The Work That Made Me: Luka Wilson
SLMBR PRTY director Luka Wilson delivers bold, kinetic films that are concept-driven, graphic, and vibrant. Her slightly surreal worlds, cosmic colour palettes, and unexpected camera movements draw focus to the digital format, giving her work a youthful edge and contemporary energy.
Her pandemic-set short film, 'Sealed with a Kiss', received a Vimeo Staff Pick, and her follow-up short, 'Disposal', premiered on Hulu as part of their 'Huluween' series. She speaks to LBB about all of the work which has influenced her, and what she's created in turn.
The ad/music video from my childhood that stays with me…
Luka> Britney Spears’ Pepsi commercial, Now and Then, left a lasting impression. I loved its playful, theatrical tone, and I’m sure, on a subconscious level, it has shaped the energetic and colourful approach I take to my commercial work.
The ad/music video/game/web platform that made me want to get into the industry…
Luka> Jurassic Park was pivotal in shaping my dream of becoming a director. My childhood obsession with the film led to a moment of realization that real people are behind making movies. I remember hearing stories about the creative lengths the filmmakers went to—like using a guitar string in a car’s dashboard to achieve the perfect vibration for the water cup, replicating the T-Rex footsteps. It sounds silly, but for whatever reason, it was an aha moment for me as a kid.
The creative work (film/album/game/ad/album/book/poem etc) that I keep revisiting…
Luka> Recently, I’ve been revisiting the novel Teenager by Bud Smith. It’s a violent and tragic teenage love story—a real indictment of the American Dream. I’m interested in stories that examine how the American Dream has evolved and, in some ways, evaporated over time.
My first professional project…
Luka> I got my start directing campaigns for indie beauty brands. I worked with the brands directly, which allowed me to shape the scripts and the creative in a satisfying way. I love being a part of the early creative strategy of a project.
The piece of work (ad/music video/ platform…) that made me so angry that I vowed to never make anything like *that*…
Luka> Hmm… Kendall Jenner’s Pepsi commercial?
The piece of work (ad/music video/ platform…) that still makes me jealous…
Luka> I’ve always been obsessed with Spike Jonze’s Kenzo campaign, and I love Rainsford’s music video for 'Love Me Like You Hate Me'. I would love to direct a commercial or music video that centers dance in an emotionally compelling and fun way.
The work that I’m proudest of…
Luka> My short films, Sealed with a Kiss and Disposal. Sealed with a Kiss received a Vimeo Staff Pick and Disposal premiered on Hulu as part of their 'Huluween' series. I’m proud of both films because they feel like mini-features, and it’s tough to tell a character-driven story with high stakes and tension in under 15 minutes.
Through the process of making these films, I also gained a clear understanding of the stories I am passionate about telling. I’m focused on creating intimate, character-driven narratives infused with a strong sense of place, building towards operatic endings. Developing this understanding has shaped and inspired my vision for future work.
I was involved in this and it makes me cringe…
Luka> In high school TV class, I filmed a parody of MTV’s docu-series True Life called True Life I Poop My Pants. I still think it’s pretty hilarious, but some people might find it cringe.
The recent project I was involved in that excited me the most…
Luka> I’m working on a proof of concept short film about an aspiring actress working as a Lyft driver who kidnaps her favourite director in hopes of being his next muse. It’s King of Comedy meets Something Wild.
