CoMPANY Films has signed comedy directing duo BLOK–consisting of Richard Jobson and Paul Casey–exclusively for commercials and branded content. This marks BLOK’s first representation in the U.S.
Recent BLOK directing credits include European spots for Hendrick’s Gin, Pepsi Max and Rainbow Riches Casino. The directorial team continues to be handled internationally by production houses Outsider in the U.K. and Markenfilm in Germany.
“Multiple worlds, extraordinary characters, ambitious set builds and amazing, story-driven effects, both in camera and using a bit of savvy post magic, that’s BLOK,” said executive producer Ron Cicero who heads CoMPANY Films along with EP colleague Richard Goldstein. “It’s exciting to discover a creative team that excels at every stage of the process–all in service to the script and with a fresh perspective.”
“We build a special universe for each brand,” shared Jobson (who handles DP duties) and Casey in a joint statement. “Creatively, we collaborate on everything up until the shoot.”
BLOK has been directing spots for the European market for a little less than three years, before that helming TV comedy series worldwide for the BBC, Channel 4, Sky and Netflix.
The BLOK duo developed an affinity for commercialmaking. The directors in a statement jointly observed, “Going from long-form TV series to :30 spots was the best decision we ever made. We’re perfectionists and the limited parameters of television often mean that there are many unavoidable sacrifices and compromises throughout production due to lack of time, money or both. Commercials gives us an opportunity to finesse each and every shot and improve our VFX understanding, whilst focusing on telling a short story. Concentrating on telling an engaging story in 30 seconds is always a fun and exciting challenge for us and is something we find immensely rewarding.”
“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