Bicoastal content studio Humble has added director and screenwriter Sasha Levinson to its commercialmaking roster. In addition to spots, Levinson is currently working with Humble on the development of short film Sydney Levy’s Sacred Things, a coming of age story that will transform into a transmedia series that uses memory recall as a departure from linear storytelling.
Levinson cut her teeth as a costumer and producer on independent films, commercials, and music videos before transitioning into directing, where she quickly became known for her keen sense of naturalism and storytelling. Over the last decade Levinson has developed and directed branded shorts Good People for Nationwide Insurance and Best Customer for Gap, directed repeat multi-spot campaigns for McDonald’s, and has worked with dozens of other brands including Starbucks, Hershey’s Kisses, Old Navy, DoubleTree Hotels, Reebok and Hyundai. She also co-wrote feature film The Bad Penny, which debuted in 2010 and racked up awards throughout the festival circuit, including the Golden Palm Award at the Beverly Hills Film Festival and Best Feature at the SOHO International Film Festival.
Prior to Humble, Levinson’s most recent production company affiliation was HELLO!. Levinson commented, “There is a sense of beautiful chaos in the commercial production world right now,” said Levinson. “I’ve never been more excited about being a commercial director because I have the opportunity to truly merge my work as a writer and narrative storyteller with my advertising content knowledge. What drew me to Humble is their clarify of vision, focused methodology, a creative, collaborative team, and a sense of unity across the New York and Los Angeles offices.” .
Review: Writer-Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood’s “Heretic”
"Heretic" opens with an unusual table setter: Two young missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are discussing condoms and why some are labeled as large even though they're all pretty much a standard size. "What else do we believe because of marketing?" one asks the other.
That line will echo through the movie, a stimulating discussion of religion that emerges from a horror movie wrapper. Despite a second-half slide and feeling unbalanced, this is the rare movie that combines lots of squirting blood and elevated discussion of the ancient Egyptian god Horus.
Our two church members — played fiercely by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East — are wandering around trying to covert souls when they knock on the door of a sweet-looking cottage. Its owner, Mr. Reed, offers a hearty "Good afternoon!" He welcomes them in, brings them drinks and promises a blueberry pie. He's also interested in learning more about the church. So far, so good.
Mr. Reed is, of course, if you've seen the poster, the baddie and he's played by Hugh Grant, who doesn't go the snarling, dead-eyed Hannibal Lecter route in "Heretic." Grant is the slightly bumbling, bashful and self-mocking character we fell in love with in "Four Weddings and a Funeral," but with a smear of menace. He gradually reveals that he actually knows quite a bit about the Mormon religion — and all religions.
"It's good to be religious," he says jauntily and promises his wife will join them soon, a requirement for the church. Homey touches in his home include a framed "Bless This Mess" needlepoint on a wall, but there are also oddities, like his lights are on a timer and there's metal in the walls and ceilings.
Writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood — who also... Read More