Multidisciplinary creative studio Los York has added director Nico Poalillo to its roster.
Poalillo’s versatile approach to filmmaking fuses visceral, gritty realism with modern, innovative storytelling. Hailing from California, Poalillo cut his teeth and honed his craft with agencies including Publicis Groupe, McCann Worldgroup, Doner, Conscious Minds, and Leo Burnett. Poalillo draws upon his deep love for art history to inform his filmmaking, and he has studied communication and creative design at the University of Michigan and global business at Harvard Business School.
Poalillo’s experience as both agency creative and producer enable him to understand and bridge the unique perspectives of agency, client, and production company. He has helmed campaigns for brands such as Cadillac, Marvel, Pepsi, Chevy, Nike, Logitech, Opendoor, FCA, Vodafone, and many more. In addition to commercial work, Poalillo has directed an eclectic set of music videos and films for artists including The Goo Goo Dolls, Anderson East, Almost Monday, Chloe Moriondo, and The Aces, among others.
His recent film for Marvel and Allegheny Health Network, “The Vitals,” honored the dedicated nurses who were frontline heroes in the fight against COVID-19. Poignant and life-affirming, the docu-style film was recently recognized at the Effie, Clio, and D&AD Awards. “Call Me Out,” a campaign Poalillo helmed for Chevy that allows friends and family to remind drivers to keep their eyes on the road, was shortlisted at both the Cannes Lions and Clio competitions in 2019. Prior to joining Los York, Poalillo had been directing as a freelancer.
“As I director, I strive to build a seamless creative process that aligns the interests of all parties,” says Poalillo. “Los York is the perfect mix of vibrancy, innovation, and inspiration.”
“Nico is a rapidly emerging talent,” says Los York Studio executive producer Leticia Gurjao. “His finely attuned sense of story enables him to craft deeply resonant films that take the viewer on an unforgettable and thrilling journey.”
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