Tom Kuntz and Juan Cabral of MJZ, Andreas Nilsson and Steve Rogers of Biscuit join Smuggler’s Miles Jay in this year’s field of nominees
MJZ and Biscuit Filmworks each had two directors scoring nominations for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for 2015. MJZ’s Juan Cabral and Tom Kuntz are up for the honor as are Biscuit’s Andreas Nilsson and Steve Rogers. Rounding out the field is director Miles Jay of Smuggler.
All but Kuntz are first-time DGA Award nominees. Kuntz now picks up his sixth DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for Eyebrows (Cadbury), Tips (Career Builder), Scents for Gents (Old Spice) and Tailor (Skittles) in 2009; and was previously nominated in this category in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012.
This time around Kuntz is nominated for Old Spice’s “So It Begins” from Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, Ore., Heineken’s “The Chase” via Wieden+Kennedy, Amsterdam, and Clash of Clans’ “Revenge” out of Barton F. Graf 9000, New York.
His MJZ compatriot, Cabral, earned nominee status for Ikea’s “Monkeys” out of agency Mother, and Lurpak’s “Freestyle” for Wieden+Kennedy, London.
Biscuit’s Nilsson garnered his first career DGA nom for the Comcast spot “Emily’s Oz” out of Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, NY, General Electric’s “Time Upon A Once” for BBDO NY, and Old Spice’s “Dad Song” from Wieden+Kennedy, Portland.
Rogers, also on the Biscuit roster, scored his nomination for Nike Golf’s “Ripple” and Nike’s “Snow Day,” both via Wieden+Kennedy, Portland.
And Smuggler’s Jay scored his first DGA nomination for AT&T/ESPN’s “It Can Wait” from ESPN Creative Works.
Here’s a rundown of the commercial director nominees and some of their directorial teams behind the nominated work:
JUAN CABRAL
(MJZ)
“Monkeys,” Ikea – Mother
“Freestyle,” Lurpak – Wieden + Kennedy London
MILES JAY
(Smuggler)
“It Can Wait,” ESPN/AT&T – ESPN Creative Works
First Assistant Director: Scott Rorie
TOM KUNTZ
(MJZ)
“So It Begins,” Old Spice – Wieden + Kennedy Portland
First Assistant Director: Thomas Smith
Second Assistant Director: Robert Kay
“The Chase,” Heineken – Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam
First Assistant Director: Steven Fernandez
“Revenge,” Clash of Clans – Barton F. Graff
First Assistant Directors: Peter Jackson, Kevin Burke
Second Assistant Director: Kevin Burke
ANDREAS NILSSON
(Biscuit Filmworks)
“Emily’s Oz,” Comcast – Goodby, Silverstein & Partners NY
First Assistant Directors: Craig Owens, Eric Topp
Second Assistant Director: Eric Topp
“Time Upon A Once,” General Electric – BBDO
Unit Production Manager: Vincent Landay
“Dad Song,” Old Spice – Wieden + Kennedy
STEVE ROGERS
(Biscuit Filmworks)
“Ripple,” Nike Golf – Wieden + Kennedy Portland
Unit Production Manager: Vincent Landay
First Assistant Director: David Dean
Second Assistant Director: Blake Perkinson
Second Second Assistant Director: Frank Horn
“Snow Day,” Nike – Wieden + Kennedy Portland
Unit Production Manager: James Veal
First Assistant Director: Craig Owens
Second Assistant Director: Eric Topp
Second Second Assistant Directors: Rob Nia, Rob Topp, Rob Torres
“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