Absolute has promoted Chris Batten to managing director. Batten, known as “Chopper” to some, joined Absolute as executive producer in 2022, following more than 20 years at The Mill. He’s proved to be an integral part of the production team, spearheading new business pipelines and bringing a wealth of industry knowledge to the table.
Batten has built a career dedicated to cultivating relationships with leading agencies, production companies and directors around the globe, working with key talent across award-winning projects. With a continued focus on elevating Absolute’s end-to-end offering industry wide, Batten in his new role he will also provide strategic input into the studio’s plans for the future, which include an office move and a complete tech overhaul.
Batten said, “It’s been brilliant to work with such a talented and dedicated team. Even in a difficult market, we’ve continued to gather momentum, opening doors to some fantastic opportunities. We’ve some exciting times ahead and as MD, I’m wholeheartedly looking forward to developing further what is an already highly regarded and respected studio.”
Absolute CEO David Smith added, “Chris has quickly made a lasting impression on the entire team. Not only is he passionate about the work, he is also widely respected within the industry and has such a calm and considered approach. I look forward to having him by my side as we look towards Absolute’s next chapter.”
First-Time Feature Directors Make Major Splash At AFI Fest, Generate Oscar Buzz
Two first-time feature directors who are generating Oscar buzz this awards season were front and center this past weekend at AFI Fest in Hollywood. Rachel Morrison, who made history as the first woman nominated for a Best Cinematography Oscar---on the strength of Mudbound in 2018--brought her feature directorial debut, The Fire Inside (Amazon MGM Studios), to the festival on Sunday (10/27), and shared insights into the film during a conversation session immediately following the screening. This came a day after William Goldenberg, an Oscar-winning editor for Argo in 2013, had his initial foray into feature directing, Unstoppable (Amazon MGM Studios), showcased at the AFI proceedings. He too spoke after the screening during a panel discussion. The Fire Inside--which made its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival--tells the story of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (portrayed by Ryan Destiny), a Black boxer from Flint, Mich., who trained to become the first woman in U.S. history to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the sport. She achieved this feat--with the help of coach Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry)--only to find that her victory at the Summer Games came with relatively little fanfare and no endorsement deals. So much for the hope that the historic accomplishment would be a ticket out of socioeconomic purgatory for Shields and her family. It seemed like yet another setback in a cycle of adversity throughout Shields’ life but she persevered, going on to win her second Gold Medal at the next Olympics and becoming a champion for gender equality and equitable pay for women in sports. Shields has served as a source of inspiration for woman athletes worldwide--as well as to the community of... Read More