Meet the Filmmakers Elley Norman & Scott Wynn
Elley Norman and Scott Wynn are a part of Patti Agency. Elley comes from a lifestyle brand background working as a creative director for multiple global brands for the past 15 years. Most recently the global creative director for Billabong Women’s, Elley has played a pivotal role in advancing the status and visibility of women within the action sports space through changing internal practicing and creative brand marketing. Scott is a creative director in LA. He started his career working in ad agencies and now focuses on original content creation for brands. Scott has been most influential in creating original conceptual content that goes beyond the norm. They directed “Synchronism” which will be screening at this years’ festival.
Where did you grow up and where do you call home now?
Scott and I grew up in a coastal town on the East Coast of Australia called the Sunshine Coast. We now live in Big Bear Lake California.
How did you get started in the surf film industry?
Growing up in a beach town, surfing and skating was in our blood and I suppose it was just a natural progression to work within the surf community.
What’s different about directing a surf film than a more mainstream film?
We have never directed a mainstream film but we have directed lots of mainstream commercials. Some differences are the general vibe on set, there is a natural, casual and loose atmosphere when shooting surfing and generally a smaller production because the budgets are lean haha.
What inspired you to make Synchronism?
With this film, the idea was to create a piece that didn’t fit within the current landscape. To create something abstract and surreal, a film that could go beyond the surf world. Less about performance, and more about beauty and showcasing surfing as an art form. When Josie surfs it looks like she is dancing, so having the artistic dancers dance with her really complimented her style.
How did you come to meet the surfers in the film?
Josie Predergast has been a friend for a long time. We have made a lot of branded content together but this was our first personal project.
What do you hope the audience takes away from the film?
We hope that people can walk away feeling something, good, bad, insirped, confused, empowered whatever it might be. Content should be about entertainment, so if we can create something different that can do that, we’re happy.
Synchronism is such a visually stunning film and really evokes early avant-garde cinema. What was your thought process behind having the film in black and white vs color?
Yes, we were inspired by early avant-garde films. With that in mind, and considering the concept and art direction it made sense that black and white film was the right choice.
What was the process like for choosing Josie Predergast as the featured surfer in this film?
The process was easy, it was a no brainer that she was the perfect surfer for this concept.
Where can we learn more about your work?
On our website!
