Bullitt continues to build its filmmaker collective of talent, spanning longform and shortform content, with the addition of Walt Becker. The signing marks his first time on a commercial production company roster, though not his initial foray into advertising. Becker is a director, screenwriter, producer, and author whose films have grossed close to a billion dollars worldwide. In the advertising and commercials space, Becker has directed Super Bowl campaigns for T-Mobile, Fossil, and ADT, among other brand collaborations. A bellwether of Becker’s career is an openness and appreciation for collaboration in any form with story at its center.
“I love that Bullitt is a filmmaker-run company; The Russo Brothers and Justin Lin are great talents and people and I really respect their work and partnership,” said Becker. “The idea that you can do equally rewarding work in features and advertising is really appealing. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial side that gives me an appreciation for the compelling and strategic storytelling that goes along with brands, which I really enjoy developing and bringing to life.”
Bullitt’s Luke Ricci noted, “Walt’s spots for T-Mobile in this year’s Super Bowl were among my absolute favorites of the game–they made me laugh out loud and possess a wonderful look and energy.”
In addition to creating content for numerous platforms, Becker’s directing work spans multiple genres – from comedy to unscripted, live action and animated. Among them, Van Wilder starring Ryan Reynolds and Wild Hogs starring John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy, the live action/CG film adaptation of Clifford: The Big Red Dog, and Alvin and the Chipmunks: Road Chip.
In television, Becker co-created and executive produced the TBS series Glory Daze, a one-hour period comedy following the lives of four college freshman set in the ‘80s, which he also directed. In addition to producing or directing many television pilots, he executive produced the Fox series Bad Samaritans for Netflix, and created the unscripted television format WORKED for TBS and truTV.
He is naturally at ease with talent, eliciting genuine and open-hearted performances from up-and-coming as well as seasoned actors.
The author of two novels, Misconception was co-written with attorney Robert Shapiro. Becker’s first novel Link was on the Los Angeles Times and National Bestseller Lists; both were published by Harper Collins and William Morrow. Becker also created the graphic novel “Last Reign” which Boom! Comics published.
“Each discipline and endeavor has its own creative rewards,” explained Becker. “I love coming up with the best possible versions of an idea, and appreciate the opportunity to experience new things and experiment while being responsible for bigger picture goals. Harmonizing all of these things is what I always strive for.”
A Los Angeles native, Becker received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Studies from UCLA and a Master’s Degree in Film from the School of Cinematic Arts at USC.
Jennifer Kent On Why Her Feature Directing Debut, “The Babadook,” Continues To Haunt Us
"The Babadook," when it was released 10 years ago, didn't seem to portend a cultural sensation.
It was the first film by a little-known Australian filmmaker, Jennifer Kent. It had that strange name. On opening weekend, it played in two theaters.
But with time, the long shadows of "The Babadook" continued to envelop moviegoers. Its rerelease this weekend in theaters, a decade later, is less of a reminder of a sleeper 2014 indie hit than it is a chance to revisit a horror milestone that continues to cast a dark spell.
Not many small-budget, first-feature films can be fairly said to have shifted cinema but Kent's directorial debut may be one of them. It was at the nexus of that much-debated term "elevated horror." But regardless of that label, it helped kicked off a wave of challenging, filmmaker-driven genre movies like "It Follows," "Get Out" and "Hereditary."
Kent, 55, has watched all of this โ and those many "Babadook" memes โ unfold over the years with a mix of elation and confusion. Her film was inspired in part by the death of her father, and its horror elements likewise arise out of the suppression of emotions. A single mother (Essie Davis) is struggling with raising her young son (Noah Wiseman) years after the tragic death of her husband. A figure from a pop-up children's book begins to appear. As things grow more intense, his name is drawn out in three chilling syllables โ "Bah-Bah-Doooook" โ an incantation of unprocessed grief.
Kent recently spoke from her native Australia to reflect on the origins and continuing life of "The Babadook."
Q: Given that you didn't set out to in any way "change" horror, how have you regarded the unique afterlife of "The... Read More