Roberto Cecchini of bicoastal/international The Artists Company, and John Benson, formerly of Industrial Light+ Magic, San Rafael, Calif., have launched visual effects shop Orphanage Spots, which has offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco….David Bowie has signed with bicoastal RSA USA’s Top Dog Films to direct commercials and music videos. This marks the first time that the singer/songwriter/producer/actor has formally been represented as a helmer…. Director Earle Sebastian has signed with bicoastal You Media for exclusive commercial and music video representation….Hollywood-based Orbit Productions has signed director Paul Santana…. Nonfiction spots, Santa Monica, and Paris-based Dissidents have entered into a reciprocal representation and co-production agreement. Both companies represent documentary filmmakers for commercials. Dissidents will handle spot production and representation in France for nonfiction’s U.S. roster. Conversely, nonfiction will do the same in the U.S. for the Dissidents lineup of directors….After nine years, New York-based boutique agency Dweck! is closing its doors. The agency is perhaps best known for its Cannes Gold-Lion winning ads for Dial-A-Mattress, directed by John O’Hagan of bicoastal/international hungry man. At press time, the future plans of Michael Dweck, agency chairman/creative director, were not yet known….Director Sam Raimi is again available for commercials via bicoastal Zooma Zooma, after wrapping principal photography on Sony Pictures Spiderman feature…Kieran Walsh, creative director/senior visual effects/Henry artist, R!OT Manhattan (formerly Manhattan Transfer), New York, has been named as the North American regional winner of the International Quantel Artist of the Year Award presented at last month’s Promax & BDA Conference & Exhibition in Miami…OC Post, the Orange County, Calif.-based editorial, design and finishing house, has changed its name to Stun Gun. Involved primarily in spot work, the boutique continues to be headed by president/CEO Ken Anderson….
Directors Amy+Pilar and Jose Antonio Prat Join Reform School
Boutique content production company Reform has added comedy directing duo Amy+Pilar (Amy York Rubin and Pilar Boehm) and award-winning multicultural director Jose Antonio Prat to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded entertainment.
Partners in both life and art, Amy+Pilar are know for their sharp wit and comedic timing. Their synchronicity is evident in a body of work across TV, film and commercials. Prior to joining Reform School, Amy+Pilar had been repped in the ad market by production company Knucklehead.
Amy has directed high-profile comedy sketches featuring stars like Amy Schumer, Kate McKinnon, and Sarah Silverman. On the episodic front, Amy has helmed for series such as Fresh Off the Boat, Casual, Superstore and Angie Tribeca--as well as the pilot for the hit Netflix comedy Dead to Me.
Before joining forces with Amy behind the camera, Pilar was a psychotherapist, a background that informs her ability to create fascinating characters and stage irresistible, nuanced performances. Amy and Pilar’s shared passion for comedy brought them together. Their collaboration began with a Synchrony Bank campaign, starring cult-comedy favorite Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics), and they went on to direct the pilot of the Hulu series Love, Victor. Amy+Pilar’s ad fare also includes spots for Uber’s “Go-Get” campaign and “Shift,” starring Martin Starr.
“We have been fans of Amy and Pilar for a long time,” said Ryan Ennis, executive director at Reform School. “They excel at capturing comedic performances and dialogue. Coming from the TV and L.A. comedy scenes, they’ve built a strong following and collaborated with some of our favorite funny people.... Read More