While its prime focus continues to be content production, the venerable EUE/Screen Gems has made one significant change in its NYC business model, ending its long-time involvement in operating and maintaining large shooting stages in the city. EUE/Screen Gems has relocated from its facility home on the East Side of Manhattan–where it produced countless TV commercials and launched the careers of many directors–and now set up shop in light, airy, stylish offices on Greenwich Street in the West Village. The production company is putting its full energy into creating and producing content for ad agencies, brands and media firms, as well as its extensive projects in the TV programming and entertainment space.
Doug Wedeck, executive VP and exec producer of EUE/Screen Gems, said that to the best of his knowledge, the company’s former NYC studio space is not currently being operated as stages for shooting. He and the other executives at EUE are unaware of what’s in store for the stage space at this time. As EUE/Screen Gems does not own the building, they are not privy to the owner’s future plans.
“It was great to have the stages,” said EUE exec producer John Posimato. “We built some great relationships there and produced some really memorable work. But this is the right move for EUE/Screen Gems in New York today and going forward.”
EUE/Screen Gems continues to operate its major shooting stage complexes in the South. Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia, those studios have been home to numerous feature film, television and advertising projects.
Meanwhile, joining Wedeck and Posimato at the new Greenwich Street headquarters are such EUE/Screen Gems senior managers and leaders as COO Chris Cooney, EP/director of new business John Caffera and EP Tony Caronia. Recent ad projects produced by EUE/Screen Gems include the newly launched TV campaign for Rolaids featuring celebrity chef Guy Fieri, as well as commercials for such brands as Bank of America, Ethan Allen, the Boy Scouts of America and the Australian Gold line of sun care and salon products. Digital work from EUE includes web videos for Skinny Cow and Lean Cuisine.
EUE/Screen Gems now includes divisions focusing on advertising content creation and production–both in digital media and more traditional channels–and an entertainment division headquartered in L.A. that is represented by Creative Artists Agency.
The company continues to shoot commercials for major global brands and agencies around the world, Posimato pointed out, tapping a wide range of directorial talent. “Our size and scope have allowed us to develop lots of far-reaching relationships, both with clients and with directors,” he said. EUE/Screen Gems currently works closely with a number of advertisers for which it has preferred vendor status, and collaborates closely on production jobs with agencies, independent production consultants, client procurement departments and other stakeholders.
As for the capabilities available in the company’s new Greenwich Street home, Wedeck observed that, aside from no longer having big shooting stages, nothing has changed except the address, the decor and the vibe. “We still handle everything here from production through post, and that’s particularly important when dealing with longer format web projects,” he said.
Working out of three floors of a classic brick building in the heart of a bustling creative hub of ad agencies, production companies and tech firms, the new NYC space is a far cry from the former home of “Guiding Light,” the CBS daytime drama that was produced on EUE/Screen Gems’ midtown stage for years.
“Everyone loves working down here,” Wedeck said of the new headquarters. “It’s just a really great environment, and it reflects how we’ve adapted to the changing demands of our industry.”
Director Sebastian Brune Joins Storyform For His 1st U.S. Commercial Representation
Production and development company Storyform has added filmmaker Sebastian Brune to its roster for his first U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content.
The Berlin-based photographer and director started his career as an art director for the German basketball brand KIX, creative director for DEF, and creative producer for car-sharing company ShareNow. He later became a freelancer, working with brands like Volkswagen and Nike. His ability to shoot street culture led him to work with Adidas, Puma, and Cupra. Bruneโs talents as a photographer and filmmaker quickly made him a highly sought-after commercial collaborator, directing spots for brands including New Balance, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Prada, Red Bull, Harperโs Bazaar, and Under Armour, among many others. His short documentaries โOcean Front Walkโ and โWay Outโ artfully depict streetball and skateboarding culture in Los Angeles and have been screened at museums worldwide.
Bruneโs immersive storytelling sensibilities are drawn from the creativity and authenticity of urban culture. Influenced by rap music, graffiti, basketball, and the bold visuals of โ90s commercials and films, Brune adds an elevated cinematic vocabulary to his daring and naturalistic visuals, capturing the rougher edges of reality. Brune sees films as critical to inspiring new perspectives and processing new, deeper ideas.
โBeyond Storyformโs proven success as a leading production company, what truly resonates with me is their creative vision and approach to storytelling,โ said Brune. โFrom my first conversation, I felt understood and supported on a level beyond business. It was about shared passion and perspective. Their wealth of experience, remarkable talent, and invaluable guidance... Read More