real world content, by real world creators

Taylor Garrett studied advertising and film at BYU and is a recent graduate of their highly acclaimed filmmakers program. He embraces his Hispanic heritage and strives to showcase it through his work. He has an authentic perspective and voice that shines through in his stories. As a director/DP, his work is cinematic, and he is adept at capturing human experience and emotion.

Juliana and Nicola Giraffe have worked with musicians, record labels and fashion brands to create visually striking and unique commercial content. They are involved in every aspect of the creative process—from storyboards to costume/set design/fabrication to postproduction and editing—and develop a profound connection with their work and the worlds they create. Together they created Giraffe Studios, an immersive, full-service in-house studio.

Christopher Guerrero is a multi-award-winning Latinx filmmaker who infuses comedy and drama with a socially conscious edge. Armed with an MFA from USC (where he now teaches directing), he lives and breathes authentic storytelling. His work at BuzzFeed, Funny or Die, Super Deluxe, Seven Bucks Productions and Viacom has garnered billions of views, and his short films have screened at hundreds of festivals. In commercials, he has worked with top brands like GEICO, Kroger, Sony, Twix, Grubhub, Netflix, Post Consumer Brands, T-Mobile and Disney.

Kadri Koop is an Estonian DP/director with a background in documentary filmmaking. She loves to work at the intersection of documentary and fiction, often fusing the two sensibilities in her approach to filmmaking. Most recently, Kadri shot the documentary short On the Line: The Richard Williams Story, which is premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Lamont Lamar is a storyteller who explores the real untold stories within queer and BIPOC communities through film. Inspired by his East Coast roots, Lamont has become a cultivating director whose attention to detail and ability to evoke authentic emotion have led to him becoming a voice for the voiceless. He has an innate desire to use the visual arts to tell intentional and meaningful stories while blending culture and creativity with a focus on humanity and social justice.

Shadae Lamar Smith is an American British filmmaker who combines movement with his own edgy style to create beautiful visual work. As a creative director for Grammy Award–winning artist and entrepreneur will.i.am, Shadae has directed numerous music videos as well as original spots for his brand i.am+. Shadae has a background in theater and dance, which is clearly shown in his music videos for the Black Eyed Peas, Nicole Scherzinger, Slick Rick, India Love, Lady Leshurr, Ms Banks and Lioness.

Pete Lee has never been known to stay in one lane. He’s a writer and a director; he makes short films and stylish music videos; and he’s also a food photographer who specializes in cookbooks. His aesthetic is bold and polished with a strong cinematic quality. His short film Don’t Be a Hero premiered as an official selection at 2018’s Sundance Film Festival. Pete most recently worked with Boots Riley on his Amazon series, I’m a Virgo.

Aisha Schliessler is a third-generation filmmaker. Growing up in an artist-filled family, she knew early on that film would be her path. She has a polished cinematic style, and her work is always visual and vivid. Aisha deeply connects with her talent and excels at pulling emotional performances from her actors. She has worked across a wide range of projects, including short films, music videos and commercials.

Shaandiin Tome just won Best Short Doc at SXSW for "Long Line of Ladies." Her breakout, award-winning short film Mud (Hashtł’ishnii) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018. Her cross-cultural experiences allow her to capture untold stories about the indigenous community, both as a director and as a cinematographer. She brings powerful imagery in convergence with real stories that illustrate her perspective as a Diné woman.

Carly Usdin is an LA-based filmmaker who specializes in comedy. They got their start in network promos creating award-winning campaigns for RuPaul’s Drag Race. Additionally, they’ve done short-form digital content as well as several graphic novels and a feature film. Carly’s work combines heightened imagery with a comedic sensibility, all through a queer, trans lens. Carly wants people who haven’t seen themselves on-screen to feel seen and valued.

Christina Xing’s gift for creating content that goes viral runs deep. Through her work, she colorfully captures the human experience from a genuine perspective. Her work spans both the narrative space and the branded space, having grabbed the attention of clients such as Tinder, Snapchat, Crayola and Vaseline. She has worked with major musicians such as Hayley Williams, Courtney Barnett and K.Flay, along with every major record label.