From the release:

From shaping narrative arcs out of abstract commercial briefs to stretching a comedic bit well beyond its expected punchline, Lucas Ansel has an instinct for storytelling that brings every project to life.

His creative sensibility shines in stories fueled by miscommunication, unexpected turns, and unlikely connections; Ansel’s hit “The 12 Inch Pianist” was based on comedian Simon Rich’s revelry in misunderstanding, “Guy Walks Into a Bar” for the New Yorker, and was the toast of global festivals such as Ottawa and Pictoplasma. It finished its festival run with a Student Academy Award. His work for brands such as Chamberlain Coffee and Adidas show both his range as a storyteller and ability to speak to young, pop culture-conscious consumers.

Lucas Ansel dives deep into every subject he takes on, immersing himself in the details until new worlds emerge and unexpected stories begin to take shape. Whether wandering The Met, catching a striking lyric, or revisiting the childhood nostalgia of Rankin/Bass’ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Lucas Ansel finds inspiration in all kinds of places. But some of his best ideas come from nowhere at all. He makes a conscious effort to leave room for boredom, trusting that when his mind has nothing to do, it often finds somewhere unexpected to go.

“We’re always looking for artists who find unexpected ways into a story,” says Kristin Labriola, Head of Creative Development at Hornet. “In the commercial world, you only have seconds to make someone feel something, and with Lucas, his output feels instinctive – coming straight from his brain, unfiltered. You see it in the visuals, the rhythm, and the way he takes something ordinary and makes it feel more charged, more deeply human, and often pretty funny.”