Alkemy X has signed Emmy Award-winning director/creative director Anthony Furlong as his exclusive representative for advertising, branded content and related projects in the U.S. market. Furlong brings to his new roost expertise in live action direction, design and animation, which he’s applied to work for such brands as Apple, Ikea, Samsung, Panasonic, Nokia, Ford and IBM.
Furlong had most recently been freelancing prior to joining Alkemy X. He was previously on the roster of production house Harpoon and prior to that, Shilo TV.
Furlong is the founder and executive creative director of BasicNature.TV, a creative content, design and art studio. Through it, he recently produced a broadcast promotional campaign for NBC, serving as creative director, writer, director, editor and visual effects artist. He also produced content for analytics specialist Elesvier, the State of New Jersey and the charity My Social Canvas.
Furlong’s previous background includes posts as a director and creative director with Little Minx TV and 1stAveMachine, and freelance work through Psyop, Method Studios and other shops. Earlier in his career, he served as a creative director and designer at Brand New School and Motion Theory. In 2014 Furlong earned an Emmy in art direction for his work on the NBC’s Sunday Night Football intro starring Carrie Underwood.
“First and foremost, I’m a problem solver,” said Furlong of his approach. “I love using different mediums, styles and techniques to tell the best and most engaging story. I love doing VFX in-camera as much as possible to create real-world magic that inspires awe and wonder. As a former actor, I love bringing out the best in talent and encourage the entire team throughout the process.”
In describing his move to Alkemy X, Furlong cited its deep resources and talented staff. “My strengths as a creator lie in the perfect balance of powerful live action performance with elegantly designed special effects; I love creating the impossible both in and out of the camera,” he said. “For a long time, I’ve had my eye out for a studio with the capabilities necessary to help me with that vision. Not only does Alkemy X provide incredible visuals for major episodic content, but they fully support their roster of directors and have a great footing in the production arena. They have all the tools I need at my disposal.”
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More