The Directors: Laura Murphy

Laura has immense experience working with seasoned improv actors and stand-up comedians. Her career began at MTV writing and directing celebrity packed campaigns before she moved out west and dove head first into commercials and the longer form world. Laura has directed two feature films (one coming in 2024) as well as sketch and scripted comedy series such as “Awkwafina is Nora From Queens” for Comedy Central, "Last Week Tonight with Jon Oliver" for HBO, and most recently “Who Killed Santa: a Murderville Mystery” starring Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Maya Rudolph. She has also directed commercial campaigns for brands like Walmart, Anheuser- Busch, Geico, Groupon, Snapple, Cox Communication and Annovera because according to her "it rules.”

Name: Laura Murphy

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Repped by: Gravy Films

LBB> What elements of a script sets one apart from the other and what sort of scripts get you excited to shoot them?

Laura> The most fun scripts and the ones I get excited about are smart yet simple; a great concept with room to play around a little in the world or pump up the comedy. There’s like a crispness to a great script. And I love that.

LBB> How do you approach creating a treatment for a spot?

Laura> I always start with the writing. I think because I come from a writing background, the writing helps me flesh out the visual part in my mind. Writing is almost like a brainstorming exercise for me. Then I can always re-write it after I dive into visuals as often times, some imagery or research will expand my initial ideas. But I need to start with writing to get the idea juices flowing (idea juices is a gross phrase I know, but I can’t think of a better phrase right now).

LBB> For you, what is the most important working relationship for a director to have with another person in making an ad? And why?

Laura> It seems like a cop out but I honestly think every working relationship a director has is super important to fostering a creatively collaborative and inclusive environment, which is when the best stuff gets made, especially in the world of comedy. Obviously, being in sync with the agency creatives is incredibly important and can also be really inspiring. When everyone on set is on the same page and great ideas are flowing, there is nothing better. But having stellar relationships with the actors, the AD and the producers are all super important too. The goal is always a productive and organised shoot, where everyone enjoys the process and finishes with a great ad we can all be proud of. And that requires fostering and nurturing all the relationships in the process.

LBB> What type of work are you most passionate about - is there a particular genre or subject matter or style you are most drawn to?

Laura> I want to work on anything that will make me laugh.

LBB> What misconception about you or your work do you most often encounter and why is it wrong?

Laura> I think because I have done so much dialogue based comedy there is maybe a misconception that I don’t also love high concept visual stuff that is more technical. But in the longer form work I have done there has been lots of VFX and special effects driven stuff which I also really enjoy. 

LBB> Have you ever worked with a cost consultant and if so how have your experiences been?

Laura> I have not. I don’t think so anyway. If you are a cost consultant that I worked with I apologise for forgetting you but I assume that means the experience was seamless and therefore I have not recorded it as a terrible memory to think about when I can’t sleep at 3am.

LBB> What’s the craziest problem you’ve come across in the course of a production – and how did you solve it?

Laura> One time the entire cast tested positive for covid on the morning of the shoot. That was bonkers. We pivoted and used the background actors and the creatives wrote a whole new concept on the spot. I can’t say enough how awesome that agency team was and how cool the crew was on that shoot. We all just kind of rolled with it and we made something great and all still managed to have a fun day. Also shout out to the background actors who stepped up and did waaaay more than they were expecting to that day. 

LBB> How do you strike the balance between being open/collaborative with the agency and brand client while also protecting the idea?

Laura> All of directing is really striking balances and communicating effectively to do that. I think if the tone is set early on in the relationship that you are collaborative and open and also respect the shit out of other people and what they do in their jobs, then the respect ends up going both ways and conversations about when and how to push things, and how to safeguard those things that you feel are creative priorities, are very easy to have.

LBB> What are your thoughts on opening up the production world to a more diverse pool of talent? Are you open to mentoring and apprenticeships on set?

Laura> Mentoring is incredibly important to me and I do it every chance I get. I have been involved with several shadow programs and always find ways to unofficially mentor people in my own time too. People did it for me before it was an official thing, and I want to pay that forward. Whatever I can do to help create opportunities and get a more diverse pool of talent more work, I will do. It is something I am very passionate about.

LBB> How do you feel the pandemic is going to influence the way you work into the longer term? Have you picked up new habits that you feel will stick around for a long time? 

Laura> This might be controversial but I will use hand sanitizer and wear a mask when I am sick on set forever now. Can you believe we went to the doctor’s office where everyone is sick and didn’t wear masks ever? That is INSANE to me now. But other than that, I don't think the pandemic influenced much else. I never want to direct remotely from home ever again, that is for sure.

LBB> What’s your relationship with new technology and, if at all, how do you incorporate future-facing tech into your work (e.g. virtual production, interactive storytelling, AI/data-driven visuals etc)?

Laura> Well the research/prep loving part of me LOVES new technology (as long as it doesn’t replace me eventually). And I love talking to people who work and specialise in those fields; people who are passionate about it, because they get me excited about it too. I think learning more about it also takes the anxiety away so that incorporating it into work becomes a more enjoyable and additive experience. 

LBB> Which pieces of work do you feel really show off what you do best – and why?

Laura> Walmart Ensemble, Geico DMV, Arag Mold and the Murderville episode.