Buddy Brakha has joined RSA Films and Black Dog Films as an executive producer. An accomplished integrated producer, talent manager and creative director, Brakha will executive produce for RSA’s award-winning roster of directors and help support its music video division, Black Dog Films where he’ll work closely with rep Molly Bohas. Brakha will report directly to RSA’s managing director David Mitchell.
Brakha has spent the past 16 years as worldwide executive producer and a creative director at Brakhax2, founded by his father, acclaimed photographer, filmmaker and artist Moshe Brakha. There Buddy Brakha produced large-scale integrated campaigns for brands such as SKYY Vodka, Martini & Rossi, EA, Best Buy, Dewar’s and Motorola, to note a few, many of which involved working with celebrities the likes of Charlize Theron, Tom Hanks, Samuel L. Jackson, Steve Jobs, George Clooney, Katy Perry, Will Smith, Keanu Reeves and others.
“Buddy is a seasoned producer who is creative, so first and foremost he works well with talent,” commented Jake Scott, director, RSA Films and Black Dog Films. “Brands, agencies and artists can be confident partnering with him, including his ability to pivot as their project objectives evolve. He has worked at a high level in film, branded entertainment, advertising and photography which gives him an advantage assembling the best people for the most creative solutions.”
Brakha commented, “One of the appealing things about joining is the people here are adept at everything from movies and ads to branded entertainment and music videos. It allows for cross pollinating talent and different sets of production knowledge which is a big advantage. There is so much talent and vitality here, starting with the legacy of Ridley and Tony, and continuing with Jake, Jordan and Luke. RSA and Black Dog are family companies and coming from a family production company, that was important to me.”
“Buddy is a great addition to the companies,” commented David Mitchell. “He ran his own family’s business, Brakhax2, for many years. He works well with brands, talent and production and has great taste and aesthetic. He has produced in different formats for all mediums, including high-profile iconic film and photography campaigns for Moshe. Buddy’s collective experience enables him to tackle projects creatively and competitively.”
“There is so much potential today to work with brands as partners,” Brakha added. “Brands have always recognized the value of content, so I see them involved as co-producers vs. ‘the client’ or a silent sponsor. Today the role of producer is no longer singular–just print or television; you need to be an integrated producer able to do it all.”
Live-action commercials and print campaigns, editorial, luxury brands, photo book publishing (including a recent project as creative director for the coffee table book L.A. Babe published by Rizzoli) and branded content assignments have taken Brakha all over the world, including Mexico, Canada, South America, South Africa and Europe.
The past year at RSA Films and Black Dog have seen a restructure of production staff to reflect changes in the market. Brakha joins RSA staff executive producer Paul Kawasaki to offer clients diverse production expertise for the shifting demands of the advertising business. The news follows recent RSA signings of directors Peter Atencio, Christian Lamb and Marie Schuller. Black Dog recently signed music video directing sensation Meji Alabi and also represents Lamb and Schuller.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More