Production company tinygiant has added award-winning director and creative hybrid Alison Roberto to its roster of talent. This marks Roberto’s first commercial production house affiliation. She was previously freelancing. Specializing in original short-form content, Roberto has led projects for Netflix, MTV, and Disney.
Roberto has directed work for brands such as L’Oreal and Kopari Beauty, a natural deodorant brand that became a top seller after Roberto’s “The Truth Stinks” campaign launched. Roberto has also crafted content for some of Netflix’s biggest shows, including GLOW, 13 Reasons Why, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Her promo for the season two premiere of GLOW won multiple Promax and Clio awards, including GOLD for “Best Comedy.” Her "Straight to Hell" music video for Chilling Adventures of Sabrina received 2.5B interactions on TikTok in the first week of release. Additionally, she has worked with high profile celebrity talent including Renee Zellweger, Sigourney Weaver, Mindy Kaling, Laverne Cox, and Megan Rapinoe, among others.
Roberto also works consistently with deserving communities, putting them at the forefront of her work. In 2020, she worked with Doc Martin to create their Music and Film Series, a series of short films focused on creators in New York and Los Angeles who have persevered through the difficulty of 2020. Doc Martin recently announced the continuation of the series this year, which Roberto will helm. Roberto also works philanthropically, mentoring young students at The Ghetto Film School and working with Free The Work for women and underrepresented talent to be seen and given a voice.
Roberto began her career as an art director at MTV, where she honed her expertise in marketing and strategy. Roberto continued to expand her multifaceted background working as a director, creative director, and producer on projects within the advertising and entertainment world. As a commercial director, she brings this unique experience to her projects.
“We are thrilled to welcome another amazing female creative to our roster,” said EP Veronica Diaferia, founder of Brooklyn-based tinygiant. “Alison is a force to be reckoned with, who not only has a unique background working as a creative director but is also an extremely accomplished commercial director.”
Roberto said, “I was captivated by Veronica and the tinygiant team because of their holistic approach to working and their passion for caring for others. I am very excited to start creating with them directly in the advertising world.”
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More