Paula Walker Shoots Herbal Essences Spot

Herbal Essences dazzling new global spot is a lyrical journey that stars the brand’s new celebrity ambassador Nicole Scherzinger. Directed by Strato Films’ Paula Walker for agency Atelier, the commercial transports viewers to a mysterious, beautiful realm where passions are stirred. 

 

View the project here: http://stratofilms.com.

 

“Atelier came to us with a fantastic concept, one that speaks to my deep interest in creating experiences that amplify the senses and take people to new places real or imagined,” says director Walker. “The creatives wanted to enchant -- and this informed every step of the project.”

 

“Paula is an intuitive director who knows how to tell a story brilliantly,” comments Atelier Producer David Sciavone. “She has an amazing energy, and it was really exciting to spend time with her on this project.”

 

Walker sought a location with expansive space and burnished luster of history as the fittingly dramatic setting for the highly choreographed narrative to unfold; A five hundred year-old Moorish palace in Seville, Spain provided the ultimate environment for the intricately designed shoot. During the filming, Walker and Scherzinger quickly developed a collaborative shorthand based on a shared background in dance and choreography.

 

“Nicole has an incredible talent and ability to communicate a wealth of emotion and range with a subtle movement. She can command space, even one as dramatic as the palace,” comments Walker. “Her incredible beauty is equal parts femininity and strength, perfect for the spot. We all loved working with her.”

 

“Paula and Nicole spoke a shorthand dance language,” recalls Atelier Creative Director Kristin Moore-Gantz, “An arm-gestured chat they shared right before Nicole's courtyard entrance scene laid the foundation for one of those huge “all eyes on set, doing this in one take” cranes and cues magical dance shots. It was breath-taking from start of music to finish and left all of us in video village speechless. Paula’s directing is female strong, visually potent, and, just like her talent, embodies a wide range of compelling work, it is a fluid human dance.”

 

Walker and the agency brought the footage to Union editorial’s Laura Milstein who crafted the edit set to the rhythm of the multi-layered, pulsing music track. Although Walker and Milstein had worked together on prior projects, it was the first time they collaborated in person and relished the opportunity – and pure fun – of the experience both with Paula and Atelier. 

 

“The spot is all about strength,” notes Atelier Producer David Schiavone, “and it was incredible to see this reflected in the team behind the project - Paula, Nicole, Laura and creative directors Kristin and Holly – who came together on this ambitious piece.”