Merv

27/07/2024

Aaron Wilson joins MERV :: Campaign Brief

Award winning filmmaker Aaron Wilson has joined MERV.

22/07/2024

AWARD WINNING FILMMAKER AARON WILSON JOINS MERV

With two critically acclaimed feature films under his belt, “Canopy” and “Little Tornadoes”, Aaron infuses his commercial directing work with a refined cinematic perspective, enriched with emotive character performances and subtle humour.

Raised along the Murray River, Aaron has lived and worked in and around the neighbourhood South-East Asian region, and resides in inner-city Melbourne. With this background, he focuses on work that emphasises difference, inclusivity, q***r representation and cross-cultural connection, mirroring the values of modern Australia.

Wilson has directed some truly atmospheric campaigns, most notably on the “The Best” for John West, and the impactful “Love The Game, Not The Odds” for Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. He has crafted a diverse range of work for international brands and brings extensive experience working with multi-platform, VR and activation projects.

He is also well known for his aptly named campaign ‘The Hipstervention”, for BIC Australia, which takes aim at the hipster beard.

For all inquiries contact David Curry - [email protected]

Or Tim Berriman – [email protected]

www.mervmakes.com

02/07/2024

MERV OPENS MELBOURNE OFFICE

MERV announces the opening of it's Melbourne office, which will be headed up by Executive Producer David Curry, who brings with him decades of experience on both the agency and production house side of the business.

David joins on the heels of his long-time collaborator, director Craig Melville who recently joined the MERV roster. Together they have an impressive body of work locally and internationally for brands including Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, McDonalds, Gillette, Carnival Cruises and SEEK.

“I’m really looking forward to helping build the MERV brand in Melbourne and working with the great team of directors and artists they have curated. I’m also keen to bring on board some additional great Melbourne talent who might be looking to change things up and join a fresh and new team, together we are building something really exciting”, says David.

Sydney inquiries contact Tim Berriman – [email protected]
Melbourne enquiries contact David Curry – [email protected]

www.mervmakes.com

25/06/2024

MERV is excited to announce that comedy director Craig Melville comes on board and brings with him over two decades of experience and an impressive body of commercial, as well as, long-form work.

His work spans 120 episodes of broadcast television and more than 100 spots for clients such as Pepsi, Disney, Expedia, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Target, McDonald’s and Honda.

Craig’s work has been recognized at award festivals including wins at Cannes, Grand Prix at Spikes Asia, Grand Prix at Mumbrella BeFest, Australian Film Institute Awards, and multiple Australian Directors Guild Awards.

For all enquiries contact Tim Berriman – [email protected]

14/06/2024

Click on the link to read the full Campaign Brief article ➡️https://rb.gy/pbllav

Daniel Fenech
Matt Formston
Sydney Film Festival
MassiveMusic

12/06/2024

MERV's co-founder and EP Tim Berriman on the red carpet with THE BLIND SEA director Daniel Fenech, executive producer Erin Fenech and it's star Matt Formston

05/06/2024

MERV's incredible roster of DIRECTORS ::

Jason Ferrand
Gemma Lee
Damien Toogood Director
Sean Dunne
Jonathan May Photography
Matt Kazman
Daniel Fenech
Peter Henderson
Alina Gozin’a
Samantha + Arturo
Chris Ireland

03/06/2024

MERV's Jonathan May directs the new CeraVe Skincare spot staring Dylan Alcott and Millie Ford for Medium Rare.

Jonathan's ability to concurrently direct and capture stills, once again proves invaluable when dealing with time pressures while allowing the talent to relax and let their personalities shine.

All this added to the mix has allowed for a great ad and a day full of laughs.
Client L'Oréal Group
Sophie Lacorne
Alice Hansen
Izzy Pehlivanidis

Agency Medium Rare
Chantelle Love
Katherine Green
Portia Lauchlan

Production MERV
Tim Berriman

23/05/2024

Today MERV attended Artist Talk #2 held by our very own Chris Ireland at TAFE NSW.

It was very inspiring to hear Chris speak about following his passion and making a difference, as well as to see his very rare Palladium prints not shown in public.

To see Chris’s personal and commercial work, both in print and motion, head to mervmakes.com or contact Tim at [email protected]

14/05/2024

MERV welcomes Chris Ireland to it's growing ranks

14/05/2024

PHOTOGRAPHER AND FILMMAKER CHRIS IRELAND JOINS THE GROWING RANKS AT MERV

Known for his authentic storytelling and multidisciplinary approach, Chris Ireland makes a strategic move to MERV – a powerhouse production house that champions versatility and craft. This alliance will further hone and expand Ireland’s directing abilities and add to MERV’s growing roster of exceptional talent.

Ireland’s ability to photograph and direct, in equal measure, is evident in his executions for clients such as Army and Uber, to name a few.

Adding to his diverse portfolio, Chris recently exhibited at Sydney Contemporary, showcasing his artistry in the contemporary scene. His poignant Greenway exhibition reflects his commitment to revealing everyday beauty and human resilience.

“Chris’ unique ability to capture the subtleties of the human condition perfectly aligns with MERV’s motivation,” says Executive Producer Tim Berriman. “His talent and vision are invaluable additions to our roster.”

To see more of Chris Ireland’s work, visit our website mervmakes.com

For all enquiries contact Tim Berriman – [email protected]

20/03/2024

Coming off the back of this year’s box office smash hit “MEAN GIRLS” directing duo SAMANTHA JAYNE and ARTURO PEREZ JR have joined up with MERV for exclusive representation in Australasia.

Learn more here ➡️ https://bitly.ws/3gohC

08/03/2024

Merv celebrates

Merv is celebrating International Women's Day by showcasing some of the amazing women on its roster and a snapshot of their incredible work.

15/12/2023

Today’s MERV office

29/11/2023

MERV DIRECTOR Daniel Fenech's "THE BLIND SEA"

Merv director Daniel Fenech is wrapping up production of his film "The Blind Sea", which follows elite Australian athlete Matt Formston and big wave legend Dylan Longbottom as they charge the biggest wave ever ridden by a blind surfer.

At the age of five Matt lost 95% of his vision. Determined to lead a fulfilling life Matt’s parents gave him the tools to take back control of his life, becoming a highly successful corporate executive, Paralympian, World Champion, World Record Holder and World Cup Gold Medalist in Tandem Cycling, 3 x World Champion surfer, husband and father to three.

"The Blind Sea" is shot at various locations throughout Australia, FIJI, Indonesia, Portugal, USA and has made it into "Surfing Australia’s top 10 moments of the year".

The film is due for an early 2024 release, so watch out for the premier announcement.

To see the trailer, click here https://bitly.ws/33HtT

29/11/2023

Merv director and photographer Jonathan May has directed 15 films and photographed over 50 images for Akcelo’s latest Qatar tourism campaign.

Ranging from diverse subjects such as rally champions, artists and pearl divers, May’s 15 short films for the “Voices of Qatar” campaign give a voice to the colourful and diverse individuals that lead Qatar in their respective fields.

CREDITS

Client : Qatar Tourism

Agency : Akcelo
�ECD : Louise McQuat
Creative Partner : Jon Foye
Design by : Stephen Au
Copy by : Tracey Withers
Lead Producer : Mark Summerville
Account Manager : Astrid Noble

Production : Merv
Director/Photographer : jonathan may
Executive Producer : Tim Berriman
DOP : Dan Hilburn
Digi : Simon Taylor

Local Production : Resolution Films Doha
Line Producer : Zahra Muhammad
Assistant Producer : Lina Harfouche

Editor: Chris Baron
Post : The Hive
Audio post : Electric Sheep
Colour : Matt Fezz

For all inquiries contact Tim Berriman – [email protected]

24/10/2023

MERV’s director sporting the new MERV merchandise ✌️
For all enquiries contact Tim Berriman - [email protected]

20/10/2023

MERV SIGNS LA "IT" DIRECTOR MATT KAZMAN
 
Matt is an LA based filmmaker. His comedy is unique. It'll make you laugh, cry, and cringe. Possibly at the same time!
 
He has directed commercials and branded content for REI, Postmates, Amazon, Toyota, Cox Cable, Sephora, Intel and many others. He has worked with MTV, CollegeHumor, Snapchat, and Refinery29.

Recently, his short film DONKEY won awards at the Seattle International Film Festival and Lower East Side Film Festival. It also received a Vimeo Staff Pick, was featured on Short of the Week, and written about in Vulture.

His short film FATHER FIGURINE was featured on Short of the Week, NoBudge, Director’s Notes and Film Shortage. 

To see more of Matt’s work go to mervmakes.com/directors/matt-kazman

For all enquiries contact Tim Berriman - [email protected]

08/09/2023

We’re thrilled to see “Happy Folks Choose Oaks”, the campaign developed with Mash Brands for Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites, has received the Best Marketing Campaign award at the latest Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) NSW Awards for Excellence.

Directed and Photographed by Damien Toogood, these TV, online, and stills executions, put pure happiness at the core of this campaign - and we couldn’t be happier with the results!

Agency: Mash Brands
Creative Director: Linda Jukic
Creative Director: David Shirlaw
Director & Photographer: Damien Toogood (MERV)
Executive Producer: Tim Berriman (MERV)
Editor: Joe Morris
Post Production: White Chocolate
Sound: Squeaky Clean
Finished Artist: Benjamin Thomson

29/08/2023

In lieu of the release of a new original SBS Australia series While The Men Are Away, MERV shares Alina Gozin'a's amazing key art for the show. She has directed and shot the poster & billboard for this series dropping on SBS On Demand 27 September before going worldwide.

24/08/2023

MERV SIGNS PHOTOGRAPHER AND DIRECTOR MICAELA MCLUCAS

Micaela McLucas is an artist working between Sydney, London, NYC, and her hometown of Los Angeles.

Her colourful work blends the fine art and commercial worlds and is known for challenging traditional attitudes of the female gaze through its intimacy.

Addicted to making images, always on a road or in the air, continuously digging deeper and experimenting with technique. Micaela layers her experiences within her art just as she layers colour to form a juxtaposition of truth and altered states.

Micaela’s advertising clients include Pepsi, Marriott, Rolls Royce, Adidas and more.

To see more of Micaela’s work https://bitly.ws/SZip
For all inquiries contact Tim Berriman –[email protected]
www.mervmakes.com

21/08/2023

MERV spotlights our ingenious photographer whose cover is out NOW featuring . You can head to to read all about LaPaglia’s homecoming role in the iconic “Death of a Salesman” opening 7th September at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne.

Credits:
Katrina Strickland, Tim Beor, Anna-Lisa Backlund
Grooming Ali Robertson
Styling Jolyon Horatio Mason
Gear Pix On Location
Post: PB New York Crew: Gerald, Max, Matteo
Story by Michael Idato

For all enquiries contact Tim Berriman
[email protected]

28/07/2023

MERV talent | and his incredible work “Woman on the balloon” receives an award at the 2023 International Juried Art Competition |

25/07/2023

MERV’s shares some portraits from the latest spot for Case IH shot in Wycheproof, Victoria

24/07/2023

MERV talent | Ali Nasser Photography

For all enquiries contact Tim Berriman
[email protected]

24/07/2023

David Easteal’s ‘The Plains’ proves an Aussie indie breakout on the world stage.

Sight and Sound magazine listed only two Australian features among its 50 best films of 2022. One was Baz Luhrmann’s 'Elvis', and the other a self-financed feature debut, 'The Plains'. Since launching on Mubi, Letterboxd reviews variously describe it as “the exact kind of unflinching, experimental but still accessible film that Screen Australia should be funding” and “maybe the best Australian film of the century”.

Source Inside Film Magazine

12/07/2023

We are very excited to announce that Tim Georgeson is this year's finalist in the prestigious Olive Cotton award, which is a national award for excellence in photographic portraiture in memory of photographer Olive Cotton.
Watch This Space

29/06/2023

Merv Director Gemma Lee in collaboration with Saatchi & Saatchi Canada creates an exciting commercial for one of Toyota USA‘s most popular models, Corolla, which was shot in Santiago, Chile, with acclaimed cinematographer Denis Guth.

“Create Every Moment” Corolla TVC is a visually dynamic celebration of creativity in all its forms.

Reflecting on the projects, Gemma says “Working on these campaigns was a privilege. We aimed to make a lasting impact, inspiring audiences through engaging storytelling and emotive performances”.

To view more of Gemma’s work go to https://mervmakes.com/directors/gemma-lee/
For all enquiries contact Tim Berriman
[email protected]
www.mervmakes.com

29/06/2023

Merv Director Gemma Lee in collaboration with Saatchi & Saatchi Canada brings a captivating commercial to life for Toyota USA RAV4.

This TVC was shot in Santiago, Chile, with acclaimed cinematographer Denis Guth.

“Well…” follows a young couple on an exhilarating weekend of outdoor adventures, powered by their rugged and reliable RAV4.

This commercial artfully combines raw emotion and cinematic storytelling, highlighting Gemma’s directorial prowess through striking visuals, a compelling narrative, and authentic performances.

To view more of Gemma’s work go to https://mervmakes.com/directors/gemma-lee/
For all enquiries contact Tim Berriman
[email protected]
www.mervmakes.com

15/06/2023

Director & photographic artist Tim Georgeson has joined MERV, home to a group of some of the leading multidisciplinary talent in the industry.
Tim’s unique eye in directing, photography and art is combined at Merv to offer clients emotionally powerful commercial work.
Tim has been celebrated in the media, the arts, and the commercial world with World Press Photo, Leica, National Geographic and Global Oceanic Film Festival awards. He is also a Global Fuji X Ambassador. His work is collected in Museums and private collections around the world.

For all inquiries contact Tim Berriman – [email protected]
www.mervmakes.com