Andreas Roth

Dirt Devil: Exorcist
1st Prize European Filmschool
Representation: aliveandwell.us

When did you first pick up a camera?

I started at school, during art class. This was followed quickly by my first short film.

What does winning at the YDA mean to you?

It’s an incredible honour to win the YDA. There are so many outstanding submissions. It makes me proud but at the same time it humbles me so I can draw strength for the next work.

What was the most challenging aspect of making your spot?

There were quite a few difficult decisions, but I would say the exorcist-ceiling construction with the daughter (Ann-Kathrin Doerig) was the most challenging. She was hanging by a rope from the ceiling and was actually moved back and forth for a couple of takes – that was really intense. Ann and the entire cast have done an incredibly good job – without their performances the spot wouldn’t be that good.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

There are directors that I admire but I get my inspiration mostly out of photographs. Stills often show stimulations and light situations which one can transport into moving images.

What do you think is the future of advertising?

I have a feeling that longer formats are coming our way. You see more and more short films that are branded. Also documentary formats that bring the brand closer to the consumer. Honestly, I’m very excited about where the journey is going. However, I believe that sooner or later, the classic spot
will no longer work alone.

What commercial do you wish you had made and why?

There are so many. One is Hail – The Return of the Sun by Joseph Kahn for solar power company Solon. It takes the viewer into another world with a good idea and execution.

Where do you hope to be this time next year?

Exactly here in the same place, but with two or three other interesting films on my reel.

If I wasn’t directing I’d be…

I would like to know myself. But I know I would want to return to directing.