REEL FACTORY - Key Persons
An accomplished director, cinematographer and editor. Andy's thoughtful and philosophical approach, combining aesthetic principles has helped secure his reputation as a director who excels in a variety of genres.
Andy has worked with clients such as Nike, Adidas, All Blacks, Gatorade, Powerade, 361º, NAB Bank, ANZ, Tui, The NRL, Sealord, Mazda, Air New Zealand, Curionoir, Pharoahe Monch, Memphis Bleek, Sid Diamond and many more...
Curtis has most recently directed two feature films and a TV series along with commercial projects for Air New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand, Kia, Ford, Colgate, Bargain Box and many more.
Maxy, a North Island surfer from New Zealand, is a director/DOP/photographer with a penchant for visually narrating emotive stories. A fusion of technical expertise and artistic talent, he's the ultimate road-trip companion - inquisitive, thoughtful, clued up, hands-on and solutions-focused. He's the guy who just gets things done.
Happiest when making films with a solid emotional component driving the storytelling and performances, Fernando strives to tell stories that marry great visuals with technical excellence.
Gareth Williams is an award-winning performer & filmmaker. Always leading with a personable approach, Gareth's mission is to get people talking and relaxed on camera - his time spent acting has been invaluable in crafting his skills as a Director.
A graduate of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, he has received numerous accolades for a long line up of work including a nomination for the Billy T James Award. Gareth's desire to constantly evolve as a director and master the craft of filmmaking prompted his transition behind the camera.
As well as commercials, Gareth has a wealth of experience as a producer and director of narrative TV drama and his naturalistic approach and well-trained eye for aesthetic, leads him to create poetic images that translate on-screen into visually sophisticated, cinematic, and truly vibrant imagery.
A master of motion-control camera movement, Greg has earned a reputation as the go-to director for complex, one-shot trailers to promote some of streaming giant Netflix's flagship titles including 13 Reasons Why, Glow, When They See Us, Cowboy Bebop & Hollywood.
A multi award-winning filmmaker and director. James' work has spanned the globe, directing primetime reality television, scripted comedy, documentaries, music videos, branded content and commercial spots for international brands. Most recently James has been working with brands such as Volcom, Adidas, The Cleveland Cavaliers, H&M, Wendy's, Red Bull, Gatorade, AIG, and Hyundai to name a few. He has developed a special association with the world champion All Blacks rugby team, having directed a huge number of their sponsor commercial spots over the years. If you want to check out more of James' work or collab with him get in touch with the RF team.
Cutting his teeth in the film industry in art design on feature films before moving into commercial and long-form, James' work combines a strong visual style and technical skill with a close attention to storytelling and performance.
Johnny brings electric enthusiasm to any project he delves into. He loves the mechanics of the film making process and just can't shrug off his reputation as an absolute rock-solid Director.
Directing large-scale projects for clients as diverse as Toyota and Google, Anheuser Busch, Panasonic and a foray into feature filmmaking, Jonny Zeller's work isn't best described within the confines of one specific genre. The common thread? Powerful cinematic storytelling. Whether that goal is accomplished through the strength of a story or the beauty of a single shot, he always makes the most out of every opportunity. This attitude is best reflected by his unshakeable work ethic and his uncompromising attention to detail, both traits that continue to serve him and his clients well.
During his illustrious career, Josh has established himself as an industry-heavy weight and is a highly sought-after drama and commercial film director in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia.
His bout with commercials has led to a string of success, working with great creative directors and many high-end clients. Recently, Josh has split his time directing commercials and some of New Zealand's biggest TV shows. His unique ability to bring a sense of scale to his commercials is one of his signature talents. Whether the situation is comic or serious, Josh seeks to find what makes a film tick, the tension that tells a story. At the centre of his work are relatable characters, every man and woman who seem like family, friends, colleagues or neighbours, rooting his film in the familiar but never fearing a foray into the absurd or mysterious.
Meet Keith Ehrlich, a.k.a. Keef, the master storyteller and creative genius working to tell stories and create experiences for brands, networks, agencies, and institutions that both educate and inspire.
Deftly creating work that is epic in scope but intimate in detail, Lance prides himself on creating visually-stunning yet genuinely-human commercials and films.
First and foremost, Laura is a storyteller, passionate about sparking conversation, challenging the norm, and encouraging positive change. Her work demonstrates emotional, thoughtfully-crafted storytelling - even with the most sensitive of topics.
Lizzy Bailey digs into the heart of a story and its characters. Treading the line between funny and heartfelt, her work celebrates the real, human side of us all. With a keen eye for casting, Bailey creates nuanced, subtle performances that are grounded in reality. She is an inquisitive director always looking for ways to move an audience with laughter or tears.
An alumni of Melbourne's Victorian College of the Arts Documentary program, her work is authentic and naturalistic. She has directed commercials for brands such as Google Nest, Victorian Government, Citibank, Drive, Sunsuper, Kellogg's, Origin Energy, NAB, Gem Finance, and Bonds. Bailey's recent work for Google Nest was heralded by Umbrella as ‘Campaign of the Year' while her recent campaign for Guardian Funerals was listed as ad of the week on LBB Online and was nominated for Campaign Brief's ‘The Work 2022'. Her latest shorts, ‘Yes?' and ‘Lil' played in festivals around Australia, picking up awards for Best Female Director at Freshflix and shortlisted for Best Comedy at Setting Sun Festival. She has several other upcoming projects in development.
With a flair for comedy, Matt's dry wit combined with imaginative visuals creates a subtle absurdity that makes his work distinct and entertaining. Always playing with what's possible, his creativity embraces practical effects to achieve his vision. Equally at home with the heartfelt and emotionally charged, Matt's versatility spans genres - able to draw nuanced performances and brooding visuals. Together he has established a diverse body of work that is unified with his distinct conceptual eye.
Mike has enjoyed great success as a director of commercials working on major campaigns for companies like IGA, Oporto, RAC, Nestle, AA Insurance, Telecom, Police, Sanitarium, BP, Dominion Breweries, Fisher & Paykel, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Lotteries, Ford, NIB Insurance along with many, many others.
Known for both comedy and drama, Robins' work has been commended throughout the industry as some of the most honest and funniest to come out of Australasia in recent years.
Film director Robin Walters, known best for his character-driven commercials has been warmly welcomed to the RF team. Like most creatives, his creativity doesn't turn on at 9am and off at 5pm. Robin has gained a reputation as one of the most original and perceptive directors working in the entire Asia Pacific region.
As a second-generation filmmaker, Sigi has worked in almost every area of film. Filmmaking is in his blood, working on an extreme range of projects across the globe from the bizarre to the beautiful.
Tom has established himself as one of New Zealand's best comedy directors. As a comedian himself, he has been head writer on both 7Days and Jono and Ben. Tom always has alot to offer to a script with his genius comedic touch.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director and Writer
Vince McMillan is a talented filmmaker, director and writer with a career spanning over a decade in the industry. He is best known for his work on the critically acclaimed and award-winning television series "Kura," which explores the lives of young Māori in contemporary New Zealand. The show has had a significant impact on storytelling in New Zealand and has been praised for its authentic and nuanced portrayal of Māori culture and experiences.
Vince McMillan is a talented filmmaker, director and writer with a career spanning over a decade in the industry. He is best known for his work on the critically acclaimed and award-winning television series "Kura," which explores the lives of young Māori in contemporary Aotearoa. The show has been widely praised for its authentic and nuanced portrayal of Māori culture and experiences. With its distinctive blend of humour, heart and uniquely Kiwi characters, "Kura" has made an indelible impact on the New Zealand media landscape.
McMillan's writing and directing skills are evident in the success of "Kura", which has fast become one of the country's most popular shows, garnering millions of streams from an incredibly dedicated fanbase. He has a knack for creating relatable and compelling characters, and his ability to tell stories that resonate has made him one of the most sought-after talents in the industry. McMillan has won several awards for his work on "Kura," including an NZ Web Fest Award for Best Script, and London Web Fest Award for Best Director.
In addition to his work on "Kura", McMillan has also made a name for himself in the commercial world. He has directed several high-profile commercials for clients including Air New Zealand and Spark Sport. As with all of his work, creativity and storytelling come to the fore, making him a force to be reckoned with as a commercial director.
High-quality storytelling and cinematic sensibilities, as well as an unerring ability to capture the human experience in a way that is both relatable and thought-provoking, have become the hallmarks of McMillan's directorial style - both narratively and commercially.