Chromista–the production house founded by Oscar-nominated (Black Swan) director Darren Aronofsky and partners/producers Scott Franklin, Sandy Haddad and Ted Robbins–has signed writer and director Eliza McNitt for commercial representation.
Earlier this year writer/director McNitt’s VR series Spheres, a three-part episodic journey through space and time produced by Aronofsky and Ari Handel through Aronofsky’s company Protozoa, made history at the Sundance Film Festival when it became the first-ever VR experience to be sold in a seven-figure festival deal. Episode two, "Songs of Spacetime," which premiered at Sundance, was narrated by Jessica Chastain. The third episode, "Pale Blue Dot," previewed at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival and is narrated by Patti Smith. Episode one will premiere in late 2018.
McNitt specializes in VR and traditional filmmaking, often working alongside scientists to tell stories about the human connection to the cosmos. She is a two time winner of the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, with work that has appeared at major film festivals, including Tribeca, SXSW, Sundance, Hot Docs, Cannes Next and AFI. Recently she collaborated with Karlie Kloss on a series for Ford called Trailblazers of STEAM, and with Google, for Pixel, to create the short-film, Dot of Light, following three astronauts’ journey to the stars.
McNitt rounds out a Chromista directorial roster that includes Aronofsky, Xavier Mairesse, Marcelo Burgos, Kasra Farahani, Dael Oates, Alessandro Pacciani, Elliott Lester, Daniel Portrait, and Josh Cole.
Angelina Jolie To Receive Gothams Performer Tribute For “Marie”
The Gotham Film & Media Institute has announced that Academy Award®-winner Angelina Jolie will receive the Performer Tribute for her performance as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s upcoming film Maria, at the 34th edition of The Gothams, taking place on Monday, December 2, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The tribute will honor Jolie’s rendition of legendary opera singer Callas.
“Like the legendary figure she portrays, Angelina Jolie transcends mere performance to craft something extraordinary. Her interpretation captures both Maria Callas’ complexity as an artist and the cultural resonance that defines an icon,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham. “We are thrilled to celebrate what is truly one of Ms. Jolie’s career-defining performances in the final installment of Pablo Larrain’s magnificent trilogy.”
Maria follows Callas, one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century, as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye. The film reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life. Written by Steven Knight, with cinematography by Ed Lachman and costumes by Massimo Cantini Parrini, Maria has Jolie joined by a star-studded cast including Alba Rohrwacher (Hungry Hearts, Happy As Lazzaro), Pierfrancesco Favino (Padrenostro, Adagio), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog, Dolemite Is My Name), and Valeria Golino (For Your Love, The Beautiful Game). Marie premiered to critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival and Jolie’s performance continues to stun audiences at the New York Film Festival, London Film Festival and the AFI Fest. Maria will be in... Read More