Rodrigo Prieto–an Oscar-nominated cinematographer for the Ang Lee-directed Brokeback Mountain and whose lensing credits also include such lauded features as Pedro Almodovar’s Broken Embraces, Alejandro González Iñárritu ‘s Babel and Julie Taymor’s Frida–has signed with Little Minx for representation as a commercials director.
Prieto is experienced in spotmaking, having shot notable commercials that include Ikea’s “Lamp” directed by Spike Jonze and American Airlines’ “New York Minute” helmed by Rupert Sanders.
Born in Mexico City, Prieto studied at Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica, a leading Mexican film school, and began his career as a still photographer, then cinematographer on commercials. Concurrently, he moved into features, gaining international acclaim with Academy Award, ASC, BAFTA and Independent Spirit nominations. He’s also been honored with Ariel Awards (Mexico’s equivalent of Oscars) and the Venice Film Festival’s Golden Osella Award. He moved to Los Angeles in 2000 after he shot Iñárritu ‘s breakthrough film, Amores Perros.
Also among his cinematography credits is the Detroit rap film 8 Mile. The movie’s saturated blues and greens and gritty textures stemmed from Prieto and director Curtis Hanson canvassing Detroit for locations and spending a lot of time talking with residents, doing numerous tests for colors and textures, and drawing inspiration from frescos by Detroit Institute of Arts’ Diego Rivera. “I had just finished shooting Frida and went to see Diego Rivera’s work in Detroit,” Prieto related. “It ended up being very inspiring for me on 8 Mile.”
“So many things I do as a cinematographer factor in to directing,” Prieto said. “I enjoy working with actors. I’m not the type of cinematographer who lets the paraphernalia of the camera take over. I acted in the theater while I was in school and really enjoyed it. I like operating the camera to be physically close to the actors as they perform. It’s about connecting with the emotion. The lighting, composition, production design, costumes, editing, sound and music, are all elements that support the transmission of that emotion to the audience. A director ties these elements together in collaboration with the creative team to bring a story to life. That is a process I find fascinating.
“I’m drawn to pieces with humanity, stories and ideas that I can connect with and find captivating,” he continued. “Like with the films I’ve worked on, in commercials I enjoy exploring any genre. As a director, I’m open and flexible for whatever comes at me.”
Prieto added that he was drawn to Little Minx by the people there, including president Rhea Scott. “I’m confident they know my strengths,” he said.
More of Prieto’s cinematography is slated to hit the big screen this year, with Oliver Stone’s Wall Street 2 and Iñárritu ‘s Biutiful.
Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance
Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.
The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.
"This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."
The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."
And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.
Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.
Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.
Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."
It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More