Name Laurence Shanet | Role Director | |
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Spouse Alyssa Sutherland (m. 2012) | ||
Laurence Paul Shanet (born 1 October 1976) is a U.S. commercial director and film director, also known under his working moniker Kranky. He has also directed music videos, internet content and stage plays, and worked at various times as a writer and producer, in both the advertising and entertainment industries. His work has won the 2004 Young Director Award at the Cannes Lions International Festival (sponsored by Commercial Film Producers of Europe), and is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (via their joint award with the Association of Independent Commercial Producers).
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Overview
Shanet was born on 1 October 1976 in New York City, the son of conductor and composer Howard Shanet (1918–2006) and neurophysiologist Bernice Grafstein Shanet. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and The Johns Hopkins University, where he studied film, as well as writing and psychology. In 2012, he married long-time girlfriend Alyssa Sutherland.
Originally, the name "Kranky" represented Laurence Shanet and his directing partner David M. Rosenthal (director) (director of the movie Janie Jones, 2010) up to their series of spots for Master Cabbie (2003); since their 2003 parting, "Kranky" has been kept as Laurence Shanet's working moniker and production company name. He is sometimes also credited as "Laurence Shanet" or "Larry Shanet".
Known best for his commercial work, he has directed commercials for Pepsi, Volkswagen and Starburst, among others. His work has been seen in most of the industry's major awards shows, and is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, via their joint award with the Association of Independent Commercial Producers.
He is also known for various projects in the entertainment world. He was the Head Writer and co-creator of the animated series "Badtime Stories" (a.k.a. "8:37"), and, in 2002, he directed the popular Off-Broadway play "Connections", a comedy about internet dating.