Tool has signed director Rachel McDonald for commercials and branded content worldwide.
McDonald’s first work for Tool centered around the 2017 Grammy Awards. The film, It Was You, debuted earlier this month for the Recording Academy’s “Believe In Music” campaign, built around Taylor Swift’s speech from the 2016 Grammy Awards. McDonald spent her early years working with and learning from such noted filmmakers as Clint Eastwood, Frank Darabont, and Nancy Meyers. In 2014, McDonald directed her first narrative short called Thirst, starring Melanie Griffith. The film was nominated for the Golden Pardino at the Locarno International Film Festival, and won at the Emerging Cinematographer’s Awards. To date, McDonald has worked in both the American and Canadian markets, directing spots for clients including Motorola, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Pampers, West Elm, Special Olympics, Maple Leaf and Nick Fouquet.
Prior to joining Tool, McDonald’s most recent production company affiliation was R A U C O U S Content,
“Rachel has a really special way of telling raw, honest and emotion-packed stories driven directly from her heart,” said Oliver Fuselier, managing partner, live action at Tool.
McDonald is the latest directorial signing at Tool, which has recently added filmmakers Lily Baldwin, Nora Kirkpatrick, Martin Aamund and Danielle Levitt to its roster.
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