Veteran producers Mara Milićević and John Duffin have teamed to launch Emerald Pictures, a Los Angeles-based production company. The new venture opens with a directorial roster that includes Kosta, Rodney Lucas, Peter O’Brien, Jennifer Roberts, and Nathan R. Smith who all gain their first U.S. commercial representation.
Raised in Los Angeles in an entertainment family, Milićević is an experienced agency producer who began her career in film and television before transitioning into the world of advertising. She has produced work for brands including Apple, Facebook, BMW, and Land Rover, and worked for agencies including Media Arts Lab, Chiat/Day, 72andSunny and kbs+, where she served as head of production.
Hailing from Ireland, Duffin emigrated to the U.S. in his teens and later began a career in production. After forging his path as a line producer for many of the most iconic music videos of the ‘90s, he joined Epoch Films where he worked for just under two decades as head of production and then executive producer. Duffin went on to help build Framestore Pictures, a production company under the umbrella of Oscar-winning global company, Framestore.
Milićević said, “John’s background in nurturing and guiding directors’ careers and my experience as an agency producer with clients like Apple and BMW, creates a perfect melding of worlds where, with the highest standards for both production value and the production process, we are able to tastefully bring inspiring ideas to life.”
Emerald’s lineup of filmmakers includes emerging and established talent, from the U.S., Canada, Ireland, and Serbia.
Serbian director Kosta brings his highly unique personal style and technical prowess to Emerald. His diverse body of work includes projects for clients like Coca-Cola, T-Mobile, and Honda. He has worked extensively throughout Europe and Asia.
South Side Chicago-raised filmmaker Lucas has traveled the world creating short documentaries and branded content for NOWNESS, VICE, Dick’s Sporting Goods–––and a Tom’s Shoes initiative that financially empowered artists to make social changes in their communities.
Living in Dublin, native Irishman O’Brien excels at building a rich atmosphere in all his work. An experienced commercial director, his sensitive approach is informed by his eye for style and training in sound design. His directorial credits include ad fare for such clients as Soar, Irish Rail, and the Irish Heart Foundation
Roberts started her career as a photojournalist before moving into commercial photography and directing, utilizing her innate ability to put her subjects at ease. Clients include Amazon, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.
Smith is a director, writer, and photographer who grew up in Washington, DC. An NYU Tisch alum, he’s directed videos for Liam Payne, 2 Chainz, Erykah Badu, Lil Yachty, and others. His video for DRAM’s Broccoli featuring Lil Yachty was nominated for both Best Hip-Hop Video and Best Collaboration Video at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards.
Emerald is repped by indie firm Uncle Lefty on the West and East Coasts.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More