Freddie Powell: A Few Of My Favourite Things

From the first experience of Freddie Powell's work, the work 'playfulness' cannot be far from the mind.

With a career that started in the offices of W+K London and Portland, and led him to founding his own production company, DROOL, the director's effortless match of wit and wonder has led him to create standout work for the likes of NatWest and DFS.

Here, our journey through his Favourite Things is as entertaining and whimsical as you'd hope, taking us from a (literal) shedload of memorabilia to a list of rules that can set and be creative straight.

The Shed

I can say with absolute certainty that there is no other job on earth I would enjoy more than being a director. 

I thrive off having fun. 

But I spend a scary amount of time out in the shed-office. 

Sometimes I hate that little room more than anything in the world, so I need it to seem as fun as possible. 

Plus it makes me seem more interested in Zoom calls.

The Clock

There was a point early on in my career when I was determined to NOT use a certain cat clock that we’ve all seen a kabillion times in ads and music videos. 

Arthur de Borman (amazing production designer) did this stupid sketch that was completely irresponsible but highly memorable. 

The crocodile never made the cut but it hangs as a reminder to push for originality and never take stuff too seriously. ]

The sketch is so dumb. I LOVE it.

The Tartan Thing

Gen [Genevieve Sheppard, Co-Founder and Executive Producer at DROOL] kept this from our first DFS job.

We lavished that thing with so much craft and detail. 

This is literally a label that goes on the inside of a Tartan jacket. 

It was five frames of the ad. 

Laura Ellis Cricks was the production designer and she just oozes craft and love. 

The Jacket

I think I love America more than most Americans I used to work with do. 

My old copywriter and friend Jarrod Higgins commissioned this jacket for me when I left the USA. 

It reminds me fondly of cheeseburgers, fire trucks and bald eagles.

The Light

I’m pretty sure I got to where I am because of my enthusiasm. 

I don’t think I have a great deal of natural talent but I believe that energy will trump talent every day of the week.

Or at least I have to believe that or I’m buggered. 

So, yeah, this may be a crappy LED light I got on Amazon, but it’s all I’ve got. 

Felt cute at the time. 

Might get rid of it.

The Phone

Fun fact: they give you a novelty jacket when you leave the USA but they also give you a GOLD PHONE when you arrive. 

My first American copywriter, Jason Kreher, gave this to me when I turned up in the land of the free.