By Robert Goldrich
NEW YORK --Noted U.K. production house Thomas Thomas Films is opening an office in New York. A prime catalyst behind the decision to launch a U.S. operation was the increasing amount of American work being done by director Kevin Thomas, who founded the London company with managing director Philippa Thomas in 2000.
In recent months, Thomas has directed jobs for Citibank through Fallon, Minneapolis, and the Oxygen network via New York agency Toy. Facilitating those jobs was New York-based executive producer Jenny Gadd, who now heads Thomas Thomas’ stateside shop. Gadd formerly served as exec producer at the Manhattan office of bicoastal/international Believe Media. Prior to that, she had a seven-year tenure producing at Fallon–the first six at the agency’ s Minneapolis headquarters, and the following year at its New York office.
Director Thomas gained a high profile stateside several years ago for his work on the Citibank identity theft campaign for Fallon, which included “Outfit,” winner of the coveted primetime spot Emmy Award in ’04.
Plans additionally call for Thomas Thomas’ New York shop to serve as a springboard into the American market for new directorial talent that the London office is developing, such as director Jim Gilchrist, who joined the company in October ’05. Earlier Gilchrist had been directing via since shuttered production house Small Family Business, London, which was helmer Ringan Ledwidge’s shop. (Ledwidge has since teamed with director Daniel Kleinman in an as yet unnamed London production company.) Gilchrist first established himself on the agency side. He spent five years at Fallon, London, where he shot numerous test films This in turn inspired Gilchrist to attend the International Film School in Rockport, Maine. His directorial credits over a relatively brief span include spots for such clients as the BBC, Coca-Cola, Holsten, Mars, Nike, Skoda and The Sunday Telegraph.
Gadd noted that Thomas Thomas also hopes to bring a U.S.-based director into the fold at some point, but the company is taking its time and intends to be very selective.
Park Pictures Signs Director Rachel Morrison
Park Pictures now represents director Rachel Morrison for commercial filmmaking. Morrison first came into prominence as a cinematographer, working on indie features, television, and blockbuster hits, which put her on the path toward her directing career. Her feature film directorial debut, “The Fire Inside,” is set for wide theatrical release by MGM on Christmas Day 2024.
Morrison has a background in photojournalism and a master’s degree from the American Film Institute. She made history as the first woman nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography for her work on “Mudbound,” directed by Dee Rees. Morrison was also the first woman to lens a Marvel film, “Black Panther.” She also served as cinematographer for hit movies like “Dope,” “Fruitvale Station,” and the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary “What Happened Miss Simone?”
As a director, Morrison has helmed many campaigns for brands like IKEA, Netflix, Gap, Michelob Ultra, Ford, a spot for Nissan starring Brie Larson, and a Coach ad starring Michael B. Jordan. She also directed many episodes of television for shows like “The Mandalorian,” “The Morning Show,” “American Crime Story: Impeachment,” “Hightown,” and “American Crime.”
“I believe in humanity above all else,” remarked Morrison. “Park Pictures similarly puts emotional and relatable storytelling first. Everyone I’ve met there is driven to push the envelope forward and create memorable and visual films. I’m excited to sign with Park and look forward to furthering my commercial career with them.”
Jackie Kelman Bisbee, founding partner of Park Pictures, added, “Her work is at once grounded and elegant. She deeply understands everyone’s process both behind the... Read More