The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have delayed their next full bargaining session until June 1. The commercial industry has been keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings, with hopes that a settlement can be reached so that the fall primetime TV season isn’t compromised, causing advertisers to step back from their commitments and to possibly curtail original spot production. Fortunately, there don’t appear to be any WGA strike plans. Between now and June 1, the two sides are scheduled to tackle specific issues in smaller subcommittee, sidebar and caucus conferences….The directing team of Cole & Roy (Joe Cole and Paul Roy), formerly of RAW/Progressive, Hollywood, has come aboard Rock Fight, Hollywood….Director Elliott Lester has joined Trio Films, Venice, Calif….The Association of Independent Creative Editors (AICE) held a national board of directors meeting last week, in conjunction with its AICE Awards. Topics included preliminary discussion about expanding the organization and adding more categories to next year’s Awards, which will be presented in New York.…Editor Peter Odiorne has left Crew Cuts, New York, and joined PS 260. He will edit via the Gotham-based shop while continuing to be available to direct under The Odiorne Brothers banner, which he maintains with Jeff Odiorne, former founder/ creative director of agency Odiorne Wilde Narraway & Partners (now See, San Francisco). The Odiorne Brothers are not formally at a production house and are currently exploring their options on that front. They have been running jobs through bicoastal Moxie Pictures….Global Mechanic, Boston and Vancouver, B.C., has signed live-action feature director Mina Shum for spots. Shum’s film credits include Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity and Drive, She Said. Additionally, Nathaniel Akin, who began freelance animating with Global Mechanic in 2003, has been added to the production company’s directorial roster….Mixer/composer Chris Winston has launched ON Music and Sound, Santa Monica. The new studio will create original music, sound design and audio mixing for spots….Millennium Pictures, Toronto and Southfield, Mich., has opened an office in Santa Monica with Jonathan Miller as executive producer….
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