Rupert Sanders

Rupert Sanders’ unique balance of epic vision and immaculate detail has made him one of the most sought-after, decorated commercial directors in the business. Shortly after joining MJZ in 2005, Sanders directed the epic commercial “Joy,” which launched Xbox 360. The visually stunning story was told with vast visual sophistication and a fair amount of movie magic, all of which he achieved on camera. Later that year, Sanders received a Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for “Joy” and the Adidas commercial “Made to Perfection.” The nomination is an honor for any director, especially for one still so early in his career.

In 2008, Sanders followed up this success by sweeping the Clio Awards, the Andy Awards, the Addy Awards, the AICP Awards and the D&AD Awards, as well as awards at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for his Halo 3 commercials and work for Puma, Nike, Nokia, Sears and Toyota. In addition to bringing home an Integrated Grand Prix Award and a Grand Prix Film Award at Cannes Lions for his Halo 3 “Believe” diorama commercial, the spot was named one of Boards magazine’s Top 10 Spots of the Decade. The Visual Effects Society (VES) noticed Sanders’ artful evolution into computer-generated effects and honored production company New Deal Studios with VES Award nomination for Outstanding Models or Miniatures in a Broadcast Program or Commercial for the Halo 3 diorama. That same year, his work on Travelers Insurance’s “Delivery,” Nike Jordan Brand’s “Clock Tower” and Monster.com’s “Legs” garnered him his second nomination for the coveted DGA Award.

In 2009, Sanders took on the ambitious challenge of achieving a one-shot take, projection dance extravaganza for Puma’s “L.I.F.T.” commercial. He achieved the theatrical installationlike light show entirely on camera, a feat involving 12 Wi-Fi-linked 10,000 and 5,500 lumen front-screen projectors that cast panoramas onto every possible surface of a constructed set, without crossing beams or hitting the dancers. The various images had to synchronize with one another, as well as the music and the narrative choreography. To say the job had a lot of moving parts is an understatement. That same year, he helmed “The Spark” for Adidas, an epic commercial shot in a pulp-noir graphic-novel style, and received an AICP award for Nike Jordan Brand’s “Field Generals.” Sanders also received a third DGA Award nomination.

In 2010, Sanders’ collaboration with Xbox for Halo 3: ODST’s “The Life,” which captures, with subjective intensity, the life of a soldier from being enlistment to training to combat, won four AICP Awards and four Clios. At the 2010 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, “The Life” won a Gold Lion for Cinematography, a Silver Lion for Direction and a Bronze Lion in the category of Entertainment and Leisure, and it was also shortlisted for Best Use of Music and Production Design. Sanders also won a Bronze Lion for Editing for Nike Jordan Brand’s “Break to Build/Slap” spot and his spot “Captivity” for Activision’s X-Men: Origins was shortlisted in the editing category.

Some directors bring their vivid, creative imaginations to their work, while others are relied upon for their meticulous preparation and to ensure that large-scale projects come in on time and on budget. Sanders is the type of director who does both. His even-keeled competence on set, strong writing and narrative skills, and his ability to develop character and story allow him to take on such creatively ambitious projects. Every spot through the arc of his career reflects an unusual balance of big, bold ideas and rich, complex compositions with subtle textures, graphic details and touches of humor. But a genuine, unpretentious humanity is always at the core of his work.

Universal Pictures