Production company JOJX has added the creative and directing talents of viral video agency whoisthebaldguy to its roster for creative and commercial representation in the U.S. This is the first spot representation for the team which is known for its work in stunt and prank films.
whoisthebaldguy was founded by New York-based director Michael Krivicka in partnership with producer Christopher Yoon. With an expertise in creating award-winning tie-in prank and stunt videos for corporate clients, Krivicka’s videos have reached over 3 billion viewers worldwide since he opened his first agency, Thinkmodo, in 2011. Over the past decade, Krivicka has made viral urban stunts for the Netflix films Don’t Look Up and Sweet Tooth, Sony’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, Devil’s Due by 21st Century Fox, Warner Brother’s Geostorm, and the video game Warframe by Digital Extreme, among many others. Yoon has been producing branded content, TV shows, and music videos for over 15 years, having worked with Krivicka on promo films for Sony’s Sausage Party, guest starring Seth Rogan, and the latest installment of The Ring for Paramount, which became the most watched Facebook video of 2017.
Immersive and voyeuristic, the attention-grabbing videos created by whoisthebaldguy include the heart-racing promo for Don’t Look Up, for which the team built an office, filmed a fake news report of a comet barreling towards Earth, and then hired hundreds of actors and stunt people to convince unsuspecting survey takers that a life-threatening comet strike was imminent. Through a series of hidden cameras, viewers follow along as the intensity builds to a state of panic before resolving into a dramatic comedic reveal.
“I have been aware of their stunts for years and had no idea that they were all coming from one brilliant source; once we figured that out it was fireworks ” said Jackson Morton, partner and executive producer at L.A.-based JOJX. “Their work is a breath of fresh air that we all need right now, it’s pure entertainment and their experience will be an asset to our agency partners, helping them to expand their reach and make a lot of noise.”
“JOJX has a clear understanding of where the branded content space is headed,” said Krivicka. “We have a shared belief in doing things differently–knowing that creating surprising and unforgettable stunts which take viewers on an emotional rollercoaster ride is an effective way to stand out and organically reach millions of people, not just in the U.S., but globally.”
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More