LOS ANGELES, CA, October 19, 2009 - Directors Rob Bindler and Michael Sugarman have signed with Savant Film for exclusive US spot representation. Bindler comes over from nonfiction unlimited, while Sugarman was previously represented by Rabbit.

Rob Bindler

Since the launch of his career with the quirky and engaging documentary "Hands On A Hard Body," Rob Bindler has garnered acclaim for a host of spot work, including projects for Coke, Nokia, Texas Lotto, Carefirst/Blue Cross, and VISA/NFL.

"I was drawn to Savant because they are a nimble and well-rounded production company," said Bindler of the move. "They can handle big productions and the more rough and tumble projects. (Partner/EPs) Jamie (Miller) and Joby (Barnhart) are great guys you want to hang out and work with, and they've cultivated a roster of directors doing distinctive work."

Bindler said that, while he became known very early on for documentaries, his approach to spotmaking has always been driven by story, character, and emotional truths rather than "reality." "My background is varied, from graphic design to dramatic writing," he said, adding that "Hands On A Hard Body" began as research for a narrative feature. "The research turned into a doc, which turned into a career." 

The combination of a strong visual sense and the pursuit of truth is evident in the breadth of Bindler's work. His Coke campaign (Wieden+Kennedy, Portland) for example, ranges in tone from heartfelt to quirky; Carefirst/Blue Cross ( Arnold Worldwide) is straight-forward documentary spotmaking with real people speaking candidly; his 10-spot VISA/NFL campaign ( BBDO) is more visual, visceral, and humorous; and his Nokia work is distinguished by what might be described as "stylized reality."

"Authenticity can come from anywhere, whether it's real people, or an actor, with - or without - a script." He pointed out that many agencies have come to him not for docu-style projects per se, but because "they appreciate that documentary work is very mercurial and nuanced. The margin of error is narrow to get the right performance."

Michael Sugarman

A Harvard grad from Brookline, MA, Michael Sugarman was always interested in film, something his staid and cautious family viewed as a "ridiculous career." After doing his time in finance in NYC, the matter was settled. "It was instructive in that I realized finance wasn't what I wanted to do." Sugarman pursued an MFA at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where he directed his first spot, a spec for Coke.

Titled "Awakenings," the ad depicts a catatonic ward in which the patients mysteriously perk up around Coca-Cola. "It's important to be comfortable with your point of view," Sugarman said of the spot. "I had just re-watched the film with Robert De Niro and Robin Williams, and there's something absurd about the wheelchair ball game. I like absurd things that are kind of plausible."

"Awakenings" found its way to the Cannes Young Directors showcase, where it took top honors. Once Sugarman had completed his spec reel, he signed with Rabbit.

Sugarman's short films and his commercials for Nike, Carolinas Recycling, and PDFA have been honored in several international festivals and competitions. He has been featured as a new director in Shots magazine, and other honors include the Cannes Lions shortlist, the Anvil award, and 1st Prize at the Viral Film Festival in New York.

"I'm attracted to the shadowy side of things and the darker side of humor," said Sugarman. "A spot is so much funnier if you aren't sure something is a joke. The moment you start winking at the audience its just not as funny. So I like to play with the viewer's expectations."

"Jamie and Joby have great taste," Sugarman said of his decision to join Savant Film. "It is as important for the production company to have good taste as it is for the director. Agencies come to you for your artistic sensibility, something that is born out in their roster, and I'm proud to be a part of it."

Sugarman is currently completing a spot for Land's End, and is at work on a secretive Web project involving "puppets you've likely heard of."