Ian Thomson / Director

Curriculum Vitae

Ian graduated from Sydney College of the Arts with a B.A. in Visual Communicaton. After starting out in his hometown of Sydney he moved to Europe in 1988 (London, Barcelona, Vienna and Hamburg). After 6 years back in Australia (1992 – 1998) he returned to Hamburg where he is currently working as a commercials director.

Ian speaks English (native speaker), fluent German and conversational Spanish.

Since 2003 Ian has been working as a freelance director, writing and directing projects such as the Olympic and Tour de France campaigns for ZDF (Germany’s Channel 2) as well as image films for NDR Television. He recently completed a series of spots for Samsung (Hyperreal).

Prior to going freelance (2000 – 2003) Ian was senior creative at the Agency DMC in Hamburg. Here he directed many titles and image spots for various clients (ARD, KIKA, NDR).

From 1998 to 2000 Ian was Head of Design at the German Pay TV station PREMIERE in Hamburg. Here he conceived and produced many of the stations image films and titles – often combining live action with hi-end computer graphics.

1992 – 1998 Ian ran his own Advertising agency in Australia. During this time he also directed the Agency’s TVCs as well as an independent film project.

1990-1992 Ian worked as a freelance creative in the television and advertising industry in Germany. He also directed a film about ex-TALKING HEADS singer David Byrne.

1988-1989, after a brief stint at THE FRAME STORE in London, Ian accepted the position as senior creative at the advertising production company OFRAME STORE in Barcelona. Here he produced many postproduction intensive spots for Spanish advertising.

1985-1987 After finishing his studies Ian worked at the creative Postproduction house THE VIDEO PAINTBRUSH COMPANY (now ANIMAL LOGIC). Here he became one of a handful of people worldwide who specialized on creative Postproduction using QUANTEL equipment (Paintbox, Harry, Encore).