Global production studio UNIT9 has added queer, German-American director and photographer Brit Phelan to its roster of creative storytellers. Phelan will be handled by UNIT9 in the U.S. and U.K. for commercials, branded content and photography. This marks her first representation in the American ad market. She continues to be repped in Canada by production house Kiddo.
Phelan was recently tapped to direct White Claw’s newest campaign “Let’s White Claw” with RothCo Agency, which sought out diverse, new creators to bring unscripted scenes to life. Upon signing with UNIT9, Phelan immediately launched into a project with Twitter. Before joining UNIT9, Phelan held positions on the agency side of the business. working in the motion department at Wieden+Kennedy creating social content, and at Hecho Studios, the production arm of 72andSunny. Her directing career has included collaborations with brands like Puma, Nike, Verizon, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
“Brit has a unique energy and ability to always be making. Her passion and creativity are core to everything she does–personally I can’t wait to see that translated to all kinds of work. I love that Brit writes and ideates as well as she shoots–it’s a rare talent," said Michelle Craig, founder and creative partner at UNIT9.
During the pandemic lockdown, Phelan never stopped creating. She developed Miss You, a video series inspired by the idea of repurposing her own iPhone footage to recreate intimate moments from her past. She also started You Matter, a series and platform for change that paired eight children, who identify as Black, with a mentor to participate in a four-week mentorship program.
Her independent series Real People of LA, was created to showcase the uniqueness and authenticity of real Angelenos, with the purpose of fostering universal connection among all of us.
“Brit is considered one of the industry’s up-and-coming, unconventional directors, and I’m excited to see this unfold as we work alongside each other,” said Emily Malito, executive producer, UNIT9. “One of the key qualities we admire about her is the fact that she is constantly in motion–always creating content, even outside of our walls, that focus on relatable human moments.”
Phelan’s experience as an editor and creative director, paired with her knowledge of visual effects and graphics, has led to her sharp eye for pacing, framing and dynamic visuals. “It’s such an exciting time to be a creator and to be able to offer a lens of authenticity to the industry,” said Phelan. “I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with the UNIT9 team to bring a storytelling style that creates an emotional connection to the brands we work with.”
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