Backyard has added director/DP Anthony Furlong to its roster for commercial and branded content representation in the U.S. He brings to the production house diverse expertise as a live-action director, VFX/graphic artist and animation director. Often, two or more of these disciplines are included as part of his films.
For the past six months, Furlong had been directing via his own ongoing company, Basic Nature, as a freelancer. Prior to that he had been repped by Alkemy X in the ad arena.
Furlong's body of work includes collaborations with various blue-chip brands, including IKEA, Motorola, Samsung, Apple and NBC.
With a background as an actor, programmer, auto engineer, and numerous creative roles, Furlong brings a unique analytical perspective to each project that complements his instinctive artistic sense.
“His works are performance driven, artistic masterpieces,” said Backyard CMO and managing director, Roy Skillicorn. “They reflect the vision of a true visual thinker.”
Back in 2014, furlong earned an Emmy in art direction for his work on NBC’s Sunday Night Football intro starring Carrie Underwood.
“His lavish imagery draws from a deep, and constantly updated, toolbox of techniques,” related Kris Mathur, Backyard’s EP; “With an engineer’s mind and the heart of an artist, his work manifests itself in unique and unconventional cinematic ways.”
Furlong said he was drawn to Backyard by its “high quality work” as well as its “familial environment, communication and teamwork.”
Backyard’s president, Kevin Allodi, added, “Anthony is the proprietor of Basic Nature, where he applies his various VFX/GFX and editing skills, often finishing his own work. He not only fills a significant place as a live action director on our roster, but his post company allows us to efficiently package live action through the finished product, something many of our clients are increasingly asking for–we plan to put Basic Nature to good use for our entire roster, whenever appropriate.”
Furlong joins a Backyard directorial roster that includes Greg Popp, Xander Strohm, Kevin Fitzgerald, Jeff Lable, Jesper Ohlsson, Steph Green, Shyam Madiraju, and Patrick Creadon.
“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