Where The Buffalo Roam (WTBR) has signed Venezuelan writer and director Victor Ridaura to its roster of commercial filmmaking talent. The L.A.-based Ridaura has helmed brand campaigns for the likes of DIRECTV, AT&T, MANGO, and Sony. Through his narrative work, he explores themes of identity and belonging, particularly as they pertain to the Latino and immigrant experiences in the U.S.
Ridaura’s inventive scripts and short films have garnered recognition from festivals and organizations around the world, including Screencraft’s Short Screenplay Competition, Slamdance Screenplay Competition, and New Filmmaker LA: InFocus Latinx & Hispanic Cinema shorts presented by the Academy. In addition, he was a finalist for the Walt Disney Television Directing Program; and a semifinalist for Lena Waithe’s Rising Voices Season 2 with his short thriller script about a Latino immigrant, Cálmate, Mija. Ridaura is an alum of Ryan Murphy’s HALF TV Directing Initiative, where he shadowed director Loni Peristere on the set of the 100th episode of American Horror Story, and shadowed director Stella Meghie for two episodes of the BET+ show The First Wives Club.
Most recently, Ridaura was selected as a finalist for the 2022 Commercial Directors Diversity Program (CDDP), a program created by the AICP and DGA to increase representation of minority directors in commercials, and was also selected to take part in CDDP’s 50/50 Honorable Mentorship Program.
Ridaura’s commercial work includes experience as a DP on projects all over the world. Through his self-described “purposeful” style, Ridaura utilizes precise compositions, production design, lighting, and costuming to create emotional ties for the audience. Prior to joining WTBR, Ridaura was repped by Shooters.
Jeff Blodgett, WTBR executive producer, said of Ridaura, “His strong DP skills, combined with a very authentic filmmaking style, makes his work as a director very emotive.”
“The WTBR team is so fun, hip, and welcoming,” added Ridaura. “At WTBR, they’ve created an environment that I’m confident will foster my vision as a director, allowing me to form strong bonds with our agency partners, and deliver pieces that will surpass clients’ expectations.”
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More