Rolling with the punches

AUCKLAND, Thursday: NZ production house Reel Factory has signed award-winning international director Lance Kelleher to its roster, exclusively representing Kelleher in New Zealand.

New Zealand-born Kelleher has spent the past 30+ years plying his trade in Australia, the UK and the US, with recent work including Westfield’s 2020 Christmas campaign, Jim Beam Global’s Double Oak campaign starring Mila Kunis, and the international launch film for Volkswagen’s Tayron.

Reel Factory director Dan Watkins said: “Lance has an incredible background in commercial directing and brings with him a wealth of experience.

“The talent, brands and creatives he has worked with are world-class and bringing him onto our roster allows us to reach new audiences.

“Rolling with the punches that 2020 threw, Kelleher spent November of last year based out of Reel Factory’s North Shore offices to remote-direct Westfield’s The Night (Way) Before Christmas.

“Lance’s reputation for pushing the limits of in-camera trickery, with sophisticated VFX and Reel Factory’s technology, make an exciting combo.”

“After spending many evenings with the team in the Factory bar solving all of the problems of the world, a partnership was born.”

Lance Kelleher said: “Upon returning to New Zealand last year I was on the hunt for a like-minded production company to build a relationship with.

“Dan & Hamish at Reel Factory were recommended to me as go-to guys with a different mindset and attitude towards innovating the industry. I instantly liked them and their setup – not to mention their arsenal of equipment.”

“We’re on a mission to build our roster of high-end commercial directors to keep up with the high calibre of creative coming from our agency and client partners. We’re always aiming to offer options for all styles or levels of production and believe Lance will be a fantastic fit for New Zealand or international brands looking to create something magical” says Watkins.

“Lance’s reputation for pushing the limits of in-camera trickery, in tandem with sophisticated VFX and Reel Factory’s passion for staying ahead of the curve with camera technology and innovation, make for an exciting combination.”

• Lance Kelleher’s reel: reelfactory.tv/lance-kelleher