Bicoastal creative content company Chromista has added two comedy directors--Andrew DeYoung and Jess Brunetto---for commercial representation in the U.S. Both are known for their high-profile work in episodic comedy--DeYoung as a director, Brunetto as an Emmy-nominated editor. This marks the first directorial representation for DeYoung and Brunetto in the advertising market.

DeYoung is a writer and director who has garnered acclaim for his television and short-form work. He has directed multiple episodes across several seasons of the series Pen15, High Fidelity, Shrill, Dave, Man Seeking Woman, The Other Two, Teenage Bounty Hunters and The Baby-Sitters Club. His shorts have been Vimeo Staff Picks on six occasions, and have amassed significant press attention and a dedicated online following. He most recently directed the first three episodes of season 3 of Miracle Workers as well as the season finale of the HBO Max series Our Flag Means Death, executive produced by Taika Waititi. DeYoung also directed two episodes of I Love That For You, a new Showtime comedy inspired by true events, starring Vanessa Bayer, Molly Shannon, and Jenifer Lewis, which premiered on April 29.

DeYoung noted that the first DVD he ever purchased was π (Pi) directed by Darren Aronofsky who is a founder of Chromista. DeYoung shared, “Darren has remained one of my biggest filmmaking influences ever since. I am beyond thrilled to join his roster and bring my experience in television and shorts to the advertising world with the help of the exceptional Chromista team.” 

Brunetto is a self-proclaimed queer comedy witch, as well as an award-winning writer and editor-turned-director. Brunetto’s film work has screened at Cannes, Venice, and Sundance. Brunetto’s expertise lies in her ability to blend humor and heart into visually and emotionally compelling stories. After receiving a BFA from the SUNY Purchase Film Conservatory, she started her career in comedy by editing for documentary director Michael Moore. Her television credits as an editor include Amazon’s reboot of A League Of Their Own, as well as Broad City, Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens, Miracle Workers and Jordan Peele’s The Last O.G.  Last year Brunetto was nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series category on the strength of the “There Is No Line” episode of Hacks. Sisters, her directorial debut short, premiered at SXSW and went on to win Best Drama at the Female Voices Rock Film Festival. Sisters is currently playing at festivals around the world. 

“Adina [Birnbaum, an EP at Chromista] and I instantly connected over our passion to create cinematic female comedy content,” said Brunetto. “As a director entering the commercial space, Chromista’s support of my vision is a dream come true. I’m honored to be part of this select group of talented filmmakers.”

Birnbaum said, “For years, both Jess and Andy have been leading voices in defining and shaping comedy in episodic. Jess has an effortless ability to find the funny in the ordinary and create authentic, relatable human experiences. Andy is a natural storyteller who pulls the viewer in and already has a dedicated fan base.”