Backyard Productions has added directors Mac Eldridge and John M. Lopez to its roster for commercial representation in the U.S. Prior to joining Backyard, both filmmakers were most recently working freelance, independently taking on projects.
Eldridge is a multidisciplinary director with an extensive background in crafting films, branded content, and commercials. Known for bringing his visual style and narrative-driven storytelling to the sporting industry, Eldridge has been sought out by leading agencies and brands–the latter including The PGA Tour, Shell, Pandora, Bridgestone, Avis, and Chobani. He has directed renowned athletes such as Tiger Woods, Ja Morant and John Daly.
In his 16-year directorial career, Lopez has lent his unique vision and immersive style to music videos and feature films, while also producing and directing commercials for brands such as Nike, McDonald’s, Canon, DirecTV, Radio Shack and Michelob.
In addition to directing online documentaries for Cadillac, Glenfiddich, and Heineken, Lopez has written and directed three feature films: The Inquisition of Camilo Sanz, which was acquired and released by HBO Latino; The Hudson Tribes, acquired and distributed by The Orchard and released on Amazon Prime; and most recently Paradise City.
“We work with brands and agencies that continually push the envelope, and that leaves it on us to reinforce their efforts with the top creative talent and directorial firepower,” said Backyard CEO Kevin Allodi. “Mac is incredibly well-versed across formats, and his passion for the craft shines in every project he undertakes. His ability to deliver authentic performances across talent while going above and beyond expectations is second to none.”
Backyard EP, head of sales Rich Schafler described Lopez as “an innovative, vibrant director overflowing with ambition and vision that he brings to the table in every endeavor. He is not only an inspired commercial director who’s worked with some of the most recognizable global brands, but also skilled at creating compelling long-form stories that leave audiences captivated.”
Eldridge and Lopez join a Backyard lineup which also includes Greg Popp, Jeff Aron Lable, Xander Strohm, Julia Ngeow, Paul Stone, Patrick Creadon, Kanyessa McMahon, Jasmin Kuhn, Lorenzo deGuia, and Eric Kiel.
Jennifer Kent On Why Her Feature Directing Debut, “The Babadook,” Continues To Haunt Us
"The Babadook," when it was released 10 years ago, didn't seem to portend a cultural sensation.
It was the first film by a little-known Australian filmmaker, Jennifer Kent. It had that strange name. On opening weekend, it played in two theaters.
But with time, the long shadows of "The Babadook" continued to envelop moviegoers. Its rerelease this weekend in theaters, a decade later, is less of a reminder of a sleeper 2014 indie hit than it is a chance to revisit a horror milestone that continues to cast a dark spell.
Not many small-budget, first-feature films can be fairly said to have shifted cinema but Kent's directorial debut may be one of them. It was at the nexus of that much-debated term "elevated horror." But regardless of that label, it helped kicked off a wave of challenging, filmmaker-driven genre movies like "It Follows," "Get Out" and "Hereditary."
Kent, 55, has watched all of this — and those many "Babadook" memes — unfold over the years with a mix of elation and confusion. Her film was inspired in part by the death of her father, and its horror elements likewise arise out of the suppression of emotions. A single mother (Essie Davis) is struggling with raising her young son (Noah Wiseman) years after the tragic death of her husband. A figure from a pop-up children's book begins to appear. As things grow more intense, his name is drawn out in three chilling syllables — "Bah-Bah-Doooook" — an incantation of unprocessed grief.
Kent recently spoke from her native Australia to reflect on the origins and continuing life of "The Babadook."
Q: Given that you didn't set out to in any way "change" horror, how have you regarded the unique afterlife of "The... Read More