International production company Great Guns has brought director and screenwriter Justin Casselle aboard its roster for representation in the U.S.
Casselle began his journey in the industry as a creative producer, working for such agencies as DDB Chicago, FCB Chicago, and Deutsch. During this time, he produced commercials and branded content for the likes of McDonald’s, Jeep, and Apple–in addition to a number of digital series. Alongside his role as a producer, Casselle worked to hone his skills as a director, helming music videos for Deanna Devore and Kinky Love before pursuing a career in directing and screenwriting.
Since then, he has directed multiple commercials, shorts, digital series, and sketches in the comedy genre, as well as working on both long and short-form screenplays. Ranging from dark comedies and dramedies to romcoms, his work is notable for its sharp sense of social commentary and interrogation of masculinity, privilege, and social norms. As a champion of inclusion and diversity, his web series The Right Swipe explored the challenges of dating at various intersections of marginalized identity through a comedic lens–a project which ensured diverse hiring both in front of and behind the camera.
Casselle's subtle, comedic approach is evident most recently in his “Stack up the Moments” campaign for the Pearl Milling Company (from multicultural agency Ten35 and production company Method & Madness)–the first commercial since the client rebranded from Aunt Jemima earlier this year. Having also worked for brands including Old Forester Bourbon and Realtor.com, Casselle is now a finalist in the 2021 Class for the Commercial Directors Diversity Program created by the AICP and the Directors Guild of America. Additionally his light-hearted comedy short Valentine’s Day First Date was recently an official selection at the 2021 Denton Black Film Festival. He has also been recognized at the Austin Film Festival, New Orleans Film Festival, and Urbanworld Film Festival among many others.
Enthused over joining Great Guns, Casselle shared, “The past 18 months have been challenging for obvious reasons, but I really feel I’ve used the time to reflect and be inspired. The trickiest bit was telling myself my time would come, but it really feels like it has now. There are great days ahead, and I can’t wait to see what we achieve.”
Oliver Fuselier, managing director and EP of Great Guns USA, added, “I am excited to welcome Justin to Great Guns USA roster for two reasons. Firstly, he comes from the agency side having worked with some of our industry’s biggest and best directors–seeing first-hand what it takes to succeed at the highest level as a director. Secondly, he brings his personal brand of warmth and a style of storytelling that adds a level of authentic emotion to his work. Both are a great recipe for success as a director today.”
“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