Backyard Productions has added directors Mac Eldridge and John M. Lopez to its roster for commercial representation in the U.S. Prior to joining Backyard, both filmmakers were most recently working freelance, independently taking on projects.
Eldridge is a multidisciplinary director with an extensive background in crafting films, branded content, and commercials. Known for bringing his visual style and narrative-driven storytelling to the sporting industry, Eldridge has been sought out by leading agencies and brands–the latter including The PGA Tour, Shell, Pandora, Bridgestone, Avis, and Chobani. He has directed renowned athletes such as Tiger Woods, Ja Morant and John Daly.
In his 16-year directorial career, Lopez has lent his unique vision and immersive style to music videos and feature films, while also producing and directing commercials for brands such as Nike, McDonald’s, Canon, DirecTV, Radio Shack and Michelob.
In addition to directing online documentaries for Cadillac, Glenfiddich, and Heineken, Lopez has written and directed three feature films: The Inquisition of Camilo Sanz, which was acquired and released by HBO Latino; The Hudson Tribes, acquired and distributed by The Orchard and released on Amazon Prime; and most recently Paradise City.
“We work with brands and agencies that continually push the envelope, and that leaves it on us to reinforce their efforts with the top creative talent and directorial firepower,” said Backyard CEO Kevin Allodi. “Mac is incredibly well-versed across formats, and his passion for the craft shines in every project he undertakes. His ability to deliver authentic performances across talent while going above and beyond expectations is second to none.”
Backyard EP, head of sales Rich Schafler described Lopez as “an innovative, vibrant director overflowing with ambition and vision that he brings to the table in every endeavor. He is not only an inspired commercial director who’s worked with some of the most recognizable global brands, but also skilled at creating compelling long-form stories that leave audiences captivated.”
Eldridge and Lopez join a Backyard lineup which also includes Greg Popp, Jeff Aron Lable, Xander Strohm, Julia Ngeow, Paul Stone, Patrick Creadon, Kanyessa McMahon, Jasmin Kuhn, Lorenzo deGuia, and Eric Kiel.
Juliette Welfling Takes On A Musical, A Crime Thriller, Comedy and Drama In “Emelia Pérez”
Editor Juliette Welfling has a track record of close-knit, heartfelt collaboration with writer-director Jacques Audiard, a four-time BAFTA Award nominee for Best Film not in the English Language--starting with The Beat That My Heart Skipped in 2006, then A Prophet in 2010, Rust and Bone in 2013, and Dheepan in 2017. He won for The Beat That My Heart Skipped and A Prophet.
Welfling cut three of those features: A Prophet, Rust and Bone, and Dheepan. And that shared filmography has since grown to most recently include Emelia Pérez, the Oscar buzz-worthy film from Netflix. Welfling herself is not stranger to Academy Award banter. In fact, she earned a Best Achievement in Film Editing Oscar nomination in 2008 for director Julian Schnabel’s The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
Emelia Pérez is a hybrid musical/drama/thriller which introduces us to a talented but undervalued lawyer named Rita (portrayed by Zoe Saldana) who receives a lucrative offer out of the blue from a feared drug cartel boss who’s looking to retire from his sordid business and disappear forever by becoming the woman he’s always dreamt of being (Karla Sofía Gascón in a dual role as Manitas Del Monte/Emilia Pérez). Rita helps pull this off, orchestrating the faked death of Del Monte who leaves behind a widow (Jessi, played by Selena Gomez) and kids. While living comfortably and contently in her/their new identity, Pérez misses the children. Pérez once again enlists Rita--this time to return to family life, reuniting with the kids by pretending to be their aunt, the sister of Del Monte. Now as an aunt, Pérez winds up adopting a more altruistic bent professionally,... Read More