Award-Winning Music Video Director Who Recently Relocated to Nashville Focuses on Ad Work

Pogo Pictures has signed director Ryan Smith for representation for commercials in the Southeast. Smith, who initially gained prominence through his work in music videos for such artists as Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, Bo Bice and Eminem, has recently made a successful transition to commercials with credits including Bud Light and Goody’s, as well as promo spots for the TLC series L.A. Ink. Last year, Smith moved from Los Angeles to Nashville and has made the Southeast a priority of his advertising career.
Pogo Pictures founder Steve Colby said that Smith’s skill in visual storytelling and affinity for the youth market suggest a bright future for the director in commercials. “Ryan has a passion for what he does. He has a creative eye and a youth-oriented edge,” Colby said. “He brings music video talent and vision to the commercial world. He’s also in sync with what Pogo Pictures is all about-very little ego and a commitment to do great work.” Colby added that Smith makes a good complement to the other directors on the Pogo roster, who include Angel Traverso, Zach Freyer and himself.

Pogo Pictures executive producer Lesley Harris said that she was impressed with Smith’s enthusiasm and his maturity and polished skills as a filmmaker. “He is a lot of fun and anxious to take advantage of new opportunities,” she noted. “We think that a lot of agencies will be excited by the youthful, edgy style of his work.”

Even by the standards of the music video industry, Smith got off to an early start in his directing career. He was just 20 years old when he directed his first video, Can’t Give It Up, for multi-platinum selling Bone Thugs N’ Harmony. Over the course of the next decade, he directed scores of videos for many top rock, hip hop and pop acts, including 12 videos that reached number 1 on MTV’s popular countdown series TRL. His video The Anthem for Good Charlotte was arguably his most successful. It was the number 1, most requested video on MTV in 2003 and also earned Best Rock Video at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards, Japan, and People’s Choice at the MuchMusic Video Awards.

While continuing to enjoy music videos, Smith began making a concerted effort to crossover to spot work two years ago. He directed a series of spec spots that helped him land his first commercial contract with bi-coastal Crossroads Films. His first broadcast spot was Frisky Bear for Bud Light, about a man who is mistaken for a grizzly, which demonstrated his skill in comedy and working with actors. He followed that with promo campaign for the television series L.A. Ink that drew considerable praise for its lush visuals. His most recent project was a campaign for Goody’s featuring notable actress Ashley Judd.

“Commercials have always been my passion,” said Smith. “I have always set the bar high and taken a commercial approach with my music videos; the look, the color, the framing all have a commercial perspective. If you take the artist out of any of my videos, it could easily be used as a commercial for a product.”
Smith counts among his influences Samuel Bayer and Kevin Kerslake, who were visual pioneers in music videos in the ‘90s. “Color and visually rich film are predominant in my work,” Smith stated. “I know how to use art direction, wardrobe, framing and lighting to get the look I want,” he said. “Being a photographer has helped me to think like a D.P. and that has made my direction more precise.”

Pogo Pictures is located at 621 North Avenue NE, Suite C-150, Atlanta, Georgia 30308. For more information, call (404) 892-9490 or visit www.pogopictures.com.