Brendan Canty: Storytelling Across Hemispheres
Brendan Canty splits his time across New Zealand and Ireland, and is represented by Film Construction within the APAC region.
He shot to success after directing Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” music video, which arguably brought both Brendan and Hozier into the limelight. From then on, he has remained a director to look out for.
Known for directing visually stunning music videos, Brendan has transported his skills into the commercial sector. He has worked on brand campaigns for the likes of Budweiser and Adidas. Most notably, directing the Adidas All Blacks commercial for the Rugby World Cup, which oozed with pride for the sport and for the nation.
Brendan’s first short film, “For you” was filmed entirely in Cork, Ireland and starred Barry Keoghan. “For You” won a Kinsale Shark and was nominated for an IFTA. He is currently in the final stages of postproduction for his debut feature, ‘Christy’, in association with BBC films.
Brendan has been described as “a breath of fresh air, and a reminder of why we do what we do,” by those at Film Construction. He is a ‘natural storyteller and an innately adventurous soul,” with an ability to capture the beauty in nature and the human experience.
Brendan spoke with LBB’s Casey Martin about his creative path and the village it takes to create a film.
LBB> What were you like growing up? Have you always been creative?
Brendan> I was a bit of a goofy kid that was obsessed with football. I was always bringing people together and setting up tournaments on the green. My mother would say that’s still my biggest gift - connecting people together, and getting them excited about projects. I was creative in those types of ways. My mum was an artist, so I was always around art, but definitely the more artistic side of creativity would have come a bit later into my teenage years.
LBB> How would you define your directorial style?
Brendan> I would describe my style as being empathetic and visually absorbing, with authenticity being at the core of everything. Someone once described my work as being “small stories with a big heart” and I think that really sums it up.
LBB> What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Brendan> What comes to mind wasn’t direct advice, it was an interview I read with the late Ringan Ledwidge; where he talked about imposter syndrome and how he constantly felt like someone was gonna tap him on the shoulder and say “you’re done mate”. I remember reading that interview when I was feeling particularly low in confidence and thinking - if someone like Ringan, one of the best commercial directors on the planet, is feeling this then I’m gonna be alright. That moment was quite transformative for me actually, it made me more fearless.
LBB> From watching your reel, I noticed that you seem to gravitate toward examining the emotional impact that life can have on us as individuals. Why do you think this is a theme that you like to explore so closely?
Brendan> I’m always drawn to stories about the human condition, particularly smaller stories that are universal. I love the idea of telling stories in a place where not many people may have heard of, but they can relate so much. I’ve just finished my debut feature Christy, which is exactly this type of story and features so many first time actors; real people with real stories and struggles which inspired the film. I adore this type of filmmaking. There’s just so much truth in it, and it feels like what you’re doing is genuinely making a difference.
LBB> What draws you towards a brief/project?
Brendan> The authenticity of a project is always the main thing that draws me in. If something feels real to me, that’s normally the main draw.
LBB> When working on the All-Blacks x Adidas campaign, what was the one thing you wanted to make sure the audience felt while watching the spot?
Brendan> The special thing about the All Blacks is how they transcend Rugby. They are a part of the fabric of Aotearoa - like no other sports team on the planet. I really wanted the audience to feel that deeper connection.
LBB> What’s the craziest problem you’ve come across in the course of a production – and how did you solve it?
Brendan> I shot a Budweiser ad with Conor McGregor years back, and in the first half of the ad he’s walking in his old neighbourhood in Dublin and midway through he turns a corner and he’s in LA. His hair and clothes were supposed to match perfectly to make the transition as seamless as possible. But the night before the LA shoot, not thinking, he went and shaved his hair off. The clients and agency were absolutely freaking out. My solution was actually just do nothing and to carry on as usual - so we kept his outfit the same and just owned his hair change. And nobody even noticed a thing! Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.
LBB> What is a secret about the production world that might shock people?
Brendan> A surprising aspect of the production world is the incredible diversity of roles and talents required to make a film. There's a whole village of people behind the scenes, each with their own unique and diverse job. From creatives like the director and writer to the logistical talents like producers and AD’s, and from skilled craftsmen like grips and sparks to the caterers and stylists, the production world is a bustling ecosystem of talent. It's this hidden army of diverse professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes that makes this world a fascinating and very unique place.
