Greatguns:usa has signed directors Andy Morahan and Jonty Toosey for representation in North America and the U.S., respectively. (Toosey is repped in Canada by Partners‘/Toronto.) Both directors continue to be handled in Europe by U.K. shop Bikini Films, which Morahan formed with executive producer Kate Elson in 2002.
Morahan comes aboard the Venice-based greatguns:usa at a juncture when he is committed to a schedule more accommodating to American ad assignments, particularly beauty/fashion and storytelling fare. In recent years his focus has been on European ad work via Bikini, and select long-form projects. On the latter score, he wrapped the soccer film Goal 3, which is slated for worldwide release this summer. He also directed screen content for George Michael’s recent tour and shot concert footage which is being fashioned into a film for limited theatrical release.
Morahan made his first directorial mark in the music video arena, getting known stateside through RSA/Black Dog and the now defunct Propaganda Films. He helmed clips for such artists as Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, Michael Jackson, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Tears for Fears and Pet Shop Boys. Morahan’s work included winning MTV Awards for best director on the strength of George Michael’s “Father Figure” and best video for Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain.”
On the commercialmaking front, Morahan is no stranger to the greatguns brand. When he diversified years back into spot directing, he made a major splash with a lauded Guess? Jeans ad featuring Juliette Lewis and Harry Dean Stanton. The job was produced by Great Guns, London, teaming Morahan with the production house’s managing director Laura Gregory.
Recently that professional relationship with Gregory was rekindled when Bikini Films moved into the Great Guns building in London. Though the two are separate companies, they started to share a rep and some other resources. Thus when Morahan began contemplating a U.S. affiliation, Gregory turned him onto greatguns:usa, introducing him to stateside managing partner/exec producer Tom Korsan. Morahan met and felt an affinity for Korsan, leading to the director’s decision to join greatguns:usa.
Over the years, Morahan’s body of spotwork includes efforts for such clients as Ford, Carling, Lynx, Bacardi, Barclays, Vodafone, Volkswagen and Canon. He recently wrapped a Toyota Prius spot featuring Leonardo Di Caprio for the Japanese ad market. Prior to Bikini, Morahan was handled in the U.K. by The Paul Weiland Film Company followed by the now former Harry Nash. Morahan’s last stateside affiliation was with independent rep Sandi Mollod.
Jonty Toosey Meanwhile greatguns:usa is the first stateside roost for Toosey. He began his directorial career in the U.K., making TV promos and IDs for digital television and then for BBC creative services.
Toosey joined Bikini three years ago and has done a diverse mix of work spanning TV and viral commercials, as well as longer form branded entertainment.
Toosey’s credits include spots for such clients as Sony PS3, Trident, MTV, and Xbox in Europe. He directed the “Microwaves” Christmas card for agency AKQA, which scored a Silver Pencil at this year’s One Show and was recently shortlisted at Cannes. Toosey has also helmed a smattering of work for Canadian agencies, including comedic Pizza Pops fare.
On the alluded to branded entertainment front, Toosey directed and co-wrote episodes of a comedy series titled Ugly Billy for hair grooming products company BaByliss.
He’s looking for greatguns to open up opportunities for him in the American ad market spanning broadcast and viral commercials, as well as longer form branded content across different media.
