Ataboy Studios has brought director Andrew Gooi aboard its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. Prior to joining Ataboy, Gooi–who’s based in both Minneapolis and NYC–was working independently, with the director's projects in the advertising arena produced via his Gooi Films.
Gooi has collaborated with global brands including Uber Eats, Red Lobster, Popeyes and Panera Bread. He also directed, shot and edited an episode of HBO’s The Heart of Soba, narrated by Dune and Star Wars star Oscar Isaac, which earned a 2018 James Beard Award for Visual and Technical Excellence. At Ataboy, Gooi will be one of the first new directors to help the studio continue to expand into the food and beverage photography space. Gooi’s minute, observational directing style is born of his nontraditional background in civil engineering and endeavors to uncover the purpose and drive of a brand’s mission and translate it through artful visuals.
“I want the audience to feel like they’re right beside me visualizing what I see and feeling what the brand or story is about,” explained Gooi. “The analytic mindset I developed from civil engineering has definitely crossed over to my directing/cinematography work — as much as I am focused on making the shots look beautiful, how I evaluate and weigh each shot as part of the bigger picture and story is crucial. This mindset keeps me focused on the edit as well–capturing shots that have evergreen quality to the brand and that can translate across various media platforms.”
Gooi is also the founder and a contributing filmmaker of Food Talkies, a collection of short films that celebrate traditional cultural cuisines. This project, as well as his career path and lifelong love of food, was inspired by his relationship with his grandmother. Gooi used his filmmaking prowess to document his grandmother’s story through her cooking as a way to tangibly hold onto their memories. Since that first film, he has continued to devote himself to capturing diverse stories focused on preserving lost traditions through food.
Gooi cited Ataboy’s strength in VFX and animation as a huge incentive for him. “With VFX, it allows a production to innovate through the years, and I believe this applies across all industries,” he said.
Ataboy founder/creative director Vikkal Parikh assessed, “Andrew’s authentic and intimate approach to storytelling centered around food is what makes him stand out in this genre. Incorporating his culture and passion for food into the craft makes his content engaging and delicious to watch.”
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More