29 October 2007
The air is abuzz with energy in the cozy office of McNamara Film Company. Since opening the doors to his new production shingle this summer, director/photographer David McNamara has been flying high, shooting eight TV and print campaigns within the past few months. Clients include Time Warner, Marathon Oil, Aetna, Massachusetts Health Reform Coalition, and the Ad Council, for which he helmed an Amber Alert PSA. McNamara is currently shooting a compelling campaign for Vanderbilt Heart Center in Nashville.
For those who know this spirited director, who has an extraordinary ability to elicit genuine performances from real people, this go-getter attitude is what defines McNamara as a person and a filmmaker. His body of work encompasses broadcast TV advertising and commercial print, as well as independent film development, internet content, design and graphic applications.
“My philosophy has always been to foster the highest creative potential, and to surround myself with talented people who share my same level of passion and inspiration,” explains McNamara. “McNamara Film Company was founded on the premise that a unified voice between the agency, production team and director makes for the most successful work. We want to be the ‘go-to’ production company for clients who want that kind of collaboration.”
Heading the company with McNamara is executive producer Michael Garza, a long-time collaborator with notable production credits in commercials, features and independent films. Together, McNamara and Garza are an explosive production tour de force. Their meticulous hands-on approach and care with each project have earned them a loyal and dedicated network of production talent around the globe.
“We’re a company that’s very focused on our clients and fostering the talent of our director,” adds Garza. “There’s never a dull moment in our office or in our creative process. It’s a constant flow of ideas and discussion between David and me. We’ve created an open and inviting atmosphere for our selves and our creative partners, which has been key to spawning our successful collaborations and lasting relationships.”
McNamara began his career as a still photographer, and quickly grew to an in-house director for commercial production at DDB/NY. After winning a Clio for his Martell Cognac campaign and two Addys for his Mobil Oil and Bermuda Shorts campaigns, he formed production company Fly Films where he amassed a large body of work for advertisers such as HBO, ESPN, Reebok, GE, Southwest Airlines and Apple Computers.
McNamara’s ability to direct real people caught the attention of Maysles Films, which invited him to head up its Maysles Shorts Division. During his tenure, McNamara directed spots and long-format films for Wal-Mart, General Motors, Citibank, AT&T, Verizon, Rolex, and CBS, as well as award-winning public service work for the Maryland Dept of Health, Anti-Smoking Campaign, and American Red Cross. His celebrity talent includes Andy Warhol, Demi Moore, Joe Montana, Jeff Gordon, Grant Hill, Cindy Crawford and the Duchess of York, among many others.
In addition to his successful commercial career, McNamara has directed two short films, Limbo, which he also wrote, and The Collector. Limbo won at the Malibu Film Festival and Garden State Film Festival for Best Cinematography, Best Direction and Best Picture. He is currently developing Limbo into a full-length feature film.
McNamara has several new projects in the works, but don’t expect him to slow down any time soon. With this kind of focused energy, intimate environment and unstoppable momentum, the company will undoubtedly attract attention from up-and-coming and established directors alike.
“We thrive on telling memorable stories regardless of the medium or subject matter,” comments McNamara. “For me, it’s about finding the humanity in each story – giving voice to the people and the relationships. I believe McNamara Film Company is doing so well because of this type of care we put into our work. We plan on applying this same attention to building our roster – bringing in other directors and nurturing them into great talent.”
“David knows how to let the heart shine through his projects in a powerful and visual way,” concludes Garza. “And he reaches out on a very personal level as well. How else can you explain his cadre of collaborators and crews around the world, many of whom have more than a decade-long history of working with him? This says a lot about what kind of person and visionary he really is. At McNamara Film Company, we are serious about our business, but we know how to have fun while doing it.
*Photographer: Teddy Maki
