Director Floria Sigismondi has signed with Believe Media, the bicoastal shop launched earlier this year (SHOOT, 2/18, p. 1) by executive producers Luke Thornton and Liz Silver. Sigismondi, a resident of both New York and Toronto, will be repped for spots in the U.S. by Believe; her previous stateside home was bicoastal M-80 Films.
Sigismondi said several factors drew her to Believe. She cited its willingness to embrace her multi-disciplinary involvement (spots, videos, longform, art, still photography, sculpting). It was important for me to go with a company that understands and is supportive of these different aspects of me, and fully realizes how my film and art careers benefit each other, related Sigismondi. I also like the enthusiasm exhibited by Luke and Liz . The director added that sister interactive shop, I Believe Media, is also appealing to her given the creative opportunities unfolding in new, emerging media.
Much of Sigismondis recent work has been for Canadian ad agencies via her longstanding relationship with The Partners Film Company, Toronto. Her latest is Shoppers Drug Marts Opera Diva for Toronto. The spot shows directorial prowess in comedy, coupled with what Sigismondi is arguably best known for-her sophisticated visual sensibilities. She also comes off of an American assignment produced by M-80, This. coms Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star for Harris Drury Cohen, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
On the music video front, Sigismondi continues to be handled by Revolver, Toronto and Los Angeles, which is Partners music video shop. She recently wrapped the clip Get Up for vocalist Amel Larrieux. Sigismondis filmography includes such notable videos as Marilyn Mansons Beautiful People and Sheryl Crows Anything But Down. The former was produced by U Ground, Los Angeles, in conjunction with Revolver. Anything But Down was done at London-based Academy.
Sigismondi worked via Academy for about a year (A98-99) while she lived in London. Her spot credits there included Fantas Share The Fun via Leagas Delaney, London, an agency for which she earlier directed basketball star Kobe Bryant in adidas Cynics produced by U Ground.
Sigismondi said that moving to New York from London last year signaled her commitment to the American spot market, a commitment she hopes to capitalize on at Believe. In 99, she came aboard New York-headquartered Voyeur Films for U.S. representation. When that companys executive producer Bill Perna left and wound up at M-80, Sigismondi accompanied him there. But when Perna recently departed M-80, Sigismondi said she began seriously considering other roosts, eventually leading to her decision to cast her lot with Believe.
Thornton said that hes been a long-time fan of Sigismondis work. Shes an ideal fit to the aesthetic of what Believe Media is about-a group of filmmakers, each with a very distinct visual stamp while also being able to tackle narrative and [actors] performance, assessed Thornton of Sigismondi. The timing is also right in that shes now firmly committed to the U.S. ad market.
Sigismondis endeavors outside the spot and music video arenas include her still photography book, Redemption, and Carnage, a multimedia project-incorporating film, photography, sculpting and other disciplines-which shes collaborating on with two other filmmakers/artists.
The Believe Media directorial roster consists of: Sigismondi; stop motion and live action filmmakers the Brothers Quay; and music video helmer Nick Quested whos making the transition to commercials, having recently wrapped two spec spots. Believe Media also maintains its association with Serial Dreamer, a West Hollywood production boutique headed by director Erick Ifergan and executive producer Gerard Cantor. Serial Dreamers directors are Ifergan, Darius Khondji and Vincent Jerome. Director David van Eyssen is partnered in the aforementioned I Believe Media.
Ifergan is in the midst of a Christian Dior job for Paris agency Air. Khondji, a noted feature cinematographer (i.e.-Seven, The Beach, Delicatessan, The City of Lost Children), just made his spot directing debut: a Microsoft assignment for McCann-Erickson, London. Additionally, the Brothers Quay are currently helming a stop motion Kelloggs job for Leo Burnett Co., Chicago.
