Douglas Avery, an accomplished commercial director known for his arresting visuals and affinity for capturing authentic performances, passed away last week (10/16) at his home in Los Angeles, after a multi-year battle with cancer. He was 54.
RSA Films U.S. president Luke Ricci, speaking on behalf of the company which was Avery’s commercial home, said: “We extend our deepest sympathies to Douglas’ family, his wife Pascha and children, Dalton and Lily. Myself and our team at RSA were lucky to work with Douglas and become his friends. He was a kind and thoughtful person who loved his family and friends very much. He had a remarkable talent, curiosity and passion for visual storytelling. His taste was impeccable; and reflected in his work with complex emotional landscapes, and an eye for beautiful composition with a rugged edge. Douglas also had a wicked sense of humor. We will miss him very much.”
Avery grew up in Boston, and began his career in New York as a photographer working with Richard Avedon, Steven Klein, Albert Watson and Annie Liebovitz. He also lived for a year in Japan, then went on to work in London and Paris as a fashion photographer for ID, The Face and Dazed & Confused. He left the fashion industry to pursue his affinity for narrative. His second short film–Hitch–was selected for Saatchi & Saatchi’s New Directors Showcase at Cannes. He followed this up with a Levi’s campaign for BBH London which won him Best New Director at the British Arrows. A year later he won a Clio Award for Direction for an Altoids commercial. And more accolades came with his music video for Pepe Deluxe, “Salami Fever,” which Bizarre Magazine named “Video of the Decade.”
Avery’s talent for gripping performances, cinematic visuals and compelling storytelling also shines in his recent work for Woody Creek Distillers campaign, with William H. Macy delivering his eccentric cool for the brand he is a partner in; and AXA’s “Kathmandu,” a candid portrayal of a heart wrenching true story from 2015’s devastating earthquake in Nepal.
In lieu of flowers, Avery’s family requests that donations be made to Stand Up To Cancer.
