After a little more than three years in business together, the partners of bicoastal production house Sticks And Stones-director/cameraman Blair Hayes and executive producer Jonathan Weinstein-are splitting up.
Hayes will own Santa Monica-based The Hayes Office, an entity that he formed earlier this year that operated as a sister company to Sticks And Stones. And Weinstein will assume full ownership of Sticks And Stones, which features director Michael Shapiro who came aboard several months ago (SHOOT, 4/2, p.1). As of June 1, the two companies will operate as separate entities.
For the time being, Weinstein said, The Hayes Office and Sticks And Stones will both work out of the Santa Monica office, and share the current staff-including West Coast-based executive producer Preston Lee. The two production companies will continue to co-exist under that arrangement until the need arises to change the situation, said Weinstein.
Weinstein contended that the split was amicable. "We’re growing in different directions, even though we’re going to the same place," related Weinstein. "[This way] we’ll be able to achieve what we both desire in life. But it’s very amicable- we’re the best of friends and still talk on a daily basis."
Hayes concurred with Weinstein, and elaborated that the two had different views of how they saw the company growing-namely, Weinstein wanted to expand and Hayes preferred to remain a one-director shop. The director explained that he likes being in complete control of his career. "There’s nobody whose focus is as clear-or obsessive-as mine," said Hayes. "I’m charting my own course."
Hayes’ professional obsession over the past year has been diversifying his reel and targeting exclusively conceptual work, he said. Hayes observed that people who still perceive him as a "soft and squishy" vignette director will be pleasantly shocked to see his current reel.
"I’m really focusing on trying to get [work with] even bigger visuals, with more storytelling, humor or drama," related Hayes. "Quite frankly, I’m trying to edge into that very small arena of directors who can really do anything, which is what the reel shows now. I’m not a one-trick pony and don’t like being known for just one thing, but 90% of the directors are. So you can imagine how hard it is to convince people you can do anything."
Among Hayes’ credits is a trailer for the upcoming film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me for New Line Cinema. Airing theatrically and commercially, the trailer initially seems to promote the upcoming Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace, until the end reveal shows Mike Myers’ character Dr. Evil. Other credits include a pair of Gatorade spots "Frost" and "Midnight Thunder" via Foote, Cone & Belding, Chicago; a Partnership for a Drug-Free America PSA, "Needle," out of Margeotes|Fertitta+Partners, New York; and Pepsi’s "All the Luck" and Federal Express’ "Doug," both via BBDO New York.
Another impetus for remaining a one-man shop, Hayes explained, is his intention to take a hiatus from commercials in the next six months to a year to direct a feature. Repped by The William Morris Agency, Hayes contended he has been pursued by Hollywood producers, and has been offered scripts by such executives as Jerry Bruckheimer.
"It’s just that my interests are in varied areas," said Hayes, "and the kind of commercials I want to do are specific. And, again, being a control guy, I’m not so sure I want to share everything with a bunch of other [directors]."
Meanwhile, Weinstein said he plans to add other directors to Sticks And Stones, and is considering a company name change in order to make a completely new start. Sales representation for both shops will presently remain the same: New York-based Chris Messiter on the East Coast; Chicago-based Tim Harwood in the Midwest; and Hollywood-based Saarinen/ Korsan on the West Coast.
Weinstein and Hayes launched Sticks And Stones in early ’96 (SHOOT, 3/8/96, p.1). Since ’93, Weinstein has also operated-and continues to run-his own New York-based repping firm Yakkity-Yak. Prior to Sticks And Stones, Hayes spent two years at Venice, Calif.-based Shut Up And Drive (SHOOT, 10/14/94, p.1). Before this, he had been on staff for three years at Santa Monica-based GLG.
