Tony Siggia passed away at the age of 54 on Oct. 15 after suffering a massive heart attack at his home in North Stamford, Conn. A veteran of the commercial production industry, Siggia was a senior editor at Steel Rose Editorial, New York, at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Rose, and children Lisa and Alex. Donations in Siggia’s honor can be made to two charities: the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492; and the American Diabetes Association, 300 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450….Director Alan White has signed with Bob Industries, Santa Monica. Previously, he was represented by bicoastal/international @radical.media….Bicoastal HSI Productions has teamed with Star Trak Entertainment, a record label run by The Neptunes and Rob Walker, to form STRBRST, an entertainment marketing, advertising, music and creative consulting firm targeting the youth pop culture demographic. The first project under the STRBRST banner is a partnership with Crispin Porter+Bogusky, Miami, to produce a series of Burger King-sponsored "Have It Your Way" PSAs designed to get young Americans to vote. The PSAs were directed by HSI’s Chris Robinson, Paul Hunter and Randy Krallman; Pharrel Williams of The Neptunes produced the soundtrack….Director Larry Frey, formerly with bicoastal Villains, has joined Santa Monica-based Uncle. Meanwhile, Uncle has diversified into longform fare with the opening of Uncle Film + Television; the plan is to provide opportunities for Uncle’s roster of talent to direct, write and produce features and TV projects. Executive producer Eric Bonniot and director Jason Farrand, commercial industry veterans who founded Uncle in 2003, have teamed with Robert Bauer, who has a longform pedigree, as well as extensive experience in short films to launch Uncle Film + Television….Editor Lin Polito has joined editing house Jump, New York. She was previously with Version2. Editing, New York….The Blue Rock Editing Company, New York, has added editor Sylvie Landra, who’s well known for her work in features (The Professional, The Fifth Element, The Messenger) and spots (Chanel No. 5’s "Little Red Riding Hood")…. Vivian Craig, former managing director of Red Car, Chicago, has come aboard Foundation Post, Chicago and Los Angeles, as its executive producer. The move reunites her with former Red Car editor James Lipetzky who launched Foundation earlier this year….Bicoastal Transistor Studios has added designers James Price and Matt Pyke. Price comes over from Piranha Bar, Dublin, where he was senior designer/art director. Pyke’s former roost was The Designers Republic, Sheffield, U.K….
Breakout Films and Major Takeaways From This Year’s Sundance Fest
Film wasn't the only thing on people's minds at this year's Sundance Film Festival, which comes to a close Sunday in Park City, Utah ( and online ).
The effects of the wildfires in Southern California loomed large, as did the bittersweet knowledge that this year will be the second to last Sundance based in Park City. Some films offered an escape from reality; others were a pointed reminder of the domestic and international political landscape, from transgender rights to the war in Ukraine.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the 41st edition of the festival.
The effects of the Southern California fires were deeply felt
The wildfires were still burning in parts of Los Angeles when Sundance began last week and reminders of its devastation were everywhere, even on screen. Max Walker-Silverman's "Rebuilding," starring Josh O'Connor as a cowboy who loses his ranch in a wildfire and forms a community with fellow survivors in a FEMA camp, hit close to home for many.
Filmmakers Meena Menon and Paul Gleason lost their home in Altadena where they filmed some of their zombie apocalypse movie "Didn't Die." Sundance artist labs head Michelle Satter lost her Palisades home as well. Satter had an audience of Sundance Institute donors in tears early in the festival while accepting an honor at a fundraising gala.
"It's a deeply devastating time for us and so many others, a moment that calls for all of us coming together to support our bigger community," Satter said. "As a friend recently noted, and I have to listen to this, 'Take a deep breath ... We lost our village, but at the end of the day we are the village.'"
The festival's move to another city dominated conversations
It was a topic... Read More