Great Guns has signed director Charley Stadler for representation in the U.K., U.S., Middle East and Asia.
Describing filmmaking as his life’s playground, Stadler thus far has to his credit more than 400 commercials reflecting his versatility across diverse genres including comedy, horror, drama and action. He is one of the first directors to shoot at Europe’s most advanced virtual production studio, the Hyperbowl. Stadler is known for adding an unusual flavor to his commercial ideas for global brands including Microsoft, Heineken, Vodafone, McDonald’s, adidas, Mercedes, Garnier, and Ikea. Most recently, his work for BRLO’s “Drink Naked” earned him a Silver Cannes Lion and Berlin Commercial Awards shortlist–on top of a D&AD Wood Pencil and Silver Clio.
With an eye for drumming up viral hype for brands, with work like his hilarious spots for Doggy Dog pet food, Stadler has further honed his talents directing celebrities including FC Bayern soccer legends Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer, and Oliver Kahn, Dortmund`s Marco Reuss, as well as owner of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 autosport team, Toto Wolff. Stadler also directed the feature film Dead Fish starring Gary Oldman and Robert Carlyle, and has worked with Oscar-winning actors Sir Sean Connery and Cuba Gooding Jr., as well as Oscar nominee Sharon Stone.
The diversity of Stadler’s portfolio has earned him more than 200 international directing awards at competitions including the Cannes Lions, Epica, ADC, Arab Film Festival, Bessie, ICAD, Effie, LIA, Golden Drum, and New York Festivals.
Stadler commented, “It’s been a while since I’ve had representation in the U.K. and the U.S. I’ve lived in both countries and love their output in terms of creativity, mindset, humor and storytelling. So, for me, it was a no-brainer when Kojo (Abban, producer at Great Guns) reached out to me, and I got to chat to the Great Guns EPs in London, Los Angeles and Asia. I am flattered to be collaborating with such a cool, well-known brand such as Great Guns.”
“Charley is a whirlwind, he doesn’t understand the words we can’t do that,” said Laura Gregory, CEO and founder of Great Guns. “He pushes for creativity with his unique brand of humor and drama and is a trusted partner to many brands. That’s an important asset to have as we navigate the new world.”
Michel Waxman, managing EP of Great Guns in the U.S., added, “Charley is an ideal partner for clients hoping to stand out and make an impact! His expertise and fearlessness allows him to deconstruct comedy, narrative and tech to build back a stronger unique voice that never holds back!”
For Tarana Burke, The Sean “Diddy” Combs Case Is Another Sign Of #MeToo’s Lasting Impact
Tarana Burke says people are always asking "what's next?" for the #MeToo movement, the broad reckoning against sexual misconduct and abuse that she helped launch seven years ago.
This week, Burke, who coined the phrase "me too" decades ago in work with survivors of sexual violence and saw it go viral in 2017 with the Harvey Weinstein case, has two ready answers.
On Tuesday, the organization she leads, called 'me too.' International, announced an initiative to become truly international in scope — a so-called global network to partner with groups in 33 countries across the globe to combat sexual violence.
On the same day in a New York courtroom, the latest high-profile case was unfolding involving an influential man accused of abusing his power and privilege to inflict sexual harm: mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, who was headed to jail to await trial in his federal sex trafficking case.
In an interview, Burke said the emerging details, in which Combs is accused of a sordid array of sexual crimes, were "horrific." But she took comfort, she said, in the knowledge that it was the cultural shift resulting from #MeToo that helped bring the case to light in the first place.
Burke noted that the original lawsuit filed last November against Combs, by his former girlfriend Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, was made possible by a New York "lookback" law, the Adult Survivors Act, enabling people alleging sexual abuse to file civil suits after the statute of limitations had expired.
"The lookback law … was a direct result of survivors organizing as part of the #MeToo movement," Burke said. "All these things are connected. Survivors pushed hard that we need this law. This is directly related to the power of the... Read More