1stAveMachine signs directing due Vallée Duhamel for North America

Production company 1stAveMachine continues to strengthen its North American directorial roster with the addition of filmmaking duo Julien Vallée and Eve Duhamel, or as they’re more succinctly known, Vallée Duhamel.

Adhering to what they call a “high-class, lo-fi” aesthetic, the Montreal-based pair – who officially partnered up in 2013 – instill a sense of playfulness into their trademark handcrafted visuals and installations, which has resulted in eye-catching, experimental work for tech giants Google and Samsung as well as high-end brands like Hermès. “We are two people who are passionate about the whimsical subtleties and situations that we encounter in daily life, whether large or small,” Vallée Duhamel explains. “After spending hours reflecting on those subtleties and the imprints they leave on us, we like to share the results through a variety of mediums including films, photos and installations.”

Having earned notable industry honors from Adweek and D&AD during their careers, Vallée Duhamel has now found an ideal outlet at 1stAveMachine in which to hone their distinctive talents in art direction, design and filmmaking. “1stAveMachine has a wholly different approach to production,” the pair explains. “They embrace challenges and make sure that every project, no matter the constraints, receives their maximum creative effort. It’s easy to understand why all of the projects that come out of 1stAveMachine have an unmistakable stamp of quality.”

According to 1stAveMachine partner Sam Penfield, signing Vallée Duhamel for North American work formalizes what’s been a steady collaborative relationship over the years. “We remember constantly pulling their work as reference and finally asking, ‘Who is this?’ We reached out and met up five years ago and started a relationship that resulted in three super-successful collaborations and a friendship. It really seemed from both sides only a matter of time before we professionally ‘tied the knot.’ We are very proud to represent two such delightful artists and soulful people.”