Elle Muliarchyk, a model turned photographer and director, has joined Grand Large for U.S. representation, marking her first commercial signing. Their first work together, a series of more than 30 GIFS for Estee Lauder’s Skincare and Makeup Collection, began a rollout in July.
Elle, who is known professionally by her first name only, first gained attention through her “guerrilla modeling,” which involved sneaking into the most expensive fashion boutiques around the world, staging the dressing rooms, and then taking self portraits while wearing their beautiful clothes. The “Dressing Rooms” series of photographs led to international attention—as well as an arrest record.
She carried her irreverent streak into the world of beauty as the first director to create beauty GIFs. Her viral “Beauty Transformations” project for Yahoo was viewed 30 million times during the first the week of its release in 2015. Elle has directed inventive videos for clients including Sephora, MAC Cosmetics, The New York Times, Swarovski, and designers Philip Lim and Rodarte.
“I have always loved and appreciated commercials as a way of telling a seductive and fascinating story in the shortest time possible,” said Elle. “While social media apps have made shorthand communication mundane and ubiquitous, commercials still are a way to create beautiful, soulful, and unforgettable content.”
Adding yet another creative accomplishment to her list of achievements, Elle’s first book, “What Underwear Does a Zebra Wear?,” an Amazon #1 bestselling children’s joke book, was published just last month.
Grand Large, with offices in New York and Paris, has carved out a niche in the international beauty and fashion worlds. It was through these connections that Grand Large founder Steve Horton and Elle first met. “I believe Elle is very relevant to the beauty market because she has great taste and knows the brands so well,” said Horton.
An early supporter of Free The Bid, Grand Large’s roster of women directors also includes award-winning Broadway and feature film director Julie Taymor, as well as fashion documentarian Lisa Immordino Vreeland, Gaysorn Thavat, Tracey Rowe, and now Elle.
California Gov. Newsom Signs Laws To Protect Actors Against Unauthorized Use Of AI
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed off Tuesday on legislation aiming at protecting Hollywood actors and performers against unauthorized artificial intelligence that could be used to create digital clones of themselves without their consent.
The new laws come as California legislators ramped up efforts this year to regulate the marquee industry that is increasingly affecting the daily lives of Americans but has had little to no oversight in the United States.
The laws also reflect the priorities of the Democratic governor who's walking a tightrope between protecting the public and workers against potential AI risks and nurturing the rapidly evolving homegrown industry.
"We continue to wade through uncharted territory when it comes to how AI and digital media is transforming the entertainment industry, but our North Star has always been to protect workers," Newsom said in a statement. "This legislation ensures the industry can continue thriving while strengthening protections for workers and how their likeness can or cannot be used."
Inspired by the Hollywood actors' strike last year over low wages and concerns that studios would use AI technology to replace workers, a new California law will allow performers to back out of existing contracts if vague language might allow studios to freely use AI to digitally clone their voices and likeness. The law is set to take effect in 2025 and has the support of the California Labor Federation and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA.
Another law signed by Newsom, also supported by SAG-AFTRA, prevents dead performers from being digitally cloned for commercial purposes without the permission of their estates. Supporters said the law is... Read More