Writers/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz–aka the filmmaking duo Nilson Schwartz who won the SXSW Narrative Spotlight Audience Award earlier this year for their debut feature, The Peanut Butter Falcon–have joined RadicalMedia’s global roster to direct commercials and branded content. RadicalMedia becomes the directing team’s first career roost for representation in the ad arena.
Set for release in select theaters on August 9, The Peanut Butter Falcon tells the story of Zak (portrayed by Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down syndrome who runs away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a student at the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck. Zak hits the road where he meets with Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) who becomes an unlikely coach and friend. They are joined on this life’s experience-rich journey by Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), a kind nursing home employee.
“After watching the film, it was obvious that Nilson Schwartz have the ability to strike an emotional chord with audiences and we’re looking forward to sharing those sensibilities with agencies and clients,” said Frank Scherma, president and co-founder, RadicalMedia.
Nilson and Schwartz have honed their collaborative relationship over varied projects. Prior to The Peanut Butter Falcon, they teamed on not only writing and directing but also editing and handling camera, VFX and color for the short film The Moped Diaries. Nilson and Schwartz assumed that jack of all trades approach spanning writing, directing, cutting, lensing, VFX and color on several other projects as well, including a pair of short films with rock climber Alex Honnold, the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo (directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi). Nilson Schwartz’s work with Honnold consisted of Urban Ascents and At Home Off The Wall, both pieces of branded content for Stride Health.
Nilson Schwartz is also creating, writing and set to direct The Wildest Animals in Griffith Park, a show in development with Lucky Chap, Margot Robbie and Warner Bros.
Nilson and Schwartz have in the past additionally worked on ad fare as actor and editor, respectively, including projects for Visa, Apple, Virgin America and Twitter.
Schwartz said of Radical Media, “Their roster and body of work speaks for itself. It wasn’t that long ago that we were sleeping in our cars and hoping that someone would read our script. It’s exciting to have the movie coming out and also have new opportunities to collaborate with creatives to tell shorter stories with commercials and branded content.”
Nilson added, “When you decide to work with people creatively it’s important to find the right fit. We hit it off right away with Frank and the team in Los Angeles.”
“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 yearโs 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 Zemeckisโ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwoodโs 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.
โAt the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,โ said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. โWe look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.โ
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 Larraรญn, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the worldโs most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More