Robert Caruso


Robert Caruso is an award-winning director and executive producer of commercials, music videos and branded content.
Early in his career, Caruso co-founded Commotion Pictures, a San Francisco-based film production company, with Andrew Linsk. There, he directed music videos and began his commercial career. In addition, he represented a roster of directors and shared Executive Producer responsibilities. His music industry clients and artists included Warner's Green Day, A&M's Soundgarden, Virgin's John Lee Hooker, Columbia's Public Enemy, and Island's PJ Harvey. Work for ad agency clients included commercial spots for: Sega, Time Warner, Taco Bell, and Levi Strauss. Commotion produced brand films for Pacific Bell, Sega, Crystal Dynamics and others.
After leaving Commotion Pictures, Caruso was recruited to Industrial Light & Magic, George Lucas's special effects company. With ILM's Commercial Production division, he directed spots for Coors, DirecTV, Disney, Kraft, Motorola, and Sprint He directed three music video titles for actor/musician Will Smith, winning awards for "Men In Black" and "Will2K". In collaboration with ILM's Academy Award-winning animators and special effects artists, he directed several character animation projects. Robert garnered many industry honors at ILMCP including a Clio, London International Advertising Award, Anicom Animation award, MTV Award, Billboard Magazine Award and Grammy nomination.
Following his work at Industrial Light & Magic Caruso directed through commercial production companies HKM Films and later Rhythm and Hues Studios. Caruso currently works as Director and Executive Producer out of the San Francisco-based film production company, .
Caruso's collaborations include film, music, and sports talent – creating memorable work with celebrities, as varied as actors James Earl Jones, Will Smith, Arnold Schwarzenegger, , and Jamie Foxx or sports figures, such as baseball great Hunter Pence, skateboarder Tony Hawk, basketball star Shaquille O'Neal, and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

Awards