)
The Shiny guide to getting signed
)
New RSA signing Somayeh - one of The Shiny Awards success stories - chats about some of her top industry tips for new directors, alongside New Business Director Mia Powell.
The Shiny Awards promotes the best new directors to the world’s best ad agencies, brands, record labels and production companies.
With the aim of connecting talented and often under-represented directors to industry giants across the globe, recent RSA signing Somayeh is just one of many Shiny success stories.
She joined us to chat about some of her top industry tips for new directors alongside Mia Powell, who got her signed to RSCG.
Ensure consistency across your reel
Mia Powell: In terms of looking at someone's reel, you want to have cohesion across it and I think that was the thing that pushed us over the edge in terms of seeing Somayeh’s potential. One of the main things I tell people when mentoring or giving feedback is to find common themes and bring your voice to the work that you create. They’re the traits that, when a rep is looking at your work, will allow them to see the consistency.
You want to be able to reaffirm time and time again that you’re great at your craft and you have something to say.
Network, network, network
MP: The hardest thing is getting your work in front of industry professionals. I think for young directors it’s super important to build a network around you. Like Somayeh, she’s gone through the Shiny Awards creating that network, building a reputation and putting herself at the forefront of conversation within the industry.
You’ve just gotta keep working, continue developing your craft and network the shit out of it.
I think you’ve just gotta keep working, continue developing your craft and network the shit out of it. There’s no good sitting in your bedroom making stuff that you never show the world, it takes a lot of strength to show people and to ask for advice.
If you ask for advice you get a job, if you ask for a job you get advice.
Somayeh: 100%. I think Shiny has been the most instrumental platform for my success. I mean, some people come up to me and say, I found you through Shiny. Even meeting Mia, you just never know who is going to be at these events. Mia doesn’t know but I really had to push myself to talk to her because I was alone at the event.
I was thinking of not even going so really do think that it’s worth that push, even if you’re a bit socially awkward like me, or you don’t feel as confident.
Credits
powered by
Above: Bonnie from Shiny interviews Somayeh and Mia Powell, New Business Director at Ridley Scott Creative Group.
Take your time
MP: Seeing Somayeh’s progress over the years and knowing when to engage her at the right time for the industry was really important.
Sometimes people run before they can walk but she'd done the right steps to get to the place she’s in now. It’s brilliant to be able to give people like Somayeh opportunities and that’s why I’m in this industry and why I align so well with the Shiny ethos.
We’re here to make a difference, it’s not just about big shiny top directors, it’s the shiny new ones I’m more interested in.
Branch out
S: Even if you’re just trying to be a director, work in a different aspect of filmmaking - it makes you a better director. It also helps you make those connections, it can be so hard to get those briefs with no other experience. It’s invaluable networking without even having to try, people become aware of you, and if you do well they trust you.
Even if you’re just trying to be a director, work in a different aspect of filmmaking.
It’s all about not being so limited. It’s great to hone one thing but definitely having one other thing outside of directing within the industry context is really imperative.
+ membership
Access the world's largest advertising database. With an intuitive toolset that helps you explore, present and collaborate more effectively.
Learn More
Above: Somayeh's Audi E-Tron spec ad.
Create your brand
S: The biggest thing for me throughout the years is learning how to market yourself. It’s something they don’t teach you at university but having a brand and developing that. Yes, it’ll take time but really try and focus on learning how to market yourself.
For me, even my email signature is a way of telling someone what I do without telling them. So if I’m getting work as an editor and that producer sees ‘Director/Editor’ under my name, I’m slowly brainwashing people into what I do. That’s where I’ve tried to hone my skills, you’re not just a director, you’re your own business person too. It’s about discovering ways to maintain relationships, and I know how difficult that can be because it is so competitive.
You’re not just a director, you’re your own business person too
If you are a bit socially awkward and you’re not the best at selling yourself, that can get in your way. With the online tools that you have, your website and social media, there’s a different way of being able to shine without feeling insecure about how you might come across.
Make the films and hone your craft, but learn how to sell them and yourself.
