Flying Fish bolsters roster with new comedy directors Jesse James McElroy + Sam Kristofski
Flying Fish has bolstered its roster with the additions of comedy directors Jesse James McElroy and Sam Kristofski. Not to be confused with a train robbing outlaw or an intergalactic spaceman. These guys are legit.
When tackled with writing a funny, witty, charming, off the cuff, short, three to four sentence creative bio that can be used for any purpose, Flying Fish were stifled with fear. They got writer’s block, amnesia was setting in fast, then came panic.
Apparently it should be interesting and highlight and identify their best qualities. There are many different ways in which such a creative bio can be used and the importance of this is between winning or losing a job. Pressure is on, stakes are high.
One way would be for Flying Fish to engage with their good friends at ChatGPT to spurt out some quick fire, funny, witty, charming, off the cuff, short, rapid intel on these two. Instead they thought they would go the old fashioned route and put pen to paper.
McElroy wanted Flying Fish to share that he would chance to shoot everything in the back lot of a Clint Eastwood film set, but can be flexible. And yes they did ask to see his driver’s license to prove his self acclaimed moniker. Apparently it’s legit and he really is Clint Eastwood’s adopted son. Clint doesn’t know this yet, and is not long for this world so McElroy would prefer to keep it under wraps.
Starting his career out as an editor at an ad agency which ignited his real passion, so he decided to throw in the Apple C, Apple V for some action and cut.
Since leaving it all on the cutting room floor, McElroy has since put his comedic directing stamp on multiple big brand campaigns and donning the steps of many award shows.
Go where you’re lookin’, and look where you’re goin’.
McElroy’s comedy spot for Combantrin was celebrated with a Cannes Lion and handpicked by Vice Magazine as one of the “Best Commercials” for the year. It does make you think, and itch a little…he has directed commercials all over the world for international clients including Kellogg’s, Volkswagen, MasterCard and Unilever, Great Southern Bank, Philo, Catch, Dabble and Bankwest.
Sam Kristofski, which means energy, stimulator; claims he inspired the ‘bone scene’ from Space Odyssey, where the camera follows the bone as it spins through the air, then the shot cuts to a satellite in space. It’s quite possibly cinema’s most iconic match cut. Of course, Flying Fish was massively impressed by this accolade. Drawing inspiration from elements of periodic sci-fi, meshed with his own style and contemporary fictional hues to complete the art of his work he really is rather unique of a Moon Watcher. There’s contrast and impeccable details in everything he does. (What does that really even mean?)
Something that’s actually true though, when Kristofski was 12 he did shoot “Aliens Vs Cowboys” 11 years before “Aliens Vs Cowboys” (2011) dropped. Literally the same plot, only his was stop-motion Lego mini figures and went for an excruciating 30 mins. Took him a whole month and he honestly could have sworn he invented stop motion.
Kristofski will bring his interpretation of an idea to the forefront of stylised, heightened and considered filmmaking with every project. (Let’s hope so!)
Kristofski is otherwise represented by Iconoclast for further global representation and has won an Emmy for his LA Kings spot in 2019. Having directed commercials for Coca-Cola, Maison Margiela, Uniqlo, Visa, Pepsi, Parrotdog Beer, Skinny, Mentos, Allbirds, The Louvre and Global Work Japan.
But look, instead of asking ChatGPT what they think, check it out for yourselves:
View Jesse James McElroy’s reel
Says Sam Attenborough, EP, Flying Fish: “As well as tapping into the physical space between galaxies, Sam fills a unique space within the Fish roster as he appears both as a director and also photographer on Fanclub. Being able to offer up his distinctive and visual aesthetic is pretty ace.
“We have admired this notorious chap’s work for a while and we are stoked to represent Jesse James in the comedy and performance space. He is so much more than a bank robbing outlaw.
Says James Moore, MD, Fish Group: “His background and experience in editing has certainly helped shape and define his superlative comedy chops.”
1 Comment
YES JJ!