Epoch Films has secured filmmakers Tom McCarthy and Daryl Wein for commercial representation. McCarthy has received critical acclaim for his writing and direction work for the independent films The Station Agent, Win Win and The Visitor.
For the latter, McCarthy won the Best Director honor at the 2009 Independent Spirit Awards and was nominated for Best Original Screenplay by the Writers Guild of America. Five years earlier, he earned his first WGA Awards Best Original Screenplay nomination for The Station Agent, which premiered at the ’03 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Audience Award as well as the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. Win Win won the 2011 Humanitas Prize in the Feature Film category. Additionally, McCarthy earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for Pixar’s Up, a shared writing credit with Pete Docter and Bob Peterson.
McCarthy was recently tapped to pen the Disney sports drama Million Dollar Arm.
Meanwhile, Wein is a New York filmmaker, who directed, co-wrote, co-produced and co-starred in the indie romantic comedy Breaking Upwards, which debuted at the 2009 SXSW Film Festival to critical acclaim and was released theatrically by IFC Films. He also directed Sex Positive, about the invention of safe sex during the AIDS crisis; the film won the Grand Jury Prize at the L.A. Outfest Film Fest, and was an Official Selection at the 2008 SXSW Film Festival. Regent released the film theatrically world-wide. Wein also co-wrote and directed Unlocked, a short psychological drama. The film was an Official Selection at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. He is currently in postproduction on his second narrative feature film, Lola Versus, slated for distribution by Fox Searchlight in spring 2012. The movie is produced by Groundswell Productions, Academy Award-winning producers of Sideways and Milk.
Mindy Goldberg, partner and founder of Epoch Films, said, “Introducing unique filmmaking voices to the advertising community continues to be a guiding company principle and this signing [of McCarthy and Wein] is a good example of that principle in action.”
In addition to producing, commercials, music videos and web content, Epoch Films has previously developed and produced two feature films, Junebug, directed by Phil Morrison, and Gigantic, directed by Matt Aselton. Anne Carey (The American, Adventureland, The Savages) is now working with Goldberg on building Epoch Films’ feature and TV division. The two have a slate of projects in varying stages of development. Epoch is currently developing the feature film Low Down, with producers Albert Berger & Ron Yerxa (Little Children, Little Miss Sunshine) of Bona Fide Productions. Low Down will be directed by Epoch Films’ partner and commercial director Jeff Preiss.
Director Tim Bullock Goes ROGUE In U.K.
Director Tim Bullock has joined ROGUE Films’ U.K. roster for commercials and branded content. He continues to be handled in the U.S. market by Ruffian, in Australia by Scoundrel, in France by Division and in Germany by Tony Petersen Film GmbH.
Bullock’s work spans drama and comedy. In his own words, Bullock is “all about mining for a reaction--whether it be laughter or tears or inspiration.” He is a master of adopting a tone of voice and stylistic approach that suits the script and the message. Prior to joining ROGUE, Bullock was repped in the U.K. by Blink.
Kate Taylor, ROGUE managing director and partner, commented, “Tim Bullock has a reel that oozes confidence and craft - that there are a few big chortles to be had, just makes it for me. I’ve been a huge fan of his for years--so, naturally, I’m delighted that he’s chosen to come to Rogue--and no, I don’t need to go to Specsavers. I know exactly what I’m looking at when I look at his work. Genius! That’s what.”
Bullock said, “Throughout my time directing, Rogue has always been a name associated with rock-solid, quality work. I like that the company represents a breadth of directors with differing styles but all united by a high standard of work. Sam Brown is particularly inspiring to me. And what’s not to like about Kate Taylor? I’ve been a long time fan of hers and I can’t wait to work with her.”
Famously a “suit” in his previous life, Bullock started out as a corporate recovery consultant for KPMG and then an account director at Saatchi & Saatchi before he began to fulfill his unleashed creativity directing short films. These shorts just kept winning awards so Bullock jumped ship from the corporate world and landed fully in the world of... Read More