Bill Reilly, owner and executive producer of Los Angeles-based Brilliant Works, has been named executive producer for Pictures in a Row‘s commercial and digital divisions. The announcement was made by PICROW founder, director Peter Lang. Reilly will bring Brilliant Works directors Zach Braff, Michael Haldane, and Art Streiber over to PICROW.
Reilly has an extensive entertainment industry background that spans almost three decades. From his early work at Dream Quest Images, Lucasfilm, and other leading visual effects companies, Reilly went on to develop strong creative and business relationships with ad agencies around the country. He more recently served as executive producer for commercials and advertising content at animation and mixed-media production house Curious Pictures.
Over the years, Reilly has worked on a number of high-profile campaigns, including Super Bowl spots for Pizza Hut that starred Donald Trump and Fran Drescher, and production packages for Dr. Pepper, Lay’s, Coke, and other major brands. As an EP, Reilly has teamed with many talented directors–he executive produced Pella Windows’ “Elopement,” which was directed by Mike Bigelow for Y&R NY and earned a nomination for the primetime commercial Emmy Award in 1998.
Recent commercial work for PICROW includes Lang’s ongoing work for USAA (for Lowe Campbell Ewald Detroit), the latest featuring NFL football star Robert Griffin III (RG3), who introduces viewers to his hometown in Texas and his dedicated parents, both Army veterans. Lang has also completed several branded content shorts for Hyundai through Greenlight Media for Jimmy Kimmel Live. Director Peter Lydon just shot a spot entitled “Sky” starring Al Pacino for Sky Broadband and BBH-London, while Bryan Barber directed a spot for Charter Communications out of GlobalWorks. On the digital side, PICROW editor Ben Nussbaum put on his director’s cap to complete a short film for longtime client SCAN Health Plan (out of Engle + Murphy). The film, “Fragile Safety Net”, reminds doctors and other medical professionals of the healthcare obstacles often faced by the elderly.
Recent projects for Brilliant Works directors include heartfelt spots (“Danny”, “Martine”, “Rose” and “Ron”) directed by Haldane for Bayer (Energy BBDO, Chicago). Haldane has also helmed campaigns for BCAA Travel Insurance (Rethink Vancouver) and DuPont (Ogilvy & Mather New York). Braff is known for his feature and TV work, but has directed spots for Dunkin Donuts (Hill Holliday Boston), Hanes (The Martin Agency) and Head & Shoulders (Saatchi & Saatchi New York).
DGA Feature Nominees: Audiard, Baker, Berger, Corbet and Mangold
The field of feature nominees for the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards spanning two categories is set. Nominated for the DGA honor for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 are: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez, Sean Baker for Anora, Edward Berger for Conclave, Brady Corbet for The Brutalist, and James Mangold for A Complete Unknown.
The DGA also revealed the nominees for the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film. The first-time narrative feature directors are: Payal Kapadia for All We Imagine as Light, Megan Park for My Old Ass, RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys, Halfdan Ullman Tondel for Armand, and Sean Wang for Diddy.
“2024 has been a truly extraordinary year for storytelling--and today’s nominees have created audacious and unique films that expand the possibilities of cinematic excellence,” said DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter. “I am thrilled to congratulate all our nominated directors for their brilliant work, which is visionary, inspirational and speaks to the depth of the human experience. To be chosen by one’s peers is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement and what makes these nominations so very special.”
The winners will be announced at the 77th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 8.
Here’s a fuller rundown of the nominees in both DGA Award categories:
THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 (in alphabetical order):
JACQUES AUDIARD
Emilia Pérez
(Netflix)
SEAN... Read More