Hong Kong-based director Zhang Yimou–best known in the U.S. for the stylized martial arts films House of Flying Daggers and the Jet Li-starring Hero–has secured his first stateside spot representation, landing at Lookout Entertainment, the Hermosa Beach shop headed by veteran executive producer Yvonne Bernard.
Yimou is no stranger to the commercialmaking discipline. His reel currently contains spots for such Asian market clients as Soutec cell phones, Tsing Tao Beer and Bank of China. Yimou’s credits also include a fashion/beauty commercial for Giorgio Armani fragrance Sensi, and an pitch film for what turned out to be Beijing’s successful bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Bernard said she was drawn to Yimou’s stylistic storytelling, which she feels will translate well in the American advertising market. Yimou also represents a new wrinkle for Lookout, a production house which works regularly with several freelance directors. Yimou is exclusively handled by Lookout in the U.S.
Lookout is active not only in commercials but also corporate communications, special venue fare and features. On the latter score, the company plans to produce The Sitter, a scary comedy based on the work of author R.L. Stine. The script for the film is currently being penned by Pat Proft whose credits include Scary Movie 3, Scary Movie 4 and Hot Shots! Part Deux.
Bernard noted that Lookout has a track record with Stine, an author known for his horror tales popular with kids and teens. Lookout earlier recruited feature director Joe Dante (Gremlins, Looney Tunes: Back In Action) to helm a 3-D/4-D film based on Stine’s “Haunted Lighthouse.” The film is currently being shown at Anheuser-Busch theme parks throughout the country, including Sea World, San Diego and Orlando, and Busch Gardens’ parks in Williamsburg, Va., and Tampa. The alluded to 4-D dynamic refers to sensory effects rigged throughout the theme park theater venues.
In addition to production, Lookout offers character and conceptual design services.
