Kaboom productions, headed by founder/executive producer Lauren Schwartz, has signed director Michele Atkins who this past May earned inclusion into SHOOT‘s annual New Directors Showcase unveiled at the DGA Theatre in NYC. Atkins garnered her Showcase slot largely on the strength of “Back to Basics,” her winning entry in Levi’s “Show Us The Way” competition for up-and-coming filmmakers.
Atkins joins a kaboom directorial roster consisting of Brandon Dickerson, Kent Harvey, Joe Meade, Erik Moe, Gary Schaffer, Joe Stevens, Ricki+Annie, Reynir, and Doug Werby.
“Michele is a true storyteller who creates beautiful and compelling narratives, but it was when we met in person that I really understood the depths of her talent and passion,” said Schwartz whose kaboom maintains offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles. “She’s come up through the ranks of production, and is a writer, photographer and even edits her projects as needed, all of which is a tremendous asset in today’s market. She’s a perfect complement to our director roster.”
Atkins related that she was referred to Schwartz by an agency friend who praised her work ethic. “I love that she’s intentionally kept the kaboom roster small to best serve her directors and clients, and has a very hands-on approach as an executive producer,” said Atkins whose enthusiasm for TV and film has been a constant companion since she was a child. She was the girl who stayed indoors, watching “oldies” and creating imaginary shows. At university in New York, Atkins studied documentary filmmaking and launched her career shooting and editing news segments. This rapid-fire production served her well as she transitioned into working on indie films, music videos and commercials.
Since 2006, Atkins has produced commercials for national brands such as UPS, Budweiser, Pepsi, Oscar Mayer, Hallmark, McDonald’s, Burger King, and IBM, frequently working with directors Joe Pytka and Zack Snyder. These collaborations provided an unprecedented opportunity to learn from the best in the business, and garner keen insight to serving agency and client needs.
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