Editor Michael Hackett, who spent the past three years on staff with Crush Editorial, Santa Monica, has joined FilmCore, the edit house with operations in Santa Monica, San Francisco and New York.
Hackett brings experience in spots, music videos and episodic TV to his new roost. Among his most recent work is a visual effects-driven spot Chevy spot directed by Olivier Gondry of bicoastal/international Partizan for Campbell-Ewald, Detroit. This represents the latest collaboration for Hackett with Gondry. The pair has teamed three times. Earlier this year, Hackett cut the Gondry-helmed “Throw It In A Tundra” for Toyota via Saatchi & Saatchi L.A., Torrance, Calif. That spot shows two men loading items into the back end of a vehicle as their environment undergoes rapid changes in weather.
And in late 2005, Hackett performed a re-edit of the classic Go-Gos’ music video, “Our Lips Are Sealed.” The original video footage was blended with new footage of women wearing Nordstrom fashions. The piece was used to launch the retailers Nordstrom Silverscreen interactive media channel in November. The branded entertainment channel, which offers broadband video content that combines fashion, music, technology and pop culture, was created by Fallon, Minneapolis.
In addition to a remix of the Go-Gos’ song by Fatboy Slim, director Gondry created a remix of the song’s video. In the updated version, the Go-Gos are seen riding in a convertible and frolicking in a fountain; at the same time an updated crew of models mimics their moves, wearing fashions available at Nordstrom (users can click on the clothing to purchase it).
Hackett’s other credits include spots for such clients as PacifiCare, Calvin Klein and Toyota’s Rav-4 sports utility vehicle. For the latter Hackett edited “Versatility” which premiered during this year’s Super Bowl telecast. Directed by Gavin Bowden of Plum Productions, Santa Monica, “Versatility” shows the SUV’s interior features and exterior environment undergo a series of instantaneous changes.
“The spot included running footage, car mounts, interior green screens and exterior background plates, in addition to a ton of compositing and CG work,” related Hackett. “I worked very closely with the director and the visual effects house [Asylum, Santa Monica] on the project.”
Saatchi associate creative director Mark Taylor, who worked with Hackett on “Versatility” and several other jobs, said of the editor, “He is someone who will fight to the end. He just won’t let me down at any point. With the way clients will sometimes change their minds, you need an editor who will continue to do his best work even on the fourth revision. You want them to see the job through one-hundred percent all the way.”
Hackett began his career in production with t minus 30 films, Venice, Calif. He later transitioned into postproduction via that company’s editorial division. Hackett worked as an assistant editor on the TV series Babylon 5, where he was introduced to visual effects work. He then joined Avenue Edit, Santa Monica, where he graduated from assistant to editor. He has also freelanced through several Southern California edit houses, including Brass Knuckles and Oasis.
The End of The “Rust” Criminal Case Against Alec Baldwin May Unlock A Civil Lawsuit
The conclusion of a criminal case against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer clears the way for a related civil lawsuit by relatives of the deceased woman and efforts to depose the actor under oath, attorneys for plaintiffs in the civil suit said Tuesday.
At a news conference in Los Angeles, victims' rights attorney Gloria Allred said that the parents and younger sister of deceased cinematographer Halyna Hutchins were disappointed that prosecutors won't appeal the dismissal of an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin. The criminal charge against Baldwin was dismissed halfway through trial in July on allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense.
Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during a rehearsal in the movie "Rust" in October 2021 at a film-set ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Baldwin, the lead actor and coproducer, was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the revolver fired.
Allred said Hutchins' relatives are determined to pursue damages and compensation from Baldwin and "Rust" producers in New Mexico civil court, and want Baldwin to answer questions under oath in the proceedings. Hutchins' widower and son previously reached a separate legal settlement.
"With the withdrawal that was made public yesterday, we are now able to proceed with our civil case," Allred said. "Clearly, the rights of Alec Baldwin were protected, but the due process rights of the victims — Halyna Hutchins and her parents and her sister — were violated."
Allred said she's ready to prove that Hutchins had a close relationship... Read More