In the spirit of celebrating creativity, we invite talented individuals from around the globe to delve into our Q&A on the whats and hows of their creative journey. This episode is dedicated to the Amsterdam-based director Joris Noordenbos, renowned for his distinctive dynamic style and engaging narrative techniques.
How would you describe what you do?
I think there is no single answer…Our job as directors is super varied, which is exactly why I love it.
It’s my job to sprinkle a little magic on every project: stir in some creativity and get everyone excited about what we’re creating together. I think it’s important to inspire confidence for everyone involved: client, agency and crew.
With you at the helm things are not just going to be good; they’re going to be beyond what anyone imagined, and we’re going to have a blast making it happen.
How did you get started?
I got hooked on directing back in high school, just couldn’t stop watching movies and then trying to figure out how to make my own. Soon after that I started to write, produce and direct short films. It taught me a lot on what needs to come together for a smooth production.
After that, I spent six months in New Zealand as a lighting assistant. It almost felt like being in the military. The gaffers and best boys that I worked with there were very disciplined and extremely strict on set etiquettes. I learned a ton about the tools and equipment, but also on the aesthetic part of light.
After my master degree in history, I found my way into directing full time with a production company in Amsterdam. That place was like film school on steroids for me. Projects came thick and fast and having 60 shoot days a year wasn’t out of the ordinary. As a young director it was the perfect way to build a portfolio and get the 10.000 hours under my belt.
A strength or skill you value most:
In the team I collaborate with, it’s their passion and pursuit of excellence that really counts. A DOP who’s creatively in sync with me is gold. And a grip who’s not just technically savvy but also creatively thinking outside the box? Invaluable.
The strength and skills I value most in the people I work with are the love of the craft and the strife for excellence. A DOP feels like my main creative collaborator, so I love to work with people that bring their own ideas to the project. But I also love playing around with fun rigs so a resourceful grip of whom I feel that he loves what he does and thinks out of the box is essential.
For me personally, I value my people skills. Being able to charm, diplomatically navigate client and agency relationships, and find that common ground is my secret sauce for a smooth and enjoyable production.
One of your favorite projects you’ve worked on:
The best projects combine an amazing script, people you click with and stunning locations. I mean, what’s better than shooting underneath a buzzing highway in Johannesburg or on a sunny day in Washington Sqr Park?
A good example was a project for KFC in Cape Town. A mix of studio and on-location shooting, from a KFC restaurant at night to a skate park, with all kinds of gear like steadicam, rotation rigs and drones. The agency and client were all-in on my wild ideas, which just elevated the whole experience.
