Producer Heather Heller and director Francis Lawrence, the award-winning duo behind some of the most arresting commercials and music videos of the past two decades, have launched VANDAL, a media production boutique creating premium content across all platforms.
VANDAL represents established spot helmers alongside directors at the top of their game in features, television, and photography, navigating their transition into spot work. The company also develops young music video directors and content creators, guiding them toward broader recognition and opportunity.
“After two decades of line producing, it was time to open my own shop,” said Heller, whose numerous awards include a Grammy for producing Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance music video – directed by Lawrence – which garnered a dozen other top honors, including Billboard’s Video of the Decade.
“The amalgamation of film and photography has risen to a highly desirable production standard in the beauty and fashion business. Having spent most of my career with hybrid directors, that is the first place my mind went as far as an ethos for the VANDAL brand.”
While the company’s official launch was delayed somewhat by the challenges of COVID19, VANDAL had the opportunity to produce several initial projects, including Estée Lauder (directed by Thibaut), Jackson Wang Vivo (directed by Lawrence), the music video for Joji and Diplo’s “Daylight” (directed by Osegbu), and L’Oréal Wow with Viola Davis, Amber Heard and Hellen Mirren (directed by Hoelck).
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Heller recently produced digital campaigns for Tiffany and Co. with Elle Fanning, Cartier with Annabelle Wallis and YSL Cosmetics with Zoe Kravitz, reinforcing her position at the forefront of creative advertising and film production for beauty and luxury brands.
Of VANDAL’s diverse roster, she explained, “The amalgamation of film and photography has risen to a highly desirable production standard in the beauty and fashion business. Having spent most of my career with hybrid directors, that is the first place my mind went as far as an ethos for the VANDAL brand.”
“I opened VANDAL with my partner Heather Heller not only as a vehicle to produce and direct commercials for myself, but also to build a company that promotes emerging talent while shepherding the careers of established helmers who can deliver the kind of quality work that we have become known for since 1997,” said Lawrence. “Our aim to create a boutique roster that is limited in size but not in scope.”
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Heller noted that VANDAL’s status as a female led company is “something that’s become more common in the last 5 years, but certainly was not always the case – so I am grateful to be living in a time when it is not only recognized but celebrated.”
The company also develops young music video directors and content creators, guiding them toward broader recognition and opportunity.
In addition to Lawrence, the VANDAL roster comprises director/screenwriter Scott Cooper, director/photographer Sharif Hamza, director Michael Haussman, director/photographer Patrick Hoelck, director/photographer Munachi Osegbu, multi-hyphenate Steve Pink, director/photographer Eugenio Recuenco, directing duo SKNX.TV, director/dp Jesse Salto, writer/director Gene Stupnitsky, director Eli Sverdlov, and director Jean-Claude Thibaut.
Reel 360 wishes Heather and Francis the best of luck in their new venture.
SOURCE: VANDAL
