Production company Recommended has signed director Snorri Sturluson to its U.S. roster. Sturluson believes fusing together images, music, story and technology is the ultimate art form. He took these ideals to heart when beginning his career in the states. Sturluson completed his first spot, “Share” for Nokia, while working as an assistant to Eidur Snorri in June 2006. By August of that year Sturluson shot the second unit on a massive campaign for Mercedes-Benz.
A native of Iceland, Sturluson began as a photographer for several leading music bands, creating his first music video during the 1990s in Iceland. It was not until he immigrated to New York City in early 2001, however, that he launched his art directing, designing, advertising and directing career.
Sturluson’s first gig came as an art director and designer for fashion brands such as Coogi, FUBU and DrunknMunky. It was during that time that he developed strategies and executions for online campaigns, just as the Internet was coming of age as an advertising medium. Sturluson guided and executed the overall direction of the brands across all media, print, digital, experiential and broadcast. He later worked in technology and social media at ad agency thread, collaborating closely with a variety of tech and social media startups, as well as heavyweights such as Yahoo!
Sturluson would soon make a seamless transition from advertising to the director’s chair, which gives him the opportunity to explore and push boundaries, and provides him with an outlet to hone his skills though a combination of inventive, visual, technological and human storytelling.
His directing career has opened the doors to him working with several high profile clients including Comcast with Zachary Levy, the “Out with the Old” Super Bowl commercial for Dell, “Jackhammer” for Mercedes-Benz, and UGG with Tom Brady. Prior to joining Recommended, Sturluson directed spots in the U.S. via Bob Industries.
When Sturluson is not directing, Sturluson enjoys writing movie scripts. In fact, he is writing one now and working towards creating his first movie.
Sturluson graduated with a degree in philosophy from the University of Iceland.
“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