Independent Signs Two New Directors

UK production company Independent have signed Rodrigo Saavedra for representation in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands and Michael Humphrey to their roster and Indy8.

Born inside a walled city in North England, Michael Humphrey is a prolific visual storyteller with one eye on comic timing and the other on cinematic technique.

This results in a strange look on his face but means he is at home directing talent as he is experimenting with visual techniques. He has a keen eye for casting and a dedicated understanding of the actors’ craft, resulting in memorable performances. Elegant cinematography and unconventional art direction are hallmarks of his visual style.

He has recently returned to the UK after a couple of years honing his reel in Australia and New Zealand. Humphrey’s portfolio of work spans commercials, experiential activations, short films and music videos.

A Cannes Young Director nomination in 2014 was a strong start to his commercials career. This year’s success has been with his Jaguar Activation Film, which was nominated for a multitude of CAANZ Axis and Award Awards, picking up Gold, Silver and Bronze at Cannes and a Pencil at D&AD.

Rodrigo Saavedra is a director or commercials, content and interactive films.

After graduating from St Martins College of Art and Design in London, and then went on to work as an art director and copywriter for agencies such as Mother London, WCRS London, Wieden & Kennedy Amsterdam and as creative director at Santo Buenos Aires. His talent did not go unnoticed, as he brought back a bunch of awards from D&AD, the One Show and Cannes Lions, just to name a few.

The progression to directing was a natural one and in July 2013 Rodrigo made the jump. Things all happened pretty quickly from there with major TV and interactive campaigns for Budweiser, Chivas, VW, Havaianas and Corona. His most recent work, for Scrabble, has taken the internet by storm (Time magazine called it "the perfect love story for word nerds").

Rodrigo has a strong quirky visual sense of humour, art direction and craft in his films. Storytelling remains key, and his attention to detail, composition, and surroundings show through. His spots become something more than just ads, they become entertainment.