Great Guns, the reputed award-winning global production company, has signed commercial director and recent Cannes Lions winner Charley Stadler to its roster for representation in the UK, USA, Middle East and Asia.
Describing filmmaking as his life’s playground, Charley’s career so far has culminated in over 400 commercials that see him cover all genres, showcasing his extraordinary versatility as a director. He delivers comedy, horror, drama and action, winning the most prized awards along the way.
Leading the wave of virtual production, he is credited to be one of the first directors to shoot at Europe’s most advanced virtual production studio, the Hyperbowl.
Charley is known for adding an unusual flavour to his commercial ideas for global brands including Microsoft, Heineken, Vodafone, McDonald’s, adidas, Mercedes, Garnier, and Ikea. Most recently, his work for BRLO ‘Drink Naked’ earned him a silver Cannes Lions and Berlin Commercial Awards shortlist - on top of a D&AD Wood Pencil and silver Clio.
With an eye for drumming up viral hype for brands, with films like his hilarious spots for Doggy Dog pet food, Charley has further honed his talents directing celebrities including FC Bayern legends Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer, and Oliver Kahn, Dortmund`s Marco Reuss, as well as owner of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team, Toto Wolff.
Charley also directed the feature film ‘Dead Fish’, starring Gary Oldman and Robert Carlyle, and has worked with Oscar-winning actors Sir Sean Connery, Sharon Stone, and Cuba Gooding Jr.
The diversity of Charley’s portfolio has earned him more than 200 international directing awards at the likes of Cannes Lions, Epica, ADC, Arab Film Festival, Bessie, ICAD, Effie, LIA, Golden Drum, and New York Festivals, among others. He has additionally been listed among the 50 top commercial directors of all time by Filestage.
Charley Stadler comments, “It’s been a while since I`ve had representation in the UK and the US. I`ve lived in both countries and love their output in terms of creativity, mindset, humour and storytelling. So, for me, it was a no-brainer when Kojo (Abban, producer at Great Guns) reached out to me, and I got to chat to the Great Guns EPs in London, Los Angeles and Asia. I am flattered to be collaborating with such a cool, well-known brand such as Great Guns.”
“Charley is a whirlwind, he doesn’t understand the words we can’t do that,” says Laura Gregory, CEO and founder of Great Guns. “He pushes for creativity with his unique brand of humour and drama and is a trusted partner to many brands. That’s an important asset to have as we navigate the new world.”
Michel Waxman, Managing EP of Great Guns in the US, adds, “Charley is an ideal partner for clients hoping to stand out and make an impact! His expertise and fearlessness allows him to deconstruct comedy, narrative and tech to build back a stronger unique voice that never holds back!”
