MAMA

MAMA—aka Mark Potoka and Matt Starr Spicer—are a directing duo with a knack for turning the absurd into cinematic gold. Look past the deceptively maternal name and you’ll see this duo is a comedic force, a breakfast burrito of comedy and craft so good it might make you laugh mid-bite and send bits of tortilla flying.

Former ad creatives, they started out writing big-budget campaigns for video games and beer before ditching the boardroom to shoot self-funded spec ads in their apartments. That DIY hustle shaped their signature style—dark, absurdist comedy with stunning visuals, practical effects that push reality to its limits, and a deep commitment to making dumb things look beautiful.

Since then, they’ve built a reel packed with meticulously crafted comedy for brands like Dave’s Hot Chicken, MLB, Smartfood, and Extra Gum. Beyond commercials, they just wrapped Novus, a dark sci-fi comedy short, and are developing their first feature.

MAMA’s work is the perfect blend of chaos and craft—unexpected, precise, and never boring.