Director Stewart Hendler has joined the roster of Bandito Brothers, marking his return to commercialmaking on the heels of his second studio feature, Sorority Row. The darkly comedic horror film out of Summit Entertainment hit theaters in late 2009. Hendler was previously represented for spots by Über Content.
Hendler’s credits span commercials for such clients as BMW, Motorola, Budweiser, adidas, MTV and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
A graduate of USC’s film program, Hendler wrote and directed the short film, One, winner of the Audience Award at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. The short’s success connected him with theatrical agents at CAA and helped launch his ad career. He initially helmed a number of PSAs, including for literacy foundation ADoorAjar.org and for the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
His literary foundation work and an AAD skin cancer spot gained recognition at Young & Rubicam’s Young Guns competition, the Clio Awards and at Cannes. Hendler was also included in SHOOT‘s first New Director Showcase in 2003.
Hendler later saw his Microsoft Zune spot, “Music Is Life,” gain a spec category honor at the ’08 AICP Show. Earlier in the year, the same spec piece earned inclusion in SHOOT‘s “The Best Work You May Never See” gallery. His previous feature film, the supernatural thriller Whisper, was produced by Gold Circle Films and Universal Pictures, and was released in 2007.
The director connected with Bandito Brothers via Lance Sloane, the company’s president of production and development. Hendler is attached to a web series being produced by Bryan Singer for the WB; Sloane serves as a consultant on the series.
Hendler rounds out a Bandito Brothers talent roster comprised of directors/company partners Mouse McCoy and Scott Waugh, directing duo Gentlemen, and directors/cinematographers Mitchell Amundsen and Vic Huber.
Abdullah Saeed’s Hulu Series “Deli Boys” Has Laughter and Chaos In Store
Abdullah Saeed wasn't looking to write a groundbreaking comedy. He was just looking for a job.
The "Deli Boys" creator wrote a sample script in 2019, hoping to secure a staff position in a writers' room after transitioning from journalism to screenwriting. ("Nobody was buying my documentaries," jokes Saeed.) He had recently co-written a script for a feature film, but needed something to showcase his own voice.
Saeed sat down to write without worry about representing his entire community, and decided to freely create a show that was as lighthearted as he is.
"The pressure was off because I didn't think it was going to be a TV show. I was just like, 'OK, whatever, I think that's funny,'" said the Pakistani American writer.
"Deli Boys" soon landed in front of television writers and producers Jenni Konner ("Girls") and Nora Silver ("Single Drunk Female"), who immediately wanted to do more than hire Saeed. They wanted to develop the half-hour pilot and bring it to life.
"It was so unique and so funny and fresh, and (there is) nothing like that in the world, ever," said Konner who later brought on showrunner Michelle Nader ("2 Broke Girls").
The 10-episode Hulu original comedy presented by Onyx Collective stars Saagar Shaikh ("Ms. Marvel"), Asif Ali ("WandaVision") and Poorna Jagannathan. Premiering today (3/6), "Deli Boys" follows two Pakistani American brothers, Raj and Mir — played by Shaikh and Ali — who lose their comfortable lifestyles after their convenience store mogul father (Iqbal Theba) dies unexpectedly from a golfing accident. Raj and Mir must now work together to take over the family business, but soon learn they are in way over their heads when they discover the stores were a front for cocaine... Read More