MPC, a Technicolor Creative Studio, has restructured its global leadership team, appointing several new key hires. Following the spin-off of Technicolor Creative Studios in September, listing on the Paris Euronext stock exchange, this is a strategic move to strengthen the studio presence across the entertainment VFX industry globally.
MPC’s executive leadership will be led by global president Jean-Paul (JP) Burge, a seasoned executive whose career to date has specifically focused on connecting the world’s top creative talent with AAA brands. JP brings proven experience scaling creative service businesses worldwide, with a deep knowledge of the international business landscape, after several years as the head of BBDO Asia. His focus will be client and operations oriented, ensuring MPC retains its reputation as a top creative partner for entertainment studios, streaming brands and Hollywood directors.
JP will be supported by executive in charge–client services, Stephanie Allen who joins from Paramount Pictures where she was head of VFX. Allen has a legacy of working with MPC as a client, a perspective that enables her to focus on MPC’s client service, in addition to bringing VFX industry expertise to this pivotal new role.
The delivery of MPC’s film and episodic will be led by newly appointed global head of production Chris Burn, a notable VFX industry veteran with over two decades of experience in delivering large-scale productions. Burn joins the MPC team after 18 years at DNEG, with creative credits including Alien vs Predator, Batman Begins and The Matrix Reloaded.
The suite of new executives join at an exciting time for MPC, which has delivered over 30 feature film and episodic projects this quarter, including Disney’s Pinocchio, HBO’s hit series House of the Dragon, Hocus Pocus 2, Disenchanted, and the Netflix release, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
JP will report to CEO of Technicolor Creative Studios, Christian Roberton, who commented, “Appointing Jean-Paul as president is a strategic investment for MPC following our spin-off last September. Jean-Paul has extensive experience running international creative businesses and has worked with the biggest names in entertainment throughout his storied career. He will be supported by Stephanie Allen, a stellar executive from Paramount who will focus on strengthening our client services capabilities, and Chris Burn, whose unparalleled expertise will be a key asset for the ambitious visual effects we are producing every day for Hollywood. This is a winning team, and I couldn’t be more excited to be writing the next chapter of MPC with them.”
JP added, “I am thrilled to be joining MPC, an iconic VFX leader in film and episodic, and an incredible global team of visual artists as Technicolor Creative Studios embarks on a dynamic new independent chapter. Alongside the new executive team, my focus as president will be to build upon the brand’s leading reputation for quality in the entertainment industry, while scaling excellent client service and the business worldwide.”
“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