Fueld Films Adds Martelli Brothers
The directors of the 'Gymkhana' motorsport virals have signed for TV commercial representation.
Fueld Films Adds Martelli Brothers, Directors of the "Gymkhana" Videos
The Austin, TX-based Fueld Films has added the Martelli Brothers to their roster. The San Diego-based directors are best known for their blockbuster "Gymkhana" viral film series, produced and directed for Ken Block and title sponsor DC Shoes. The videos document in breathtaking fashion the extreme motorsport discipline that's marked by precision, high-speed driving involving obstacles, curves and lots of drifting cars burning rubber. The technique has begun to show up in mainstream automotive TV spots for a wide range of brands.
"I've actually known Josh and Matt Martelli for years," explains Fueld's Executive Producer Brady Anderton. "They live and breathe action, whether it's Baja racing, motocross, skateboarding or surfing. But once they blew up the entire internet with Ken Block and the 'Gymkhana films,' we decided to go after them full force."
"We're greedy," explains Ben Hurst, Partner at Fueld Films and half of its comedy directing team known as Ben & Dave. So we always thought we'd hate to pass along a cool project to any other director. We'd rather keep it for ourselves."
Dave Thomas, former Crispin ACD and Hurst's directing partner, agrees. "There's only one reason to bring new directors into our fold. They have to bring something to the table that we absolutely can't offer."
The addition of the Martelli Brothers expands the scope of Fueld's director offering beyond the comedy of the Ben/Dave duo, adding a resource for auto, sports and action-based work. "We've always half-jokingly said that if you can make comedy, you can do anything," says Thomas. "We can make comedy, but nobody can do what the Martellis have been doing."
"We've been huge fans of Fueld's work for years," says Josh Martelli. "For us, this is a chance to stretch our wings a bit and add our no-nonsense style of over-the-top action directing to Fueld's comedy expertise. There's no better way to reach younger audiences than through humor and action, so we're thoroughly stoked to be working with their team."
"It's the easiest pitch in the world," Anderton continues. "All I have to do is say, 'You've seen Gymkhana, right? Well, so have about 105 million other people.' Who doesn't want that kind of viral prowess at their disposal?"
