Director Bree Billington works with Beautiful Pictures in Australian Directors Guild Mentorship

Eight recipients of the first Australian Directors’ Guild’s (ADG) Commercial & Content Directing Mentorship program were recently announced. Among them – and the only participant from WA – was Bree Billington (far left), who will work with Beautiful Pictures.

“The commercial and content directing mentorship came at a perfect time,” said Billington. “The decision to go out on my own last year has opened so many doors and provided many incredible opportunities I would have never had in my previous roles. I’m thrilled about this mentorship with the team at Beautiful Pictures. Directors rarely get to work with other directors, especially in the commercial sector, so this mentorship will be a valuable insight into other directors’ processes and the relationship between agencies and production companies.

“Commercial directing is a great way to hone storytelling skills and I’m really appreciative that it’s being recognised by the ADG and Screen Australia as a pathway to a directing career.  I feel like I’m in a strong place with a lot of support to back myself, believe in myself and trust my creative decisions.”

As part of the mentorship program, the recipients are expected to spend several months with producers and directors from the production company they have been placed with to get a first-hand look at all facets of commercial content production, meet potential clients and advertising agency representatives and continue to work on their craft as directors.

Speaking at the ADG announcement event, Australian Directors’ Guild CEO Kingston Anderson said: “Currently female directors make up just 10% of directors represented by commercial production companies in the advertising sector. We’re aiming for this program to help dramatically increase that figure.”

Beautiful Pictures’ Kate Downie (above right) said they were excited to welcome Billington to the company and see another director grow in Perth.

“Being part of the mentorship program is a great way for Bree to receive opportunities that wouldn’t normally be available to other up-and-coming directors,” said Downie.

Tony Hale, CEO, The Communications Council, said: “As an organisation we are committed to making commercial creativity one of the most valued professional services in Australia, and a key element of this is to support and encourage gender diversity within the industry. We look forward to working with the recipients and leaders of the Commercial Content Directing Mentorship program and are excited to see where their careers will take them.”

See Billington’s reel here.