Commercial Director David Lawless Featured in Little Black Book Spotlight
Known for his high-concept visuals, narrative sophistication, and genre versatility, Commercial Director David Lawless has built a reputation as a filmmaker who merges sharp storytelling with bold commercial instincts.
In a recent feature interview with Little Black Book’s “PRO: Hello” series, Lawless opens up about his creative roots, evolving process, and the kind of work that keeps him inspired—and uncomfortable in the best way.
Represented by Kismet Artists, Lawless works across branded content, short-form narrative, and music videos, bringing a clear authorial voice to every frame. His work stands out for its cinematic elegance, intuitive pacing, and subtle tension—qualities that have attracted global clients in fashion, lifestyle, and sports.
Lawless has a knack for shooting scenes that feel intimate yet expansive—offering viewers space to feel, not just observe.
In the LBB interview, Commercial Director David Lawless reflects on his upbringing in a media-savvy household, where storytelling was part of daily life. That early exposure to editing, VHS dubbing, and experimental filming gave him a foundational comfort with cameras and an instinct for timing. But it’s his creative curiosity and critical eye that have propelled him beyond aesthetics into the deeper layers of what makes visual work resonate.
“I’m constantly looking for clarity,” he explains. “I want to strip away excess and get to the emotional core.” This mindset is evident in his commercial work, which often marries stylized visuals with grounded human moments. Lawless has a knack for shooting scenes that feel intimate yet expansive—offering viewers space to feel, not just observe.
His directorial toolkit includes tools from editing, VFX, and post-production workflows, allowing him to previsualize complex sequences and maintain a consistent vision from pitch to delivery. At the same time, he resists over-reliance on technique for its own sake. “If the style doesn’t support the substance, it doesn’t last,” he notes in the interview.
A key thread throughout the piece is Lawless’s relationship with risk. He embraces the idea that good work often begins with uncertainty. “If I’m too comfortable, I know I’m not pushing hard enough,” he says. That tension—between precision and vulnerability—is what gives his best work its charge.
Commercial Director David Lawless is particularly drawn to projects that walk the line between narrative and branded content. He cites the importance of working with brave clients who are willing to let the message unfold rather than shout. “You can trust the audience,” he says. “They’re smarter than we give them credit for.”
As a Kismet director, Lawless is surrounded by a community of visually-driven artists, cinematographers, and fellow directors. That creative network fuels his practice and keeps him grounded. “Kismet isn’t just a rep agency—it’s a studio of ideas,” he says. “There’s room to be weird, thoughtful, and deliberate.”
When asked what he looks for in a creative brief, Lawless points to purpose and permission. “A great brief doesn’t hand you the answers. It gives you a lens to look through,” he explains. That openness allows him to bring in narrative strategies, character arcs, or unexpected visual metaphors that elevate a spot beyond the expected.
With a slate of new commercial projects, short-form narratives, and pitch work in motion, Lawless continues to hone a voice that’s as sharp as it is cinematic. Whether crafting moody tableaus, kinetic lifestyle montages, or quietly powerful portraits, Commercial Director David Lawless is building a body of work defined by detail, vision, and feeling.
To read his full interview with Little Black Book, visit:
👉 LBB Online: PRO: Hello – David Lawless