The Commercial Directors Podcast

Evan Swinehart

In this podcast we talk to commercial directors and get their thoughts on the industry but more importantly talk about their processes. We break down a commercial they have shot from pre-production through post. The CDP will give you tangible knowledge to take to your own sets.

  1. Alex Richanbach: From Fincher to Funny or Die to Fast-Paced Commercial Sets

    May 13

    Alex Richanbach: From Fincher to Funny or Die to Fast-Paced Commercial Sets

    In Episode 15, we sit down with commercial and feature director Alex Richanbach to break down his unconventional path from working under legends like David Fincher and Adam McKay to directing viral content at Funny or Die and high-volume commercial campaigns. We dive into: Building trust and chemistry with crews fast Directing comedy and letting performances breathe Managing chaos on high-pressure commercial shoots Why “fun” is actually a serious directing tool The evolving future of commercials vs. YouTube-style filmmaking Plus, Alex breaks down his Champs Sports campaign where talent dropped out two days before the shoot and how he adapted on the fly to still deliver. If you’re trying to level up as a director, this one is packed with real-world insight.

    1h 25m
  2. Oren Kaplan - Winning Pitches, Losing Jobs & The Evolution of Treatments

    Apr 7

    Oren Kaplan - Winning Pitches, Losing Jobs & The Evolution of Treatments

    Episode 14 features commercial director and Just Shoot It podcast co-host Oren Kaplan. Oren shares his journey from engineer to director, how starting a podcast opened doors to industry knowledge, and why curiosity has been one of his biggest advantages. We dig into the modern state of commercial directing, from evolving treatment trends to the increasing role of AI and what it takes to stand out when competing against top-tier directors and production companies. Oren also breaks down his Rebel Wilson PSA in detail, covering: Building ideas through constraints and budget limitationsPitching with passion (and why that matters more than polish)Designing gags, transitions, and visual continuityShooting with limited time and zero coverageLessons from post-production and VFX mistakesWe also talk about rejection, creative confidence, working with celebrity talent, and how to maintain your voice in an industry that’s constantly changing. If you’re a director, creative, or filmmaker trying to level up this one is packed with real-world insight.

    1h 26m
  3. Finding Your Niche as a Commercial Director (And Using Spec Work to Land Bigger Jobs) – Joris Noordenbos

    Mar 2

    Finding Your Niche as a Commercial Director (And Using Spec Work to Land Bigger Jobs) – Joris Noordenbos

    In Episode 13 of The Commercial Director’s Podcast, Evan sits down with Amsterdam based director Joris Noordenbos to talk about one of the most important decisions a commercial director can make: finding your niche. Joris shares his journey from in-house generalist to carving out a distinct lane in kids and food. After realizing he was losing bigger jobs because he wasn’t specialized enough, he took matters into his own hands and created high-level spec work to prove he could deliver premium cinematic food storytelling. In this episode, we cover: Why spec work is the fastest way to break the “you need the job to show the job” cycleHow to produce high-end spec without spending your own moneyUsing spec as a strategic outreach toolThe benefits (and challenges) of niching downDirecting children and creating authentic performancesKeeping your style fresh inside a defined laneManaging complex food shoots and food styling logisticsPrevis, testing, and working with international crewsA full breakdown of his Blue Band campaign blending kids + food storytellingJoris offers practical, tactical advice for directors at any stage especially those trying to level up from generalist to specialist. If you're building your reel, refining your voice, or looking to create your own opportunities instead of waiting for them, this episode delivers serious value.

    1h 29m
  4. Cameron Harris

    Jan 19

    Cameron Harris

    Navigating the Spotlight with Commercial Director Cameron Harris Commercial director Cameron Harris joins the podcast to break down what it really takes to direct high-pressure commercial work especially when celebrities are involved. With a background that spans top agencies like Saatchi & Saatchi, Clemenger BBDO, and Leo Burnett, Cameron shares how his years on the agency side shaped his directing approach and gave him a unique advantage on set. From collaborating with creatives to managing expectations with A-list talent like Martin Short, John Cena, and David Beckham, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the realities of modern commercial directing. In this episode, we cover: Making the transition from agency creative to directorHow collaboration builds trust and improves the workDirecting celebrities with confidence, preparation, and respectWhy preparation is the key to staying calm on setThe challenge of making comedy feel premium, and why brands need to fully commitThis episode is packed with practical insight for directors, creatives, and filmmakers navigating agency relationships, celebrity talent, and high-stakes production environments. 🎧 Available now wherever you listen to podcasts.

    1h 44m
  5. Scott Pugnetti

    11/25/2025

    Scott Pugnetti

    The CDP sits down with Scott Pugnetti of Equals Management to break down the international model, pitch reform, how to win (and lose) bids, and what makes a portfolio actually convert. We dig into real talk on transparency, paid pitching, global opportunities, and why your website is probably holding you back. If you’re a director building a career, this one’s essential. https://www.equalsmgmt.com/

    1h 28m
  6. Jon Schwartz

    10/13/2025

    Jon Schwartz

    This episode dives deep into director Jon Schwartz’s creative process from building iPhone animatics to crafting full 3D previs in Blender to nail complex, motion-controlled camera shots. Jon breaks down his Joybird commercial, revealing how he kept repetitive phone scenes dynamic, convinced the client to embrace kinetic motion-control cinematography, and merged practical set design with VFX for a seamless look. He shares how tools like the Milo rig can save hours on set when properly prepped, why wide lenses make small sets feel massive, and how tight collaboration between director, production designer, and agency elevates the final spot. https://itsjonschwartz.com/

    1h 4m
  7. Syra McCarthy

    09/09/2025

    Syra McCarthy

    Syra McCarthy shares how her background as an actor shapes her directing bringing empathy, clear communication, and play to fast paced commercial sets. She talks building trust with talent, running takes to find flow, and using tone references that help actors shine, https://www.syramccarthy.com/ https://www.softholdcollective.com/ https://evenodd.studio/

    1h 29m
  8. Jon Bregel

    08/26/2025

    Jon Bregel

    Jon Bregel, filmmaker, director, and coach, shares his journey from skateboarding and filming skate videos to co-founding Variable, a production company built on community and passion projects that earned 13 Vimeo Staff Picks and big-brand clients. Despite the success, burnout pushed him to leave and re-center his life, eventually moving to China where he rediscovered himself. Now coaching filmmakers, Jon emphasizes aligning careers with personal values, sustaining creativity through personal projects, and building supportive communities. He advocates for radical authenticity, warns against tying identity solely to career success, and stresses that the future of directing lies in values driven storytelling. https://jonathanbregel.com/ https://www.thenourish.community/

    1h 12m
See All (15)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

In this podcast we talk to commercial directors and get their thoughts on the industry but more importantly talk about their processes. We break down a commercial they have shot from pre-production through post. The CDP will give you tangible knowledge to take to your own sets.

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