I’m a hands-on creative with over 15 years of experience producing cinematic branded films, shortform social content, and high-impact stills. I’ve led successful campaigns for brands like Jaguar Land Rover, MG, and Manchester United, specializing in fast-turnaround shoots and edits that connect with audiences.

James Millar

I’m a hands-on creative with over 15 years of experience producing cinematic branded films, shortform social content, and high-impact stills. I’ve led successful campaigns for brands like Jaguar Land Rover, MG, and Manchester United, specializing in fast-turnaround shoots and edits that connect with audiences.

Available to hire

I’m a hands-on creative with over 15 years of experience producing cinematic branded films, shortform social content, and high-impact stills. I’ve led successful campaigns for brands like Jaguar Land Rover, MG, and Manchester United, specializing in fast-turnaround shoots and edits that connect with audiences.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Film & Photography Manager at Jaguar Land Rover
January 1, 2023 - Present
Lead a multidisciplinary team of creatives, delivering high-end content across multiple sectors. Directed and delivered editorial content across digital, social, and commercial channels, ensuring brand consistency and enhancing customer engagement. Managed production schedules, budgets, and stakeholder approvals to deliver high-quality assets on time. Collaborated with marketing, design, and commercial teams to develop compelling visual narratives that elevate the brand's identity.
Video Production Lead at Jaguar Land Rover
December 31, 2022 - September 2, 2025
Created and pitched visual concepts for design, social, PR, and commercial content, translating briefs into compelling visual narratives. Directed shoots, operated camera, designed lighting setups, and led post-production including editing and grading. Delivered cinematic storytelling aligned with brand objectives across multiple platforms and ensured brand tone and visual cohesion throughout.
CG Artist & Video Editor at Jaguar Land Rover
December 31, 2017 - September 2, 2025
Produced photo-real 3D visualisations and animated films of concept vehicles using Maya and V-Ray. Executed end-to-end video editing, motion graphics, and compositing in Premiere Pro and After Effects. Implemented visual standards and QA processes to maintain brand guidelines. Partnered with design, engineering, and marketing teams to create detailed 3D assets accelerating review cycles and decision-making.
UI/UX Designer & Animation specialist at Jaguar Land Rover
December 31, 2016 - September 2, 2025
Designed and prototyped intuitive touch screen interfaces, including the ‘blade’ system and cluster for the Range Rover Velar launch. Created dynamic motion graphics and animated transitions in After Effects. Partnered with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to align solutions with brand standards and navigate technical constraints. Converted concept and production vehicles into detailed 3D assets to improve review cycles and decision-making.
Digital Artist/Motion graphics/Videographer at Circus Street
April 1, 2013 - August 31, 2013
At Circus Street, I designed and animated high-impact visual content for digital learning, collaborating with instructional designers and subject-matter experts to bring complex e-learning modules to life. Developed motion graphics, character animations, and infographics in After Effects and Illustrator, transforming technical concepts into engaging visual narratives Created interactive video tutorials and animated case studies optimized for web and mobile platforms, boosting learner engagement and completion rates Storyboarded module sequences with instructional designers and SMEs, iterating visuals to align with pedagogical objectives and brand standards Built and maintained a reusable library of animated components and templates, accelerating production workflows and ensuring stylistic consistency Incorporated user testing feedback and learning analytics to refine animations, improve accessibility, and elevate overall content effectiveness
Digital Artist/3D Generalist/Compositor/Motion Graphics/Videography at Purple Media
February 1, 2010 - December 28, 2012
- Led end-to-end 3D production for high-profile clients (O2, Vodafone, Kia, Virgin Media, Jo Malone, EE), encompassing modeling, UV/texturing, animation, lighting, rendering and final compositing - Supported the film team on-set and in-studio as a runner and assistant, coordinating equipment, managing talent logistics and ensuring smooth shoot operations - Designed and delivered VFX shots, from matchmoving and particle simulations to rotoscoping and green-screen keying, seamlessly integrating CGI into live-action footage - Crafted 2D animation and motion-graphics sequences in After Effects, enhancing branded content with dynamic titles, transitions and on-screen graphics - Architected a streamlined Maya-to-composite pipeline that reduced turnaround times by 30% while maintaining photorealistic quality - Collaborated closely with art directors, account managers and post-production teams to translate client briefs into compelling visual narratives - Optimised render settings, authored Python and MEL scripts to automate repetitive tasks, and troubleshot technical issues to maximise hardware efficiency
Freelance Creative Director / Shooter / Editor at James Millar Films
January 1, 2013 - Present
Built social-first edits and motion assets that prioritize retention and shareability. Delivered branded films, editorial content, and motion-led storytelling for clients in fashion, luxury, sport, and music.
Video Production & Photography Lead at Jaguar Land Rover
November 1, 2018 - September 30, 2023
Shot and edited over 200 documentary-style content pieces annually, supporting multiple product launches while achieving a 15% uplift in audience interaction.

Education

HND Interactive Design & Digital Media at University | Northampton, UK
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2008
BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design at Institute | Northampton College
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2004
HND Interactive Design & Digital Media at University of Northampton
September 1, 2005 - July 1, 2008
BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design & Communication at Northampton College
September 1, 2002 - July 1, 2004

Qualifications

Interactive Design and Digital Media Artist
September 1, 2006 - May 1, 2008

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment
    paper 🎬 Kill List — A Short Film by James Millar

    Revenge. Precision. Chaos. Behind the Scen​​​​​​​es of a Modern Bounty Tale.

    “Join a ruthless bounty hunter on his latest mission as he tracks down his next target in Kill List. But when the hunt becomes personal, the stakes are raised and revenge takes centre stage.” This short film is a visceral dive into a larger world—one filled with tension, grit, and unexpected turns. Written and directed by James Millar, Kill List is more than just an action piece; it’s a character-driven thriller with cinematic ambition and grassroots execution.

    Kill List is a gritty neo‑noir short thriller set in the heart of Northampton — written, directed, and shot by James Millar. Blending bold colour, tense pacing, and award‑winning cinematography, the film follows a revenge story rooted in the industrial soul of “ShoeTown.” Shot on location with a raw, atmospheric style, it captures both the grit of the streets and the precision of its craft. This gallery showcases the finished film alongside behind‑the‑scenes moments, offering a glimpse into the creative process from first shot to final cut.

    paper MG Cyberster – Studio Launch Edits

    I was commissioned by fellow creative Trigger of Triggershoots, to handle the editing for MG’s new Cyberster studio campaign. Over the course of two days, I produced three separate edits from the studio‑shot footage, shaping the content into dynamic, engaging pieces that showcased the car’s design and energy.

    My responsibilities included:

    Structuring and pacing the edits to highlight key design features

    Applying colour grading and finishing for a polished, cinematic look

    Delivering multiple versions tailored for social media rollout

    Both Trigger and the client were extremely happy with the results, with the final edits helping MG bring the Cyberster launch to life across digital platforms.

    paper Materiality – Range Rover

    Range Rover’s Materiality series reimagines what modern luxury means in automotive design, guided by seven core principles that explore sustainable, tactile, and ethically sourced materials shaping the brand’s future.

    As Creative Director and Director of the films, I was responsible for shaping the visual language of the series and ensuring each principle was expressed with cinematic clarity. My role spanned the full production process:

    Direction & Cinematography – I directed all five films, operated the camera, and designed the lighting to create a tactile, immersive aesthetic that reflected the campaign’s focus on material innovation.

    Post‑Production – I personally handled the edits and colour grading, ensuring a consistent tone and visual identity across the series.

    Collaboration – I worked closely with our CG lead, sound designer, and editor to integrate full CG elements, immersive soundscapes, and layered storytelling into the final films.

    The result was a suite of films that brought Range Rover’s Materiality principles to life — blending live action, design detail, and crafted post‑production into a cohesive narrative about the future of modern luxury.

    paper JAGUAR TCS - When Tailoring Meets Motorsports

    This exclusive collaboration between Jaguar TCS Racing and Savile Row’s legendary Henry Poole & Co brings together two worlds defined by precision, performance, and heritage. Directed, shot, and edited by James Millar, the film and gallery capture the artistry of bespoke tailoring alongside the cutting‑edge innovation of electric motorsport. From the workshop’s meticulous hand‑stitching to the racetrack’s high‑velocity drama, every frame tells a story of craftsmanship, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence.

    Director’s Statement
    This project began as a spark — the idea that the precision, discipline, and elegance of motorsport could be mirrored in the artistry of bespoke tailoring. I wanted to create more than a brand collaboration; I wanted to tell a story where heritage craftsmanship and high‑performance engineering shared the same frame.

    From concept to final delivery, I was immersed in every stage of the process. I developed the creative direction, shaped the narrative, and personally directed the shoot. I lit the scenes, operated the camera for the majority of the production, and carried the project through the edit and grade. Every choice — from the angle of a spotlight to the pacing of a cut — was made to honour both the meticulous work of Henry Poole & Co. and the relentless drive of Jaguar TCS.

    The result is a film that doesn’t just showcase a suit; it captures the shared DNA of two worlds obsessed with detail, performance, and legacy. It’s a piece I’m proud of not only for its visual polish, but for the way it embodies the craft, care, and creative intent that went into every frame.

    https://www.jamesmillarfilm.com/work/jaguar-tcs-racing-when-tailoring-meets-motorsports

    https://henrypoole.com/innovation-and-heritage-align-henry-poole-co-x-jaguar-tcs-racing-team/

    paper RANGE ROVER SV BESPOKE SADAF EDITION X RANGE ROVER HOUSE ABU DHABI

    An exclusive collaboration that celebrates Middle Eastern heritage and modern luxury. For the launch of the Range Rover SV Bespoke Sadaf Edition—limited to just 20 vehicles—our team conceived and produced every piece of social media, PR and digital-experience content on site in Dubai. From the white “glass pearl flake” exterior inspired by traditional Gulf pearl diving to the immersive retreats at Range Rover House, we captured the essence of this one-of-a-kind vehicle and the bespoke experiences designed around it.