Welcome to SHOOT’s fall edition Directors Series, featuring profiles of notable helmers and a look at promising new talent. Our accompanying Cinematographers Series offers DP insights into artistic trends and technological developments.
The directorial profiles encompass a wide range of work. In addition to commercials, this mix includes for several directors such fare as Webisodes, Internet shorts, targeted cable series and viral spots. The latter discipline, for instance, is reflected in director Steve Ayson’s first American ad assignment, Folgers’ “Happy Mornings,” which has taken on a word-of-mouth life of its own, putting him on the U.S. commercialmaking map and infusing the coffee client with a hip viral vibe.
Then there’s Jesse Dylan, an accomplished spot and music video director whose first major branded content endeavor, Snickers’ Instant Def series of Webisodes for BBDO and Atmosphere BBDO, New York, has scored impressively, attracting one million-plus customers to a special Web site.
Similarly Web traffic has been heavy for Sea-Doo’s series of short films, the first being Rusty Dogs directed by Jeffrey Karoff.
Then factor in The Glue Society for its MTV show The Gamekillers for BBH, New York and client Axe deodorant. Furthermore, all the directors in this edition who have diversified into varied forms of content also continue to turn out breakthrough broadcast and/or cinema commercials. The Glue Society for example helmed the lauded “March of the Emperors” for Canal+ out of BETC Euro RSCG, Paris.
In addition, this issue provides a sampling of up-and-coming directors in “From One To Several,” continuing the longstanding SHOOT commitment to identifying and giving exposure to the next generation of directing talent.
And keep in mind that the scope of the Directors and Cinematographers Series goes beyond the pages in this section. Director Terry Gilliam shares his take on filmmaking in our POV column, and this week’s Chat Room features DP Daryn Okada, ASC, who is the new president of the American Society of Cinematographers.
Enjoy the issue and, as always, we welcome your feedback.
Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance
Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.
The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.
"This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."
The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."
And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.
Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.
Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.
Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."
It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More