Ryan Andrews


Ryan Andrews is a Welsh film director, music video director and production designer. He is best known for directing the film Elfie Hopkins and numerous music videos for Charli XCX.

Career

Ryan was brought up in New Quay, Ceredigion, Wales. He studied fine art in Carmarthen, before moving to London to study at the London Film School. He graduated in 2005 with an MA in Filmmaking.
After leaving London Film School, Andrews began working as a production designer. He carried out this role for Canadian film Gangster Exchange, which was released in 2009 and won multiple awards from film festivals.
In 2009, Andrews directed the short film Family Picnic for the BBC's "It's My Shout", an initiative that produces short films with budding Welsh filmmakers. He won the "It's My Shout" award for best director. In 2011, he directed Little Munchkin, a short film in which a couple adopt a cannibalistic child. The short was screened at FrightFest.
In 2010, Andrews directed a short film titled Jerusalem. It is named for the work of the same name by artist William Blake, and is based on an unsuccessful exhibit held by the artist in Soho, London in 1809. The short examines how Blake was largely unrecognized and criticized during his time. Jerusalem stars Ray Winstone as William Blake, and Amanda Drew as his wife Catherine Blake. The screenplay was written by Philippa Goslett.
Andrews directed a mini-series titled BeastHunters in 2010, which premiered on BBC Comedy upon its online launch. It stars James Corden, Jaime Winstone, and Robert Llewellyn.
Andrews' first feature film, Elfie Hopkins, was theatrically released in 2012 in the UK. It was released in the US in 2013 under the alternative title of Elfie Hopkins: Cannibal Hunter. Elfie Hopkins is a horror film surrounding a young aspiring detective who investigates her cannibalistic neighbors. For the film, Andrews chose to expand on the theme of cannibalism from his previous short film Little Munchkin. It was also inspired by Andrews' childhood dream of being a vampire hunter. The film stars Jaime Winstone and her father Ray Winstone. It was filmed in Ceredigion, Wales where Andrews grew up.
Andrews has directed various music videos for different musicians throughout his career. His most frequent collaborator has been Charli XCX, for whom he has directed ten music videos in total. After being approached by Warner Bros. and Atlantic Records, Andrews worked as Charli's visual director for several years—directing the music videos associated with her album True Romance. He has described his work with Charli as "taking Tumblr and internet art to the mainstream". Andrews has also directed music videos for Banks, Transviolet, Olivia Holt, Martine McCutcheon, and Jetta, among others. He directed the visuals for Little Mix's 2017 Glory Days tour.

Filmography

Feature films

Director
Production designer
YearTitleNotes
2005Mrs Henderson PresentsAssistant role
2009Gangster Exchange

Short films

Director
YearTitleNotes
2003Fangula
2009Family PicnicFeatured in the BBC Two series Made in Wales
2010Jerusalem
2010Little Munchkin
2011I'm Your ManFashion film for i-D Magazine
2012BlackFashion films for brand Sorapol
2012WhiteFashion films for brand Sorapol
2015Astrid Andersen x A$AP Ferg – WaterFashion film for brand Astrid Andersen
2016Love Birds
2016EllissFashion film for brand Elliss

Television

Director
YearTitleNotes
2010BeastHuntersTwo-part miniseries for BBC Comedy

Music videos

Director
YearTitleArtist
2007"Boogaloo"Dead Residents and Optimas Prime
2008"Scumbongo"Dead Residents
2011"Nuclear Seasons"Charli XCX
2012"You're the One "Charli XCX
2012"So Far Away "Charli XCX
2012"Cloud Aura"Charli XCX
2013"Work"Banks
2013"You "Charli XCX
2013"Waking Up Dead"Eyes on Film
2013"What I Like"Charli XCX
2013"Live in the Speaker"Mercedes
2013"Take My Hand"Charli XCX
2013"The Legendary Children"I Am a Camera
2013"SuperLove"Charli XCX
2013"SuperLove "Charli XCX
2013"SuperLove "Charli XCX
2015"Angel Eyes"Bo Rocha
2015"Mojito"Kayla
2016"New Bohemia"Transviolet
2016"I Heard Love"IV Rox
2016"History"Olivia Holt
2017The Glory Days Tour visualsLittle Mix
2017"Say I'm Not Alone"Martine McCutcheon
2018"Hangin'"Jetta
2018"Losing Control"Jetta
2018"Fool"Jetta
2019"A Lot to Give"Iris Gold