Skunk has brought director David Gray aboard its U.S. roster, Formerly handled by Station Film, Gray has directed for such brands as American Express, Geico, Ikea, Microsoft, Showtime, Time Warner, Verizon and Volkswagen.
Gray made a major splash in 2007 when he was nominated for the DGA Award in commercials on the strength of the Tribeca Film Festival’s “Transvestite” and “Mugger” for Ogilvy & Mather, New York; Fulltiltpoker’s “Jesus Throws” out of WongDoody, Culver City, Calif.; and eBay’s “Born” via London agency Delaney Lund Knox Warren. The DGA nod, which he earned while at Hungry Man, came not quite two years after Gray earned inclusion in SHOOT’s New Directors Showcase.
Gray spent a number of years on the agency side of the business before making a successful transition to directing. As an agency creative he worked at such notable shops as BBDO New York and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco. Gray co-created the celebrated Snickers’ “Not going anywhere for a while campaign” for BBDO which received assorted industry awards. He followed that with lauded campaigns for Nike, FedEx, Visa and E-Trade. For the latter, his “Monkey” commercial out of Goodby (directed by Hungry Man’s Bryan Buckley) ranks among one of the most memorable Super Bowl spots of all time.
Skunk president Matt Factor said of Gray, “I‘ve know David for over 17 years and have always been a fan of his work. I’m excited to have him in the Skunk family.”
Skunk maintains offices in Los Angeles, New York and London. Launched in 2008, Skunk has garnered such honors as nine Cannes Lions plus 10 nominations, Gold awards at the British Arrows and Creative Circle competitions, and Silvers and Bronzes at the Clio Awards, the Ciclope Festival and at The One Show.
“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