Production house kaboom has added director/editor Noah Kistler to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and other branded projects. This marks his first such career representation.
Laying the foundation for Kistler and kaboom formally coming together was a positive experience they had collaborating on a U.S. Air Force project for agency GSD&M. Kistler directed the job as an independent via kaboom, which witnessed firsthand his ability to work under conditions that involved propriety, passion and skill. The piece captures the essence of the U.S. Air Force Maintainers for whom mission ready means teamwork, hard work, integrity, expertise, keeping eyes and ears open, and being ready to jump into action. For Kistler, these same ideals carry over into production–on screen and off–to honor the integrity of those who serve.
“Filming for the military takes someone who is thoughtful, creative, and flexible enough to handle it,” said kaboom founder/EP Lauren Schwartz. “Noah is that person; a gracious collaborator who really cares deeply about every detail–from showing deep respect for the people and their stories, to creating a filmic look for the campaign. We are excited to officially welcome him to our roster and look forward to delivering engaging stories through our expanded collaboration.”
“Working with Lauren I was able to see her impressive experience in action,” said Kistler. “As a company, kaboom has a great blend of being small enough to feel connected to the team and culture but with depth and reach.”
Kistler is an East Coast raised, Los Angeles-based director and editor. For over a decade, Kistler has edited movie trailers and documentaries for entertainment networks, production companies, studios, and streaming platforms including A24, Netflix, Neon, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Hulu, PBS, Discovery and Magnolia Pictures.
He holds a B.A. in philosophy from Wesleyan University and an MFA in film from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. His debut short film, Dear Jane, premiered at the 2020 Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Among his collaborations as a director are projects for Polaris and Greats.
Review: Writer-Director Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance”
In its first two hours, "The Substance" is a well-made, entertaining movie. Writer-director Coralie Fargeat treats audiences to a heavy dose of biting social commentary on ageism and sexism in Hollywood, with a spoonful of sugar- and sparkle-doused body horror.
But the film's deliciously unhinged, blood-soaked and inevitably polarizing third act is what makes it unforgettable.
What begins as a dread-inducing but still relatively palatable sci-fi flick spirals deeper into absurdism and violence, eventually erupting — quite literally — into a full-blown monster movie. Let the viewer decide who the monster is.
Fargeat — who won best screenplay at this year's Cannes Film Festival — has been vocal about her reverence for "The Fly" director David Cronenberg, and fans of the godfather of body horror will see his unmistakable influence. But "The Substance" is also wholly unique and benefits from Fargeat's perspective, which, according to the French filmmaker, has involved extensive grappling with her own relationship to her body and society's scrutiny.
"The Substance" tells the story of Elisabeth Sparkle, a famed aerobics instructor with a televised show, played by a powerfully vulnerable Demi Moore. Sparkle is fired on her 50th birthday by a ruthless executive — a perfectly cast Dennis Quaid, who nails sleazy and gross.
Feeling rejected by a town that once loved her and despairing over her bygone star power, Sparkle learns from a handsome young nurse about a black-market drug that promises to create a "younger, more beautiful, more perfect" version of its user. Though she initially tosses the phone number in the trash, she soon fishes it out in a desperate panic and places an order.
The one rule to follow is that... Read More