The Sweet Shop has hired Andrew Traines to helm its U.S. operations as managing director. He had most recently been with BRW USA, helping to establish that L.A.-based production house as a sister shop to Italian production company BRW Filmland, Milano.
Prior to that, Traines had a long tenure as co-head and sr. executive producer of Anonymous Content‘s commercial division. While at the latter, he initiated an integrated media division which at the time operated under the V3 banner.
Earlier in his career, Traines served as an executive producer at Propaganda Films. Over the years, he has exec produced for such notable directors as David Fincher, Mark Romanek, Andrew Douglas, Malcolm Venville and Garth Davis.
Traines defined his “main challenge” at The Sweet Shop as being “to grow their presence in the U.S. and with the help of executive producer Tracy Mays, market the current excellent global roster adding to it top U.S. talent that are up to the level we expect.”
He cited BRW’s assets as including high caliber talent, global support, and an affinity for great work and service.
The Sweet Shop’s overall global operation is headed by CEO/managing partner Paul Prince.
Directing and Editing “Conclave”; Insights From Edward Berger and Nick Emerson
It’s been a bruising election year but this time we’re referring to a ballot box struggle that’s more adult than the one you’d typically first think of in 2024. Rather, on the industry awards front, the election being cited is that of the Pope which takes front and center stage in director Edward Berger’s Conclave (Focus Features), based on the 2016 novel of the same title by Robert Harris. Adapted by screenwriter Peter Straugham, Conclave stars Ralph Fiennes as the cardinal leading the conclave that has convened to select the next Pope. While part political thriller, full of backstabbing and behind-closed-door machinations, Conclave also registers as a thoughtful adult drama dealing with themes such as a crisis of faith, weighing the greater good, and engaging in a struggle that’s as much about spirituality as the attainment of power.
Conclave is Berger’s first feature after his heralded All Quiet on the Western Front, winner of four Oscars in 2023, including for Best International Feature Film. And while Conclave would on the surface seem to be quite a departure from that World War I drama, there’s a shared bond of humanity which courses through both films.
For Berger, the heightened awareness of humanity hit home for him by virtue of where he was--in Rome, primarily at the famed Cinecittà studio--to shoot Conclave, sans any involvement from the Vatican. He recalled waking up in Rome to “soak up” the city. While having his morning espresso, Berger recollected looking out a window and seeing a priest walking about with a cigarette in his mouth, a nun having a cup of coffee, an archbishop carrying a briefcase. It dawned on Berger that these were just people going to... Read More