SKUNK has brought director Mike Maguire aboard its U.S. roster. An L.A.-based, Long Island native, Maguire became a director after first establishing himself on the agency side as a copywriter (kirshenbaum bond & partners, NY) and associate creative director (Goodby Silverstein & Partners). Maguire has directed critically acclaimed music videos, short films, a feature film and commercials for many premium brands including Nike, Budweiser, Fox Sports, IKEA and Volkswagen. His work, almost all comedy, has received international recognition and numerous awards at Cannes, The One Show and D&AD along the way.
Maguire’s commercial reel is defined by his wild sense of humor, top drawer casting and performances, and eccentric narratives. Prior to joining SKUNK, he had been repped in the U.S. ad market by production house Dummy.
Matt Factor, president of SKUNK, and Maguire’s sales rep (back in the day when Propaganda was still around), called their reunion a “no brainer…I’m jazzed to be working with Mike again. Mike is one of the funniest people I know and his sense of humor is always reflected in his work. I like his sensibility and we get on great. His work makes people laugh and we need more of that these days for sure.”
Though comedy is his forte and his career has been long and fruitful, still one of Maguire’s proudest achievements is serving on the Board of Directors of UCLA’s Early Childhood Partial Hospitalization Program/Autism Treatment Centre at The Resnick Neuropsychiatric Institute.
“Dune: Part Two” and “House of the Dragon” Win 2 HPA Awards Apiece
Dune: Part Two and House of the Dragon each scored two HPA Awards during a gala ceremony at the Television Academy’s Wolf Theatre in North Hollywood, Calif. on Thursday night (11/7). The HPA Awards honor trailblazing talent in the postproduction industry, celebrating standout achievements in color grading, sound, editing, restoration, and visual effects across theatrical features, commercials, and episodics.
Dune: Part Two topped the Outstanding Color Grading--Live Action Theatrical Feature and the Outstanding Sound--Theatrical Feature categories.
House of the Dragon’s two wins were for “The Red Dragon and the Gold” episode which scored for Outstanding Visual Effects--Live Action Episode or Series Season, and Outstanding Editing--Episode or Non-Theatrical Feature (Over 30 Minutes). In the latter HPA Creative Category, House of the Dragon tied with the “Part Six: Far,l Far Away” episode of Ahsoka.
The HPA’s Judges Award for Creativity and Innovation honored Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour. This recognition celebrates the profound impact on both live and filmed entertainment that defined The Eras Tour, underscoring its exceptional impact on audiences and the industry. The jury issued a statement outlining their choice: “Celebrated as the cultural phenomenon of 2023, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour set new records in box office sales, tour revenues, and attendance. The tour showcased exceptional artistry and innovation, making a profound impact on both live and filmed entertainment.”
This year, FotoKem was awarded the Charles S. Swartz Award for its role in supporting filmmakers, studios, cinematographers, and artists across diverse film and media landscapes. Also celebrated... Read More