Bicoastal/London-based Park Pictures has signed director Seb Edwards for commercial representation in the U.S. Edwards continues to be handled in the U.K. by Academy Films.
Edwards has directed multiple award-winning campaigns for brands such as HSBC, AT&T, VW and Vodafone. His work in commercials has earned multiple BTAA Awards and Gold Lions, most recently for his spots “Debris” and “Waiting To Happen” for The British Army. His new Nike campaign, “Find Your Greatness,” including the :60 “Greatness Anywhere” co-directed with Park’s Lance Acord, will air throughout the Olympics. Edwards was previously represented in the U.S. by Station Film.
Edwards’ own work reflects a sophisticated understanding of cinema and filmmaking technique.
“I admire films and commercials that are incredibly crafted, but you never feel that craft,” Edwards said. “They emotionally engage without feeling manipulative or showy.”
His emergence as a director marks the culmination of a 180-degree career transition from time in front of the camera as the star of Hope and Glory, John Boorman’s Oscar®-nominated 1987 film about a child’s adventures during the London blitz. As Edwards grew older, he discovered his true passion for creating images and directing actors, not performing himself.
Edwards began developing his directorial eye as a Fine Arts student at Leeds University in the U.K. Painting soon gave way to video installations and the storytelling roots ingrained in Edwards from his early days as a child actor began to reemerge in increasingly sophisticated video narratives. This evolution led him to direct his first short, which gained him admittance into New York University’s graduate MFA program in 2000.
During his time in New York, Edwards supplemented his visual acumen with an American indie film influence, developing a storytelling style that meshes striking visuals with a strong emotional pull. Upon returning to the U.K. post-graduation, he worked his way up through the production ranks, from runner to directing spots for Home (formerly Brave Films) in just a few short years. During this time, he directed spots for GLA (Euro RSCG London), Nokia N-Gage (Grey Worldwide) and the notable Sony Playstation “Time Crisis 3” spot.
Edwards continues to expand his storytelling output beyond the scope of commercials, having returned to shorts again with 2011’s Friday and most recently directed the music video of James Blake’s cover of the Joni Mitchell classic, “A Case of You,” featuring actress Rebecca Hall (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Prestige, The Town).
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