Joe Pytka was born on November 4, 1938 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He is a director and cinematographer, known for Space Jam (1996), Michael Jackson: Video Greatest Hits - HIStory (1995) and Let It Ride (1989).
Holds the record for most nominations for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials.
2
He bought the old Spanish castle up by Lake Hollywood that Madonna once lived in (the one she painted with bright red and yellow stripes, horrifying her neighbors) It was once Bugsy Seigel's hideout.
3
Owns West Hollywood restaurant Bastide, for which he purchased a $35,000 truffle in November 2002.
4
While flying to Sweden via Japan he got engaged to his wife Emmanuelle.
5
He made his first foreign speaking engagement in Sweden 1987 talking at The Nordic Commercial Film Festival produced by Lindy Lindh.
6
Joe Pytka is considered one of the best commercials director ever and is nicknamed The King of Cannes for all the awards he has won there.
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
McDonald's: Good Things
2015
Short
Eye
2013/II
Short
Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon
2003
Video documentary video "Just Like Starting Over"
Michael Jackson: Number Ones
2003
Video documentary videos "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Dirty Diana"
Britney: The Videos
2001
Video documentary short segment "Joy Of Pepsi"
Space Jam
1996
Michael Jackson: Video Greatest Hits - HIStory
1995
Video documentary videos "Heal the World", "The Way You Make Me Feel"
The Beatles: Free as a Bird
1995
Video short uncredited
Dangerous: The Short Films
1993
Video video "Heal The World"
The King of Ads
1991
Documentary segment "Apple commercial"
Let It Ride
1989
Thirsty Workers
1981
TV Series
Cinematographer
Title
Year
Status
Character
McDonald's: Good Things
2015
Short
Eye
2013/II
Short
Threnody
2002
Short
Thirsty Workers
1981
TV Series
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Make Your Own Superbowl Ad
2006
TV Movie
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Eye
2013/II
Short
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Renaissance Men
2012
Video short executive producer
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Good Men
2011
Short special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Man Behind the Throne
2013
Documentary
Himself
Bad 25
2012
Documentary
Himself
This Space Available
2011
Documentary
Himself
The 10 Commandments of Creativity
2001
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money
1998
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2016
Lifetime Achievement Award in Television Direction
Directors Guild of America, USA
1992
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commericals
For Hallmark: "Dance Card" and Nike: "The Bo Show".
1987
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commericals
For Henry Weinhard: "Chuck Wagon", John Hancock: "Brothers" and Pepsi Cola: "Floats".
1983
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials
For Budweiser Light: "Baseball"/"Basketball" and Henry Weinhard: "Future/Gallup".
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2007
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials
For Budweiser: "Clydesdales American Dream", Disney: "Preparation" and WTC Memorial: "Where Were ... More
2004
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials
For Gatorade: "23 vs. 39", IBM: "Prodigy" and Nextel: "Shakespeare".
2002
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials
For NYC Miracle: "The Deli"/"Skating", Disney: "Pillow Talk" and The Ad Council: "Ketchup Soup".
1996
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commericals
For Pepsi: "Diner", "Set Piece" and "Stranded".
1995
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commericals
For Nike: "Season's Song", "The Wall" and Pepsi: "Summer of Love".
1994
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commericals
For Nike: "Barkley of Seville", "Kenya" and Pepsi: "Playground".
1993
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commericals
For Hallmark: "Old Friend" and Nike: "Hare Jordan".
1991
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commericals
For Diet Pepsi: "Opera", Federal Express: "New Technology" and Nike: "Bo & Bo".
1988
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commericals
For Apple Computers: "I'm Different", John Hancock: "Fortieth Birthday" and Perrier: "Continents".
1986
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commericals
For Henry Weinhard: "Saloon", Pepsi Cola: "Archaeology" and Special Olympics: "E.T. Special ... More
1984
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commericals
For Budweiser Light: "Boxer", "Paris" and "Rodeo".
1982
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commericals
For Budweiser Light: "Football", Coca Cola: "Thirsty Workers" and Henry Weinhard: "Alaska".
Known for movies
Space Jam (1996) as Director
Michael Jackson: Video Greatest Hits - HIStory (1995) as Director
$5 Million
