The average cost of producing a 30-second national TV commercial in 2000 decreased three percent as compared to ’99, according to the American Association of Advertising Agencies’ (4A’s) annual Television Production Cost Survey. Extrapolating from a database of 1,230 national :30s as reported by 20 participating ad agencies (including 15 of the country’s top 20 ad shops), the 4A’s report found that the "average" gross cost of a national :30 before agency commission was $332,000 in ’00. That’s down slighly from $343,000 in ’99. Next week’s SHOOT will contain a full report on the 4A’s study, including what can be learned from ’00, a year marked by the six-month-long actors’ strike against the advertising industry….Word is that director Jeffrey Fleisig, who signed with the since closed Propaganda Films earlier this year (SHOOT, 5/18, p. 1), is slated to join Biscuit Filmworks, Los Angeles….Director Zack Snyder has joined bicoastal Believe Media. He comes over from bicoastal HSI Productions….Director Lance Kelleher is coming aboard Copper Media, the Los Angeles shop headed by executive producer Mel Gragido. Kelleher had been helming spots via Los Angeles-headquartered Ritts/Hayden….Metro Pictures, with bases of operation in Marina del Rey, Calif., and Hong Kong, has launched a shop in Auckland, New Zealand, under the aegis of executive producer William Grieve. Director signings are in the offing….Editor Steve Prestemon is set to come aboard Mad River Post/Santa Monica. He had been at Santa Monica-based Swietlik Inc….Director Andre Marcell has launched Rip Tide Films, New York. Marcell had been directing spots via Tapestry Productions, New York. Joining Marcell at the new company is executive producer Tom Romano and production coordinator Dale Glickman….Michael Angelo has joined Rough House Editorial, San Francisco, as its lead Flame/Smoke artist….Sally Kapasalis has been named managing director at Spontaneous Combustion, New York….
“Come See Me in the Good Light” Wins Festival Favorite Award At Sundance
The Sundance Film Festival today (2/2) announced its final award for the 2025 edition: Come See Me in the Good Light in the Premieres category received the Festival Favorite Award. The honor was voted on by the audiences from all the new feature films presented at the 2025 Festival. Other award winners were previously announced at a ceremony at The Ray Theatre in Park City, Utah, on January 31 (for SHOOT's coverage, click here).
Kim Yutani, director of programming for the Sundance Film Festival, said, “Throughout the Festival we saw audiences moved by Andrea Gibson’s and Megan Falley’s journeys in Come See Me in the Good Light. Festival goers embraced the humor and heartbreak of this intimate documentary directed by Ryan White, as it speaks to art and love and reminds us what it means to be alive as we face mortality.”
Looking ahead to next year, Sundance Institute also disclosed today the dates for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, taking place in person in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, from January 22–February 1, 2026.
“The past 11 days of the Festival have been a meaningful opportunity to connect as a community in support of independent storytelling,” said Amanda Kelso, acting CEO, Sundance Institute. “We look forward to being reunited with audiences, artists, industry, and press next January for another edition of the Festival.”
Eugene Hernandez, director, Sundance Film Festival and public programming, added, “As this year’s Festival comes to a close, we’re already looking ahead to 2026 and what will no doubt be an unforgettable experience! We invite you to save... Read More