CoMPANY Films–the shop under the aegis of executive producers Ron Cicero and Richard Goldstein–has signed director Ben Nakamura Whitehouse for exclusive commercial representation in the U.S. This marks the director's first commercial production house representation in the American ad market. Whitehouse has helmed comedic, production-design intense spots for Subway, Twix, X/Twitter, Amazon, Pinterest, Nissan and Skoda, among others.
Growing up alongside an engineer-minded father and an accomplished fine artist for a mother, it was almost inevitable Whitehouse would be attracted to a creative profession that encompassed a diverse set of problem solving skills. “I had very little exposure to TV growing up, but was lucky to find a steady source of new and classic movies–which I loved,” said Whitehouse. “So when I walked into a London office as an assistant in my late teens, I really had a very limited idea of what commercials were–or how they could be related to the movies. Fortunately the office I walked into was Michel Gondry’s, at the very height of his commercial career. I was like, ‘Wait, you can do commercials like that?!’ AND, get paid for it?’ It was all so incredibly glamorous. For a kid who grew up with a ceramics kiln in his kitchen, I was immediately hooked.”
Whitehouse put his head down and proved his worth as a ghost writer for some major spot directors, a unique kind of film school that ultimately led him to the director’s chair. “I absolutely love collaborating with agencies to continue to evolve the creative; to create unique settings, often heavily art directed, to elevate the creative and make sure whatever genre we are working in–westerns, adventure, monster sci-fi, etc.–that we bring an authenticity to the screen,” he said. “Not so much keeping it true-to-life, but rather true to the cinematic style.”
Whitehouse has assorted examples in his library of work that embody this authentic-minded approach. One recent standout is a western stunt tribute for IRN-BLU, a 120 year old Scottish drink. “We must have looked at 30 classic cowboy films, plus more sardonic takes like The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and Blazing Saddles,” said Whitehouse. “We were inspired by all of them, incorporating little Easter eggs into each scene, right down to the final frame in the product shot. Audiences appreciate this ‘pop-culture authenticity’ and can sense the care it took to make–while still knowing it’s a commercial message.”
Whitehouse continues to be repped by Stink Films in the U.K., Germany, the Czech Republic, Brazil, China, Singapore and Japan.
“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 yearโs 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 Zemeckisโ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwoodโs 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.
โAt the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,โ said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. โWe look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.โ
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 Larraรญn, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the worldโs most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More