Ella Ribak

Profession

BA (Hons) Film Practice, Alumni

College

London College of Communication

Person Type

Alumni

Biography

Interview

Having graduated from BA (Hons) Film Practice at London College of Communication in 2018, Ella is part of a directing duo Stuuipid and produces music videos with Luti Media.

Where are you from in the world?

London, England (born and raised)

What was the best bit about your time at LCC? And the worst?

Best bit was being able to experiment and find my love for directing and set designing, the worst was not having the opportunity to try as many fields of film as I wanted, such as cinematography.

Why did you decide to study film and why LCC?

I realised I had an eye for detail and an immense amount of creativity that needed to be put into practice. LCC seemed like the best place to study because of the standard UAL holds, and I wanted to stay in London due to my connections.

You’re currently working at Luti Media, how did that opportunity come about and what is your role?

I did a couple of days work experience as a runner and showed the director’s rep my music videos that I'd been working on outside of uni.

They all loved them, and I had a meeting with Luti himself about my directing career. I left after my work experience and a year later, (after keeping in touch with everyone from the company via social media) the director’s rep asked myself and my directing partner if we’d like to sign a contract, and here we are today! We’re now known as the directing duo Stuupid.

We produce videos ourselves under Stuupid, usually smaller projects, and bigger projects come from our agent under Luti Media.

Is a central theme or idea that runs through your work?

We like to be authentic when it comes to working with artists. We really like to connect with them and get to know them as people before we sit down to plan their videos. We love working with like-minded and interesting people, including dancers and models and the artists themselves.

We convey passion and truth in our videos and try to represent people from all backgrounds, genders and races in the best way possible. We’re forward thinkers and believe that we bring something new to the way music videos are made.

Name three things you couldn't be creative without:

My huge A3 notepad and my Sharpies
Music, particularly Jazz
My open mind, which is constantly ticking away with new ideas. I try to stay as open minded and curious as possible about everything in life.

If you could collaborate creatively with anybody in the world who would it be? (Or maybe you already have?)

I’d love to make a video with The Internet or Tyler, The Creator. They’re huge artistic inspirations to me. Working with Kendrick Lamar would be a dream too! I really look up to dancers and I’d love to work more with choreography and other styles of free movement.

If you could create your dream project, what would it be?

A huge choreographed music video with crazy cartoon-like sets and mad costumes

What drives you to succeed?

The fact I know what Stuupid is capable of. I know we have some of the most innovative ideas. We just need the people to believe in us.

How would you describe LCC?

So much freedom. Allows you to expand your creativity in whatever direction you want

Is there a particular person who has shaped your university experience or creative outlook?

My tutors encouraged me to get into set design during one of my projects, and I realised I had a real knack for it. Shout out to Polly and Klaus!

What piece of advice would you give to new students?

Continue your own projects outside of uni. Keep working on what you’re passionate about and utilise the uni in every way you can. Rent equipment, speak to people on other courses, and collaborate. Uni years are very precious, it’s a time for you to perfect your craft and really figure out which direction you want to go in. The main thing is to be proactive outside of uni!

Where in London do you go when you need a little inspiration?

I usually have a look on Pinterest as there’s so much content on there. I head to Richmond Park and get out in nature, sometimes I just go skating. I sometimes find inspiration when I have no internet connection, so I’ll get on the underground and just sit on a train to a random location with a notebook and write whatever comes to my head.

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