While hindsight is 20/20, I wouldn’t trade it for the 32/50 vision I’ve enjoyed as a contributor to SHOOT’s coverage of the industry for 32 of the past 50 years. This publication continues to be a great perch from which to view an evolving community both in terms of art and commerce.
SHOOT helped put much of this change into perspective over the years, most recently with its “Then, Now and Looking Ahead” series. I’ve been privileged to author these pieces and they have honed my 32/50 vision with the realization that education is an ongoing process. Personally the process of educating myself about the business began when I joined SHOOT as a reporter. I recall two of my mentors being Mike Koelker and Frank Tuttle. Koelker was creative director at Foote, Cone & Belding San Francisco. He served as the lead creative on the Levi’s business during the late 1970s and remained so until his death in the mid-1990s.
Mike freely provided me with insights into the creative process, the agency side of the business and relationships with production companies. His classic Levi’s 501 Blues campaign was often imitated but never equaled.
I met Frank Tuttle when he headed The Film Tree as its exec producer; he later served as national AICP president. Tuttle, who passed away in ’94, was a big believer in the AICP and its role in opening up meaningful dialogue with agencies and advertisers. He was a unifying force within the production house community. Frank extended this inclusiveness to me and assorted others. On and off the record, he would share information about and insights into the inner workings of the business. His frankness with me was rooted in the belief that an informed press would ultimately help the industry cause. I have always appreciated–and with the benefit of hindsight today, value even more today–his forthrightness and caring about the business and its people.
Both Frank and Mike have left us a lasting legacy, which arguably provides a more crystal clear view of the future than any current visionary can offer. The qualities that Frank and Mike embodied–taste, creativity, integrity, caring, effectively communicating, valuing the talent of the artist enough to give that person creative latitude to do what he or she does best–are what’s integral to future success, whatever the form of content be it traditional or nonconventional.
We owe Mike, Frank and so many others who are remembered in this special edition of SHOOT a tremendous debt of gratitude.
Happy Anniversary.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Reach Divorce Settlement After 8 Years
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, ending one of the longest and most contentious divorces in Hollywood history but not every legal issue between the two.
Jolie and Pitt signed off on a default declaration filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, saying they have entered into a written agreement on their marital and property rights. The settlement was first reported by People magazine.
"More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt," Jolie's attorney, James Simon, said in a statement. "She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over."
The filing says they give up the right to any future spousal financial support, but gives no other details. A judge will need to sign off on the agreement. An email late Monday night to Pitt's attorney seeking comment was not immediately answered.
Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, were among Hollywood's most prominent pairings for 12 years, two of them as a married couple. The Oscar winners have six children together.
Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, after a private jet flight from Europe during which she said Pitt physically abused her and their children. The FBI and child services officials investigated Pitt's actions on the flight. Two months later, the FBI released a statement saying it would not investigate further, and the U.S. attorney did not bring charges.
A heavily redacted FBI report obtained by The Associated Press in 2022 said that an agent provided a probable cause... Read More