Editor Ben Whitten has come aboard NY-based postproduction shop Northern Lights. Whitten has nearly two decades of experience as an editor, with work spanning commercials, broadcast promos, co-branded initiatives, long form content, PSAs and radio spots. His background as a jazz musician brings a natural sense of rhythm to all of his projects, bringing out the emotion and arc of the storytelling. He has worked with ad agencies including Grey, JWT, Y&R, Draft FCB and major networks such as USA Network, Food Network and WE.
After studying jazz performance at Philadelphia’s The University of the Arts, Whitten headed to NYC with his sights set on the recording industry. He balanced an evening internship at a record label with a day job at a boutique advertising agency, where he got the chance to cut a number of small projects. In addition to editorial work, he climbed ranks to director of broadcast production, overseeing both in-house and outside production including editing, sound design, recording, mixing and licensing. As Whitten gained more experience editing, he moved on to editorial shop Mad House, where he spent nearly 15 years working with agencies on notable campaigns including an Addy Award-winning USPS 9/11 spot featuring Carly Simon’s “Let the River Run” and a series of music-driven spots for Burger King. He also utilized his musical background on a wide range of projects for Atlantic Records artists for almost a decade. Prior to joining Northern Lights, Whitten cut campaigns for the primetime series White Collar, Burn Notice, Complications and Suits.
Whitten said, “After meeting the team at Northern Lights I knew it would be a good fit. They have put together an incredibly talented group of people and the fact that they have production, design, audio and post, all under one roof is a direction that is exciting for me. I’m looking forward to being able to cross-pollinate with the other divisions and get the chance to work on a variety of work.”
Northern Lights partner David Gioiella noted, “Ben’s editorial style clearly communicates a unique point of view. And his diverse background in commercials, network promos and longer form assignments is a perfect fit.”
“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