Sam Pilling on his cinematic strategy to directing
Over the past ten years, Sam Pilling has combined a love of film with a methodical feel for the craft and has earned a position as one of the most sought-after directors in the industry. During this time he has created music videos for well-known artists such as Chaka Khan, J.Cole and DJ Shadow as well as a number of high-profile advertising campaigns for KFC, Audi and Ikea.
The common denominator of Pilling's work is its ability to create impressive cinematic moments. His stylized videos typically combine original concepts with large set builds adorned with clever visual effects. Not always destined to work behind the camera, however, he began his creative journey on the graphic design course at Central Saint Martins in London in 2006 to become a professional illustrator.
“They did something amazing, and I think more universities should do it, where we basically spent a whole semester doing a week of typography, a week of film, a week of advertising, a week of graphics, photography, illustration and this one At that time I fell in love with filming, ”he says. "With illustration you tell stories by drawing, and then suddenly it was like I could do that with a camera."
When Pilling was in his third year at CSM, he was already working for directors such as Christopher Sweeney and D.A.R.Y.L. After graduating, he sent hundreds of emails to all of the London production companies he knew and eventually got a reception job at Pulse Films.