The Sweet Shop has signed director Iain Mackenzie for global representation. His credits span such clients as Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Sears, Campbell’s, Visa, DOW, Qantas, Chrysler, Citigroup and Gatorade. He had previously been handled by Paydirt Pictures.
Born in the U.K., Mackenzie studied film and received a degree in Photographic Arts at Regent Street Polytechnic in London. While there, he took advantage of the school’s exchange programs and got a chance to explore numerous European countries while collaborating with students and artists from abroad. Since then, his love of travel and lush, organic style has translated to a slew of poignant, visually stunning ad campaigns that have been shot in more than 60 different countries across six continents.
An accomplished photographer, DP as well as a director, Mackenzie said he was drawn to The Sweet Shop by “the people. Speaking with the management team, I could see how well they worked together across the world.”
Mackenzie added, “The global aspect is important. Joining The Sweet Shop offers me an exciting opportunity to work on many different types of projects. I am positive they will have a great effect on my work, opening new possibilities while retaining the essence of what has always existed in my career.”
Laura Thoel, managing director of The Sweet Shop LA, said she has “admired Iain’s work for many years. In fact, lost quite a few jobs to him. In all seriousness, what drew me to Iain is his ability to capture a vast cinematic scope while also telling an evocative story.”
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More