The directorial duo Peter Martin–consisting of Peter Livolsi and Martin Dix–has joined Imperial Woodpecker. The helming team had been with The Sweet Shop and gained initial recognition back in 2006 with inclusion in SHOOT's New Directors Showcase when they were with harvest….While its feature producing debut–director Errol Morris' critically acclaimed documentary Tabloid–is slated to open in theaters on July 15, Moxie Pictures has broadened its theatrical film scope with its first narrative feature, Austenland, which began filming on location in the U.K. today (7/8). A romantic comedy, Austenland is the big screen adaptation of author Shannon Hale's novel about Jane Austen-obsessed contemporary heroine Jane, played by Golden Globe award-winner Keri Russell. The film marks the directorial debut of Jerusha Hess who co-scripted the indie hit Napoleon Dynamite with her husband and writing/producing partner, director Jared Hess. Austenland is produced by Stephenie Meyer (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, Breaking Dawn Part 2, The Host) through Fickle Fish Films, the production company of Meyer and Meghan Hibbett, and Moxie Pictures' Gina Mingacci. Executive producers are Robert Fernandez and Dan Levinson of Moxie Pictures and co-producer is Jane Hooks (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Bronson). Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre, Gentleman Broncos), Meghan Hibbett, and author Hale are associate producers. Creative talent on board includes cinematographer Larry Smith, BSC (Eyes Wide Shut, Bronson) and Emmy Award winner and BAFTA-nominated production designer James Merifield (Little Dorrit, Brighton Rock)….Definition 6, a unified marketing agency, has hired Bob English to run its motion design group in New York. He will be responsible for branding, design and creative direction for clients in the postproduction and motion design departments at Definition 6, reporting directly to managing partner Rob Ortiz. English most recently served as a design consultant for clients in media and entertainment via a company he founded in 2001 called Thebritpack. Before founding Thebritpack, he acted as executive creative director of the media and entertainment/brand identity group at Razorfish after its merger with Lee Hunt Associates in December 1999. English joined the New York office of Lee Hunt Associates in '97. Back in '85, he co-founded English+Pockett (UK) with broadcast designer Darrell Pockett, building it up to a renowned branding and design agency. Earlier English was head of design at Channel 4 (UK). He began his career in the BBC graphic design department….Design/live action/motion graphics studio Favorite Color has added creative director Steve Weinzierl and art director Brian Finney. This is Weinzierl's second tour of duty with the company; he was an original member of the shop's creative team back in '07. Finney is new to Favorite Color….
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