Hailing from Los Angeles, Devon Dickson’s film lineage is straight out of Hollywood royalty. His grandfather was Warner Brothers’ Head Costumer during the golden era (so, you know, no big deal), and his dad was the special effects mastermind behind small-time flicks like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters, and Blade Runner. Naturally, Devon took the cinematic baton and sprinted across the pond to London, where he graduated from the fancy-schmancy Royal College of Art. Since 2000, he’s been globe-trotting and filming lifestyle ads in 30 countries and 14 languages, making him the poster child for “Think globally, act locally, and speak a lot of languages awkwardly.”

But Devon’s real claim to fame? Babies and kids. Devon is the Baby Whisperer Extraordinaire (yes, it’s a thing). Devon’s wrangling giggling, gurgling babies and getting them to hit their marks like pros. Billions (okay, maybe hundreds of millions, but who’s counting?) of parents have been charmed by his magical ability to turn fleeting, tender moments into profound stories. His crowning moment? Directing the Pampers “Journey of Firsts” commercial that aired during the Super Bowl, and made more people cry than the ending of Marley & Me. The success of this project wasn’t just in its beautiful visuals, but in how deeply it resonated with families around the world. Translated into eight languages, it’s a testament to the shared experience of parenthood, the sleepless nights, the joy-filled milestones, and the pure, unfiltered emotions that only a child can bring out. It’s these connections that Devon treasures most— no matter who we are, we’re all just trying to hold on to those precious firsts.

In the world of impossible scripts, Devon reigns supreme. Babies performing Kung Fu? Check. Talking babies interacting with CGI creatures on a virtual set? Easy. Twenty babies all doing something cute at the same time. No problem. WC Fields once said, “Never work with children or animals,” Devon clearly didn’t get the memo, or he did and thought, “Hold my juice box.” “Dogs and toddlers? What could be more magical than two unpredictable, drooling, and totally living-in-the-moment creatures? It’s pure gold,” he says, probably while dodging a flying sippy cup.

What’s his secret? Well, besides having the uncanny ability to predict what a kid will do next (probably cry or need a change), Devon credits being the dad of four little rascals as his edge. His youngest is four, so you can bet he’s deep in the trenches of tantrums and toddler shenanigans. “Parenthood is like live-action research. It keeps me sharp, constantly reminding me of the emotional rollercoaster all parents are on— I love connecting with that truth in my work.”