The Cavalry Productions, a commercial and digital production company, has signed director/DP Bryce Gubler for exclusive representation in the U.S. The announcement was made by Cavalry EPs Ross Grogan and Chris Wedding. Gubler has spent the last four years directing commercials, digital and documentary work for companies such as Nike, Red Bull and Canon.
Gubler had been working with ManaMedia out of Europe on spots and long-form work for the aforementioned Canon and Red Bull. The latter project, a six episode documentary series titled Game Quest chronicles the making of an extreme sports video game. Shot on location in central Europe and North America, Game Quest wedges a small game developer, Bongfish, between two mega-national corporations–racing against budget constraints and impossible deadlines to create a high-octane gaming experience. Directing and shooting this project booked Gubler up for almost two years.
Gubler’s other recent work includes long-form branding work for Canon (“Influencers”, “Wild Horses” and “Lake Garda and “Rad Ball,” highlighting Canon still and video cameras) and Nike’s “Always On” series of branding shorts. Two of the Nike shorts feature NBA basketball star Kobe Bryant and soccer superstar Christiano Ronaldo demonstrating that they are “always on” in everything they do.
The last four years has seen Gubler has come into his own as director/DP. Working as a post producer at ManaMedia, Gubler spent his spare time experimenting with the Canon EOS 5D MKII and was enthralled with the digital camera’s agility in the field and resulting images. As he tells it, ManaMedia was impressed enough with his talent that they asked him to direct and take a leadership role at the company. Soon Gubler was handling a high-profile client base that includes Microsoft, Nike, Red Bull and Canon. He also started working with agencies like Wieden & Kennedy, Sid Lee, Dentsu and 180Amsterdam.
Gubler said his extensive experience as an editor helps him know precisely what he needs to make a story shine. “I can visualize in advance what the end result will be and capture accordingly,” related Gubler. “It’s all about pre-visualization and knowing what you need to achieve the result you want in the end, and that’s a huge asset to have in your trunk of tricks.”
Gubler has always been fascinated with the moving image. Growing up he experimented and familiarized himself with 16mm, 35mm and various other camera systems. He credits his unique aesthetic to attending film school at the University of Colorado in Boulder. There he met with Phil Solomon and Stan Brakhage, two of his mentors at the college and both noted American experimental filmmakers. “I learned how to tell a story with image, how to orchestrate sequence,” said Gubler, who has taken up residence in Venice, Calif., and is looking to make his mark stateside.
“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