By Christine Champagne
SANTA MONICA—Director Sam Jones has signed with bicoastal Tool of North America for exclusive spot representation in the U.S. Additionally, Jones will garner representation in Canada via Tool’s relationship with Imported Artists Film Company, Toronto, as well as in France through Tool’s association with Paris-based Entropie. Prior to inking a deal with Tool, Jones was represented by Blink USA, the Venice, Calif.-based offshoot of Blink, London.
Jones, who joined Blink USA when the company opened last spring, is the second talent to depart the Blink USA roster in recent weeks. As previously reported (SHOOT, 10/29, p. 7), directing duo Blue Source, which is made up of Rob Leggatt and Leigh Marling, left Blink USA to sign with Bob Industries, Santa Monica. (Blink will continue to represent Blue Source for spotwork in the U.K. and Europe, with the exception of France, where Hamster, Paris, handles them.)
Word is that Blink USA is currently negotiating a possible merger or association with an established U.S. house, but that could not be confirmed at press time. Blink managing director James Studholme could not be reached for comment as SHOOT went to press.
As for his move, Jones said he deemed Tool the right fit after meeting with at least a dozen production companies. "I just really connected with Tool—just the people plain and simple," Jones said, citing company principal/director Erich Joiner and managing director Phillip Detchmendy, among others. "They seemed like people who understand where I’m trying to go."
Aside from seeking like-minded people, Jones was also aiming to find a solid company. "I think that Tool has the stability and longevity that—after [stints at] two smaller companies—I realize I desire," Jones remarked. "Plus, the [company is made up of] a group of really smart filmmakers who have the financial resources they need to be able to do good work."
DISCOVERING SAM
Jones built a name for himself as a still photographer prior to launching a career as a director with now defunct Fusion Films serving as his first commercial roost. During his three-year stint with Fusion, Jones became known as a storyteller, directing spots for clients including Commonwealth Edison, Borges and Safeco. He also directed the critically acclaimed 2002 documentary I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, which chronicled the tumultuous making of rock band Wilco’s album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
When Fusion Films shut down last spring, Jones signed with Blink USA. Among the projects he helmed during his stint with the production company was a Discover Card campaign for Goodby, Silverstein & Partners (GS&P), San Francisco, which will break early next year.
In the coming weeks, Jones will direct another round of Discover Card spots for GS&P through Tool. He also has a film project in development at a major Hollywood studio.
"His work is that of a visual storyteller," Detchmendy said of Jones, noting, "There is so much history of photographers coming into our business and getting into commercials, and I think the easy sell would be, ‘Okay, let’s do the real people casting and the documentary-style [projects].’ I want to resist what I think would be the easy sell for him and look for opportunities where he can put his [storytelling ability], his style and his eye to work."
Movie Armorer’s Involuntary Manslaughter Conviction Upheld In Fatal “Rust” Shooting
A New Mexico judge on Monday upheld an involuntary manslaughter conviction against a movie armorer in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin on the set of the Western film "Rust."
Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed asked a court to dismiss her conviction or convene a new trial, alleging that prosecutors failed to share evidence that could have cleared her.
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer in her written order noted that the armorer's attorneys did not establish that there was a reasonable possibility that the outcome of the trial would have been different had the evidence been available to Gutierrez-Reed.
The judge also rejected a request from Gutierrez-Reed that she be released from custody, saying it was moot because the request for a new trial was denied.
Marlow Sommer halted and ended Baldwin's trial in July based on misconduct of police and prosecutors and their withholding evidence from the defense in the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set outside Santa Fe.
Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer for "Rust," was pointing a gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal on a movie set outside Santa Fe when the revolver went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
A jury convicted Gutierrez-Reed of involuntary manslaughter in March in a trial overseen by Marlowe Sommer, who later sentenced her to the maximum 18-month penalty. Gutierrez-Reed has an appeal of the conviction pending in a higher court. Jurors acquitted her of allegations she tampered with evidence in the "Rust" investigation.
Prosecutors blamed Gutierrez-Reed for unwittingly bringing live ammunition onto the set of "Rust" and for failing to follow basic gun safety protocols.
Evidence that Gutierrez-Reed's... Read More