Jordan Scott On The Spot

Scott is more than a famous last name. After growing up in London and attending the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., Jordan Scott joined her brothers Jake and Luke, dad Ridley and uncle Tony in the family business. She began in music videos, but the 27-year-old RSA director has added her touch to a variety of innovative ad projects, from Prada's lyrical ode to its new fragrance to Amazon's Portrait, starring Minnie Driver. She's currently working on a UNICEF short and dreaming of her first feature film. Q: You've created several advertiser- sponsored short films—Portrait for Amazon and Thunder Perfect Mind for Prada, as well as a Sony "Dreams" short film. How does it compare with directing 30-second spots?A: In a way, who wouldn't prefer it? It gives more opportunity for creativity. It's a subtler approach and perhaps gives the audience more time to think about a product or company, rather than frantically trying to cover all bases in 30 seconds.Would you be willing to do an advertising- sponsored feature?Never say never.What was collaborating with Ridley on the Prada short film like? Who did what?He was more of a sounding board; I was hands-on.What have you learned as a director from your father or Tony Scott?Everything. Everything I know I learned from them and from my brothers—just picking up advice along the way. They're so good at what they do. It's very hard to say specifically any one thing. They always have advice for every conceivable obstacle.Can you tell me about Take 7, your upcoming contribution to a series of short films? Yes, there are seven directors, we're each making a short film. It's for UNICEF. And we're each making a short film about children in our country.How did you get involved with that?It was out of the blue really. [They approached her.] Mine is about an English war photographer and his encounters with children.What are you working on right now? Anything advertising-related?A commercial for Prada men's fragrance.What's your take on the ad industry?It's a harsh mistress.What inspired you to get into advertising?They can be like little films. You get constant opportunities to try different ideas that perhaps aren't your creative norm. I love that every job is completely different; every job is a learning curve. It keeps you on your toes.Who has influenced you most creatively?That's a really hard one. I think specifically I've always really looked up to my dad and have been in awe of his whole process. Actually, recently working with Prada and working with Miuccia Prada. She's been a huge influence on me, I think. She really opened my eyes.In what way?It's what she does in her field, even though she goes beyond just being a fashion designer. She reminded me a lot of my dad, and she's such a hugely creative person. And having grown up around film, doing commercials and doing music videos since I was 20, I was never really exposed to different creative processes. So I guess that's kind of how she opened my eyes, because she draws from absolutely everything. She's so knowledgeable artistically, and it sort of made me look further and reach further. What's the smartest business decision you've ever made?Being overambitious for a moment.What about the dumbest business decision?Being overambitious for a moment.How do you get past a creative block?Put yourself in the presence of greatness.What's your dream assignment?I quite want to work for National Geographic.What's your biggest fear?Complacency.What's your biggest pet peeve?Passive-aggressive people.What's on your nightstand?Three alarm clocks.What's the most important thing you learned from your parents?Brutal honesty.Who's one person you're dying to work with?Oscar Wilde.What was the last CD or music that you purchased?Jose Gonzalez's Veneer.What are three words you'd use to describe yourself?Dreamer, passionate, realist.What about words other people would use?I shudder to think.

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Jordan Scott On The Spot

Mae Anderson

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Mae Anderson