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Arts & Sciences signs director Chris Balmond
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Balmond's body of work ranges from beautifully cinematic narrative pieces to exceedingly silly comedy. But always with casting and performance at its heart.
Arts & Sciences London adds director Chris Balmond to its acclaimed roster of talent.
A versatile filmmaker, Balmond's body of work ranges from beautifully cinematic narrative pieces to exceedingly silly comedy. But always with casting and performance at its heart.
His great-grandfather built train carriages, his grandfather drove steam trains, and his father was a railway signalling engineer, so Balmond decided from a young age that the only logical succession was a career making television commercials.
Growing up in Bristol, UK, Balmond studied film at Southampton and eventually clawed his way into the hallowed halls of the BBC. There he worked for the in-house creative team at Red Bee, where he wrote and directed promos for iconic UK comedy programs including The Thick of It, Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe, Graham Norton, The Mighty Boosh, and Horrible Histories.
His viral campaigns for PG Tips and BBC Sport’s Six Nations Rugby, famously banned for its unapologetic mockery of the England Team, helped launch his commercial career. He has since directed standout work for global brands like Amazon, Guinness, Vizio, McDonald’s, Mercedes-Benz, Downy, Ford, and Virgin Media, as well as beloved UK and Irish brands including Hunky Dorys, Paddy Power, the Road Safety Authority, Aldi, and the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Balmond’s work blends practical and visual effects to craft moving, memorable tableaus, anchored by naturalistic and pitch-perfect performances from both actors and non-actors. These grounded performances are the heartbeat of his cinematic storytelling, earning him recognition by the industry’s most prestigious awards, including the Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, Shark Awards, LIAs, BTAAs, and ADC. He was also named one of Campaign’s Top 10 Directors in 2021.
“This feels like the right step forward,” remarks Balmond on joining Arts & Sciences. “Their ambition and pedigree of work really spoke to me. It’s clear they really care about the craft and celebrating each director’s unique voice. The support I’ve felt from leadership reassured me that Arts & Sciences was a perfect new home.”
James Bland, Managing Director and Partner of Arts & Sciences London, adds, “Chris has a sharp wit and a deep respect for craft. He brings humour, precision, and emotional truth together in a way that feels effortless. His films have real character, even when that character is a CGI animal, and care in every frame. We’ve admired his work for a long time, and we’re thrilled to have him join.”
