Katie Hunter
Associate Creative Director / Film Director
Chicago, Il
www.KatieHunterCreative.com
instagram @mkatiehunter
Q What do you do?
“I’m an associate creative director who specializes in video and new media.”
I also direct commercials and short films, and I am a micro-influencer on TikTok.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I studied media theory and theatre at the University of Chicago and wrote my thesis about how we portray instant communication technology and social media in art.
The play that launched my first career as an actor/playwright was about Facebook, and predicted a quarantine that forced a community to interact only online through social media. The play was produced internationally and helped me get a job as a playwright for the American Theatre Company (ATC) in Chicago, where I taught CPS high school students playwriting, and wrote two plays for ATC based on their experiences.
Nowadays, my academic and artistic background enhances my ability to develop more effective and innovative new media strategies for brands, and fascinating creative ways to portray complex concepts through live experiences and on film. I currently work in-house on the senior creative team at the #1 hospital in Illinois, and direct commercials and short films.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I come from a non-traditional creative background -- I was a working actor and published playwright before going corporate. I'm also a micro-influencer on TikTok with over 12 million video views on the platform, and an engaged community of almost 45K.
Q What are you working on right now?
I just finished an integrated campaign featuring a woman who donated her kidney to a stranger at Northwestern Medicine, the centerpiece of which is a documentary film I directed that follows her into surgery.
I'm currently in pre-production for a documentary short film about the queer amateur wrestling scene in Chicago and surrounding suburbs.
Q What’s your style?
Words that describe my style are (colorful, artful, human) (clear, clever, honest) (bubbly, enthusiastic, charming)
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I love telling stories with film, and would welcome the opportunity to explore more print work.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
I'm a senior in-house creative, but I don't have any agency experience. I have had multiple rounds of interviews with ad agencies who like my book, but are hesitant to hire me because I don't have that agency experience yet.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Easy -- a producer! Having to come up the creative concept, sell it, film it, edit it, AND handle the logistics is a lot for one person. A dedicated producer would allow me to focus on the strategy and creative aspects of my job.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I wish I had interned at an ad agency when I was in college. I didn't realize I wanted to be a creative director at an ad agency until my mid-20's -- when I finally started working with agency folks, I felt like I had found my people!
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I want to speak with more female film directors about their path, and shadow them to learn more about how they work.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I am looking for full time and/or contract ad agency work as a senior art director or associate creative director.
I also direct commercials, music videos, and short films.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
When I worked for Claire's, I was really impressed with the level of communication and efficiency throughout the entire production process. We had two great pre-pro calls with creatives and client leadership to talk through the mood boards, tone, schedule, and introduce everyone. The environment was very welcoming for everyone to ask each other questions and get on the same page.
During production, creatives were professional and fun to work with, keeping a positive vibe on set and behind-the-scenes (crucial when shooting with young talent)! The Claire's team was collaborative and honest with their feedback, and I left after two days of filming with no questions about their satisfaction with the work. It was a great experience!
Q What is your rate?
I charge different rates depending on the size and type of organization but typically:
Corporate/Advertising ACD/Sr. AD
$600-800/day
$65-80/hour
$125 - 150K FT salary range
Director
$800-1000/day
I will quote lower for non-profits but I base my rates for them on my current workload + their operating budget so it's extremely variable.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
People can reach me by phone or text at (913) 271-1711, or email at mkatiehunter@gmail.com. I usually like to start by scheduling an intro call to talk through budget, project background, etc, then follow up with a quote. When reaching out, please include timing expectations if available and a brief overview of the project.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Jacobi Alvarez is a fantastic female filmmaker + interdisciplinary artist looking for work as an art director.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
TikTok, The Artist's Way, Seeing great art!
This member profile was originally published in September 2022.