From the release:

Hornet, the New York based creative studio, has announced the signing of director Edward Andrews, marking a further step of their expansion into live action director representation and production.

Whether working with actors or breathing life into animated characters, Edward Andrews finds success imprinting story and narrative into the heart of his work, and is known for his talent direction and seamless technical visual effects integration.

Prior to stepping into the director’s chair, Edward was a compositor at top longform VFX shop DNEG, working in the Academy Award winning teams behind Blade Runner 2049, Inception, The Dark Knight Rises, Harry Potter, Captain America, Wonder Woman, and Bond 23: Skyfall – for directors like Christopher Nolan, Patty Jenkins, Ron Howard, Sam Mendes, Denis Villeneuve, and Nicolas Winding Refn. Having built an enviable foundation in composition and shot making, and learning what it takes to deliver world-class visuals, he moved behind the camera and into the commercial world.

“When I first saw Edward’s work I was struck by his nuanced talent direction and by the understated way he applies what is clearly an immense technical ability. We have many of the same creative reference points and we have a shared vision of how great work is made. Everyone at Hornet is excited to be working with Edward. I feel privileged to be on this journey with him,” says Ben Sharpe, Executive Producer.

In spite of his exceptional technical background, and contrary to the path directors from technical backgrounds often take, Andrews insists on using visual effects in support of the idea, never as the idea itself. This is evident in the harrowing family drama played out in an almost-single take for the YMCA which helped him secure the title of Shots New Director of the Year in 2021, and through the all-singing, all-dancing anthropomorphised star of his darkly funny ‘This Job Can Break You’ for NABS which picked up four Clios in 2022.

“What stands out about Edward is his deep respect for cinematic pioneers, and his seamless ability to blend tradition with modern innovation. With such a full understanding and passion for the craft itself, comes a genuine confidence and boldness that I see as a catalyst to pushing creative boundaries and conjuring the stuff of dreams,” says Hana Shimizu, Managing Director.

This announcement marks the first live action signing for the New York studio, coming immediately on the heels of Ben Sharpe’s appointment as Executive Producer and the announcement of Hornet’s intentions in the Live Action space. Sharpe was formerly Head of Production at London creative shop adam&eveDDB (of John Lewis fame) and former Executive Producer at London’s Blink Productions – home to directors like Dougal Wilson and Nick Ball.

“Like everything at Hornet, our expansion into live action is being done with a lot of heart and a fearless vision. It includes having a committed team who share in a deep legacy of developing talent for over two decades, unilateral alignment with our brand’s ethos of creative ambition, and an unparalleled commitment to do the actual hard work: to show up and make a difference for our talent and for our clients,” adds Hana Shimizu.

The signing marks Edward Andrews’ first representation deal in the United States, complimenting his existing representation at Outsider Films in the United Kingdom, Steam Films in Canada, Grand Bazaar in France, and Tony Petersen Film in Germany.