Filmmaker Paul Stone has signed with Superlounge for exclusive U.S. spot representation. Stone’s first short film Tales of Times Square took the Best Documentary prize at multiple festivals including the LA Shorts Film Fest. His latest short, Man Under–which examines the rise in NYC subway suicides–had its world premiere at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival.
In the commercial arena, Stone is known for visually rich imagery and docu-style storytelling. Recent spot work includes Procter & Gamble’s “Zombie” (Publicis), Fidelity Investments’ “Dream Job” (Fidelity Communications & Advertising) and Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ “More Than Tired/Sleep” (Scout Advertising). The bicoastal director was previously represented for commercials by Morgan Spurlock’s Warpaint Films.
Brooklyn-born Stone began his career as an Avid editor at Ridley Scott & Associates, cutting spots and music videos for the likes of Luke Scott and Michael Moore, and working with agencies including Crispin Porter + Bogusky (Truth.com) and Leo Burnett (Fiat). His keen eye for compelling, visual storytelling made for a seamless transition to directing. Stone began helming spots through his production company Firebrand Films, and went on to direct projects for Instagram, Polaroid and Craftsman, among others. In addition to Tales of Times Square and Man Under, Stone’s shorts include The Prince of Elizabeth Street and The Boombox Project, which was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick. Of his diverse projects, Stone said, “My films tend to be hybrids. My docs feel like narrative films and my narrative films seem like docs.”
Currently, Stone is shooting the feature film documentary Mulberry, which explores the people and places of Little Italy that inspired Martin Scorsese’s film Mean Streets. “I am an Italian-American, Sardinian to be exact. Storytelling is in our DNA,” said Stone. “I grew up in Brooklyn and we hung out on street corners and told stories day and night. We raise our voices, and use our hands a lot when we speak. It’s very entertaining and visual. I guess that is where my gift for storytelling really originated.”
Stone comes aboard a Superlounge directorial roster that includes company partner Jordan Brady, Daniel Sheppard, Brett Wagner, Dane Hanson, Jeff Aron Lable, Patrick Bergh and the helming duo Jacob Slade.
