Coed Studios Expands Directorial Roster

Coed Studios, a boutique production and post house launched by directors Haley Geffen and Sam Stephens and Managing Director Damijan Saccio, has expanded its directorial roster with four new additions, giving the company added depth and versatility while adding unique creative perspectives to its culture. 

The cast of talents joining the company includes directors Blythe Thomas, Emily Anderson, Noor Gharzeddine, and Kris Walter. Thomas, who’s also a photographer, is widely known for her music video work; her signing with Coed is her first representation agreement with a major commercial production company. Anderson joins from Hogarth, the global production arm of WPP, where she was an in-house director. She is also a designer and creative director by background. Gharzeddine is a budding Lebanese American filmmaker whose signing with Coed marks her introduction to the commercials arena; her work leans towards long-form storytelling. And Walter is a versatile filmmaker who’s worked directly with major global brands and agencies.

The moves come on top of a period of steady growth for the company, with directors Geffen and Stephens undertaking larger, more complex projects for an expanding list of global agencies, including FCB, Publicis/Saatchi, and Media.Monks, among others. “We’ve managed to rise above the challenges of the past two plus years, and now we’re finding ourselves competing for projects with the industry’s top production companies and directors,” explains Geffen, who adds that she’s currently writing on a Super Bowl spot. 

“We wanted to move carefully as we grew, and so we’ve taken our time to find the right talents, fresh eyes, and varied perspectives,” notes Stephens. “Adding Blythe, Emily, Noor, and Kris is a natural extension of the family, allowing us to offer a much deeper and more diverse variety of cinematic voices to collaborate with our brand and agency partners. 

Thomas (see her work here) has directed music videos for such artists as Julia Michaels, Hozier, Miranda Lambert, Anthony Ramos, and many more. Geffen says she’ll add a great POV to the company’s roster, and her ability to work in both motion and still will be an asset. “Blythe has lots of great stories to tell, and we’re excited about what she’ll bring to our agency and brand clients,” Geffen notes. 

Anderson (see her work here) has directed quirky spots for such brands as IBM, Noom, Holiday Inn, ESPN, and Walgreens. Chosen for the SHOOT New Directors Showcase, she’s also directed narrative shorts that have been film festival favorites. “Emily’s creative energy and enthusiasm are infectious,” says Stephens. “It shows in her work, where she brings out this quirky and emotional realness in her subjects. Combine that with some serious art direction chops and she’s well on her way to establishing a truly unique voice in the industry.”

Gharzeddine (see her work here) is an award-winning filmmaker who divides her time between New York, L.A., and Beirut. She directs commercials, feature films, and music videos, often focusing on untold, female-centric stories. Her debut feature, “Are You Glad I’m Here,” traveled to over 30 film festivals worldwide and won numerous awards before being released theatrically and on Amazon. “Noor came up through the production ranks, and she’s got an amazing eye and flair for storytelling,” says Geffen. “From my perspective as a company owner, it’s an honor and a privilege to give underrepresented voices like hers the opportunity to work for agencies and brands on a global level.”

Walter’s work (see his work here), features a special flair for shooting sports and athletes in action, and  includes spots for brands like Izod, Nike, Speedo, and others. He joins Coed from the in-house agency at PVH, the apparel giant that owns iconic brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein. Spots he’s either directed or produced have been awarded multiple Cannes Lions and an Emmy.

That three of the four new signings are women directors is not lost on Geffen, who says the move fits in perfectly with the company’s goal of seeking to foster diversity and inclusion at every step. “And with these signings, we’ve doubled down on that,” she says. “Our roster is now more balanced, and the filmmakers who’ve joined us are aligned with our core ethos as a company. More importantly, we’ve all come together to form this close-knit and supportive unit, which I find gratifying. We’re working together to help each other succeed as directors.”