reading was more than .2. The legal limit is 0.05. Following the incident, Wick sent […]
Shutterstock Adds Editorial Video Service
Shutterstock today announced the highly anticipated addition of Editorial Video, a new premium, full-service editorial video offering that is now available for license. Critical Past, Celebrity Footage and Viral Hog are just a few of the new partners who will distribute their engaging video content worldwide through Shutterstock’s Editorial Video. In addition, current partners’ epa […]
Adobe Unveils A Host Of New Innovations As Part Of Adobe Max 2020
Today at Adobe MAX, Adobe unveiled significant innovation across its Creative Cloud applications and services. In addition to ground-breaking new features like Neural Filters in Photoshop, the company released major updates to its flagship applications including Lightroom, Premiere Pro and Illustrator. Adobe also underscored its commitment to accelerating the development of mobile and multi-surface apps, with […]
The Data-Driven Revolution: Data Is The Key to Marketers’ Integral Role In Driving Business Growth
The role a marketer plays in the success or failure of a brand has never been disputed. However, modern marketers are now taking on their biggest role yet – tasked with not only driving exceptional customer experiences but also business growth. In fact, a new report surveying more than 1,000 marketers across APAC from Salesforce […]
Cate Blanchett & Aussie Celebs Back DrinkWise’s You Got This Campaign For Year 12s Via 89 Degrees East
DrinkWise and Communications Agency 89 Degrees East has launched a new campaign called You Got This – an initiative designed to support Year 12s as they head into their final exams. The campaign involves well-known Australians offering short video messages of support for Year 12 students, including superstar Cate Blanchett, Australian Test Cricket Captain Tim […]
Breeders Choice Encourages People To Choose Better With Campaign Via The Sister & Mother Tongue Agency
Cat litter brand, Breeders Choice, produced by FibreCycle, has made a bold move to get pet owners caring more about cats’ waste with a series of animated videos featuring a new tagline and a full marketing program. The “Choose Better, Choose Ginger” campaign launched this week via a unique collaboration of independent Melbourne agencies led […]
Timboon Fine Ice Cream Celebrates 21 Wears With Rebrand Via Squad Ink
To mark a twenty-one year milestone the iconic Victorian ice cream brand, Timboon Fine Ice Cream, has revealed a modernised new look for their take home tubs. Tim Marwood, third generation farmer and founder of Timboon Fine Ice Cream, explains why the anniversary provoked the upgrade. “There’s not too many small family rural based ice […]
Study: 51% Of Aussie Professionals Don’t Feel Safe Returning To The Office
Just over half (51 per cent) of professionals who have been working remotely do not yet feel safe and happy to return to their co-located workplace, according to a survey of more than 3,000 working professionals by recruiting experts Hays. Of these, Western Australians are the most confident, with 73 per cent of those who […]
Bendigo TAFE And Kangan Institute Launch Latest Advertising Campaign – Our Heroes
Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute have launched their latest advertising campaign titled, Our Heroes, which is a celebration of the role their students play in the community. “Within a few short years, our students are building our houses, nursing our sick, fixing our cars, caring for our children and pets, designing our clothes – all […]
“F@ckwit Keyboard Warriors!” Roxy Slams Trollers After Abrupt SAS Australia Exit
Roxy's quit SAS Australia after just one episode. Now this wouldn't have happened had Schapelle brought the hooch.
Big W Partners With Pinterest To Launch Spring Collections Campaign
The towels and bathmats in the B&T loos are all from Big W. Admittedly, we haven't updated them from 1981, however.
Snapchat New Lens Studio In Time For The iPhone 12
You may not think it by reading this, but B&T's tech writer doesn't have asthma & still lives at home with his parents.
“Goon Couture!” Kmart Unveils $25 Handbag With Secret Booze Dispenser
B&T's predicting this booze bag'll be the must-have fashion item of the summer! And cirrhosis, by the sounds of things.
“Hugging”, “Sunlight” & “Self-Love” Could Work As COVID-19 Vaccine, According To Celebrity Chef Pete Evans
Crazy Pete returns with new "hugging, sunlight & self-love" COVID cure. Just don't try it with strangers on trains.
“We Stuffed Up!” Daily Tele Apologises For Publishing Dally M Winner Three Hours Early
On a positive note, publishing winners' names early does allow more time to write far better acceptance speeches.
Land Rover Announced As Major Sponsor Of Seven’s SAS Australia
Land Rover announced as major sponsor of SAS Australia. Apparently, the Nissan Micra was rejected by management.
Monday TV Wrap: Seven’s New Military Show SAS Australia A Surprise Hit
By all the reports out today, SAS Australia's got car crash written all over it. That typically ensures big numbers.
“Yippee Ki Yay!” Bruce Willis Reprises Die Hard Role For Violence-Packed Battery Ad
This ad's awash with violence, explosions & rampant machismo. Typically, big no-nos of any 2020 agency creative.
Nocturnal Passions Fuel Edgy New Spot For Hyundai Via AnalogFolk Sydney
This car spot promises "dream-like sequences, deconstructed nursery rhymes and rap". Don't say you've not been warned.
GroupM Australia Chief Investment Officer Nicola Lewis Promoted To Global Finecast Role
Nicola Lewis promoted to global chief growth officer of Finecast. Sadly, no news yet on any celebratory morning tea.
OMD Wins UnLtd Cup In 9th Annual Futsal Tournament
B&T's not entirely across the game of futsal but understands there's no jousting over pits of venomous adders.
H&M Launches Shop Online In Australia From Today
H&M's unveiled its new online store, meaning you can conveniently shop at home before it falls apart after two washes.
