Editor Ben Longland, formerly of Nomad Editing Company, Santa Monica, has joined bicoastal Cosmo Street. His credits over the years include spots for such clients as Burger King, Toyota, Honda, Lexus, Cadillac, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Coors, Audi and Nike.
Besides these major advertisers, Longland has also made his mark with work for smaller scale advertisers, such as the San Francisco Zoo for which he edited “Tail,” directed by Harry Cocciolo of bicoastal Tool of North America for BBDO West, San Francisco. That spot made SHOOT’s “The Best Work You May Never See” gallery last year and helped earn Cocciolo–who at the time was transitioning from an agency creative to a directorial career–inclusion in SHOOT’s 2005 New Directors Showcase.
Longland has cut the work of assorted helmers ranging from Cocciolo to the Traktor collective to Roman Coppola, Tony Kaye, Martin Granger, Andrew Douglas, David Dobkin, Riess/Hill and Michael Bay.
Longland’s current reel includes commercials for Apple, Miller Lite, Sierra Mist, Sony PlayStation, Wrangler Jeans and ESPN.
He said he was drawn to Cosmo Street by its people’s “sense of energy and excitement to do really creative work.” Longland said he’s always enjoyed the diversity and intensity of commercials, working with good directorial and creative talent. “Every job is a unique challenge and requires a fresh approach,” he related. “There’s the technical aspect, but you also have to have passion.”
A native Londoner, Longland moved to Southern California with the goal of becoming an editor. He first established himself at Rock Paper Scissors, Los Angeles, before moving over to Nomad.
DGA Feature Nominees: Audiard, Baker, Berger, Corbet and Mangold
The field of feature nominees for the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards spanning two categories is set. Nominated for the DGA honor for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 are: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez, Sean Baker for Anora, Edward Berger for Conclave, Brady Corbet for The Brutalist, and James Mangold for A Complete Unknown.
The DGA also revealed the nominees for the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film. The first-time narrative feature directors are: Payal Kapadia for All We Imagine as Light, Megan Park for My Old Ass, RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys, Halfdan Ullman Tondel for Armand, and Sean Wang for Diddy.
“2024 has been a truly extraordinary year for storytelling--and today’s nominees have created audacious and unique films that expand the possibilities of cinematic excellence,” said DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter. “I am thrilled to congratulate all our nominated directors for their brilliant work, which is visionary, inspirational and speaks to the depth of the human experience. To be chosen by one’s peers is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement and what makes these nominations so very special.”
The winners will be announced at the 77th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 8.
Here’s a fuller rundown of the nominees in both DGA Award categories:
THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 (in alphabetical order):
JACQUES AUDIARD
Emilia Pérez
(Netflix)
SEAN... Read More