On My Radar: Cameron Harris
Gravy Films director Cameron Harris likes the human touch when it comes to advertising, and compares the modes of transport in Dumb and Dumber and Citizen Kane, as he reveals what's on his creative radar.
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What’s the most creative advertising idea you’ve seen recently?
Anything that’s not AI. Even the shitty ad for a hairdresser in a free local newspaper, or a mattress store commercial featuring an overexcited owner. Human-made! Not spat out by some cold, dead machine.
What website(s) do you use most regularly?
HowtolearnAI.com
What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought?
AirPod Pros. Not the amateur ones. Someone told me you could use your voice to text while grocery shopping, and I was all in. “Hey Siri, text my wife and ask if we’re out of lemons.” The best part is Siri’s monotone reply in your ear, “How the hell would I know?”
What product could you not live without?
Something that takes the stress away and doesn’t add to it. Like a gummy.
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What’s the best film you’ve seen over the last year?
Everything is Illuminated, by Liev Schreiber. Love that little film. We watched it with the kids to show them where my wife grew up, in Ukraine. Sending all love and support to the amazing filmmaking community there — Ukraine is one of the most innovative and creative countries in the world. Slava Ukraini!
What film do you think everyone should have seen?
Dumb and Dumber. It’s way more fun than Citizen Kane. A furry dog van easily trumps a silly little sled.
What’s your preferred social media platform?
Reddit. Instagram. Either of them are great for finding amazing stuff and feeling miserable.
What’s your favourite TV show?
Taskmaster. The original British version and the Kiwi version are great. Such an incredible concept. [Comedian] Sam Campbell was amazing in the previous season.
What’s your favourite podcast?
What show/exhibition has most inspired you recently?
The Traveler, in Orlando Airport. I’ve only seen it twice but it makes me laugh. It’s a hyper-realistic sculpture of a dude stuck at the airport since the ‘80s. Displayed right next to the baggage carousels. A moment in time frozen in a glass box. I feel his exhausted vibe.
If you could only listen to one music artist from now on, who would it be?
Bob Marley. Because I’d be sad I couldn’t listen to anyone else, and he’d cheer me up. His music is connected to so many beautiful moments in my life.
If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be?
Triple bids.
Who or what has most influenced your career?
When I was a creative, the CEO of an agency once yelled at me for thinking everything was a joke. He taught me that everything should be deeply serious and not fun at all. I think we were working on a pitch for a snack brand at the time. We didn’t win.
Tell us one thing about yourself that most people won’t know.
When I was a teenager, I worked in a factory in Tianjin, China.
