BLOK: A Directing Duo's Journey from TV to Comedy, Absurdism and Beyond

Paul and Rich met in 2015 while creating what they now describe as "god awful" entertainment shows. The pair bonded over a mutual love of filmmaking, particularly comedy, and an equally intense disdain for the reality TV they were tasked with producing. It was a meeting of minds that would eventually lead to the formation of BLOK, a directing duo that has since become synonymous with absurdist, hyper-real, comedy-driven content.

"We were working on some show where a celebrity was learning to do something—probably dancing, something awful," Rich recalls. "We had to stretch it into an hour-long show. It was the stuff of nightmares, utter dross, but it was our film school of sorts."

Paul adds, "We started teaming up just to get through these mind-numbing shoots with our sanity intact."

One moment stands out as the turning point for BLOK, the moment they decided to abandon their television careers for something more meaningful: “The one that really sticks in the mind and felt like THE moment we decided to fuck it all off, was when we were freezing our arses off in the Arctic Circle and watched that lady bite the bollocks off a reindeer. It was a traditional method of castration, but we were making a scripted comedy, mockumentary-type thing and it just all felt a bit shit. The show actually came out alright in the end, but at that point it felt like we were flogging a dead horse” remembers Rich.

"We were discussing the comedic merits of this scene with the ex-head of selection for the SAS, who was on our safety detail," Paul explains. "Meanwhile, a Sami tribesman was serving us reindeer blood pancakes. That was the moment, mouth full of blood pancake, that we thought, 'Maybe it's time to try something else.'"

Rich chimes in, "The situations we found ourselves in were infinitely funnier than what we were shooting. There's an irony to it all. Maybe that's why we're drawn to absurdism."

Thus, BLOK was born, fuelled by a desire to create content that was not only funny but also rooted in the absurd and hyper-real. They vowed to approach their work with a lightheartedness that would keep their sets fun and their collaborators engaged.

We've both started as runners in TV and gradually moved up, so we’ve experienced our fair share of arsehole directors in our time,” Rich says. "There’s really no point in being a prick about things or having a big ego. We’d like to think we’re pretty low maintenance and generally good craic to work with. We think so at least… hahaha! Let’s hope that’s actually true." 

Paul agrees, adding, "This is where we find out we’ve become the thing we hate! Haha! But no, as Rich says, we make sure our sets are fun and everyone’s laughing. It’s only advertising after all. And we find that sort of ‘safe environment’ really helps the actors out. It's easier to be funny if everyone’s relaxed and enjoying themselves."

Over the years, BLOK has managed to craft the perfect short-hand when it comes to working together. "Essentially, we have the same comedic sensibilities and visual taste, so we’re almost always on the same page," says Paul. "Having two heads to discuss and develop ideas often leads to turning a concept into something entirely different."

On set, the duo divides their focus: “Paul focuses on performance and I look after the image. There’s a bit of overlap or support from each other here and there, naturally, as we might realise that there’s a funnier way of doing something or that maybe an extra bit of coverage would help the gag visually. We’re always open to tweaking things on the day, etc. But that’s how we do it and we find it keeps things nice and easy for the agency and client as they know who’s looking after what.” affirms Rich.

Their creative process begins with a thorough read-through of a brief, followed by individual brainstorming sessions. They then come together to refine their ideas, exploring new techniques and jokes to elevate the concept and maximize its potential. When it comes to making decisions, they have an unusual approach: "We gather the crew, form a ring, and chant 'BLOK, BLOK, BLOK,' before wrestling in the middle to decide the winner," Paul jokes. "But if we’re not in the mood for that, we go with a simpler rule—if one of us hates an idea, we don’t do it. If we’re indifferent, we explore it further."

BLOK’s style is characterized by absurdist, hyper-real comedy with a focus on dialogue and performance. More recently, they've been pushing their aesthetic into a more filmic space. Their inspirations are meticulously catalogued in a massive spreadsheet filled with jokes, visual gags, and impressive moments from countless films and series—a testament to their dedication to the craft.

As for the future, BLOK has had a busy year, with four new pieces of work set to be released soon. They’re also pitching new projects and planning to write their next short film. Their motivation, they admit, stems from a deeply ingrained fear of failure and bankruptcy. But it’s also driven by the years of hard work that have brought them to this point, work they wouldn’t trade for anything.

"We didn't just land straight into directing jobs," says Paul. "We’ve worked hard for it, and the experience we’ve gained is invaluable."

Rich adds, "Our background is pretty atypical for advertising. We come from long-form TV, and it takes a while to work your way up. But all that time has given us a solid foundation and kept us grounded."

For those starting out in the creative industry, BLOK offers some practical advice: skip university unless it’s a top film school like NFTS, and instead get hands-on experience. Try different roles, meet people, network, attend events, shoot shorts, make mistakes, and learn. And whatever you do, they joke, "Don’t get into comedy—there’s enough competition already."

BLOK’s journey from TV to creating their unique brand of comedy is a story of perseverance, creativity, and a willingness to embrace the absurd. Their work continues to push boundaries, making them one of the most exciting directing duos in the industry today.