Production company Alkemy X has added director Johnny Andow to its roster for U.S. commercial representation. He has turned out work for brands including Under Armour and GORE-TEX. This marks his first official representation in the ad arena. He had most recently been freelancing.
Andow’s passion for the camera began at a young age with the desire to capture the world in front of him. Andow has directed and produced a diverse range of films and spots. His commercial work blends anthemic visuals with emotive storytelling for a wide range of brands. He is currently in development on a range of personal creative endeavors, including a feature film that celebrates his own mother’s journey as a professional boxer in a time where women weren’t taken seriously in the sport.
Andow noted, “After having the opportunity to collaborate with Alkemy X on several projects, I couldn’t be more thrilled to officially join their roster. I’m a huge fan of the work that they do and the talent they represent and I’m excited to continue to tell powerful brand stories.”
Alkemy X director of production Jim Huie added, “Johnny’s work is bold and full of life. Always moving forward, his style motivates at every turn to win, to learn, to cheer, and to inspire. Johnny is a smart director, always equipped with a unique perspective and plan to execute it. With a few projects already completed together, we look forward to many more.”
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More