Directorial roster includes Seth Gordon, Jared Hess, Michael Patrick Jann, Matt Smukler, and Pam Thomas
Executive producers Carl Swan and Lizzie Schwartz have teamed to launch Community Films. The new venture opens with a directorial roster consisting of Seth Gordon, Jared Hess, Michael Patrick Jann, Matt Smukler and Pam Thomas.
Swan and Schwartz previously served as exec producers at Hello! and Moxie Pictures, respectively. Community’s lineup includes directors who were formerly with those two houses as Smukler and Jann were with Hello, and Gordon, Hess and Thomas had been repped by Moxie.
Smukler is a prolific spot helmer. Commercial and TV director Pam Thomas has credits that include Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives. Jared Hess directed such features as Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre. Gordon’s endeavors include the documentary King of Kong and the comedy feature Horrible Bosses. And Jann has Reno 911 and Drop Dead Gorgeous among his credits. Hess, Gordon and Jann additionally have considerable spotmaking experience.
Together, Swan and Schwartz have more than 30 years experience producing commercials, web films, shorts, music videos, and features. Swan served as executive producer at Hello! and predecessor house HKM for 10 years. Earlier he served as head of production at Harmony Pictures.
Schwartz worked with producer Cary Woods at Miramax on features like Scream and Citizen Ruth, before going on to executive produce at Moxie Pictures for 15 years.
Community has already turned out several spots, including Smukler-directed fare for Robitusson via Grey and McDonald’s out of Moroch; a Pam Thomas-helmed job for Amica from agency Cronin & Company; and a Hess-directed assignment for Direct Auto and agency Cramer-Krasselt.
The production company’s sales team consists of Reprizent (Michael Arkin, Anna Triggs, Taina Torres-Wirth) on the East Coast, MJ Companies (Marguerite Juliusson) in the Midwest, and Amy Jones on the West Coast. Community is repped in the U.K. via London production house Independent.
“Dune: Part Two” and “House of the Dragon” Win 2 HPA Awards Apiece
Dune: Part Two and House of the Dragon each scored two HPA Awards during a gala ceremony at the Television Academy’s Wolf Theatre in North Hollywood, Calif. on Thursday night (11/7). The HPA Awards honor trailblazing talent in the postproduction industry, celebrating standout achievements in color grading, sound, editing, restoration, and visual effects across theatrical features, commercials, and episodics.
Dune: Part Two topped the Outstanding Color Grading--Live Action Theatrical Feature and the Outstanding Sound--Theatrical Feature categories.
House of the Dragon’s two wins were for “The Red Dragon and the Gold” episode which scored for Outstanding Visual Effects--Live Action Episode or Series Season, and Outstanding Editing--Episode or Non-Theatrical Feature (Over 30 Minutes). In the latter HPA Creative Category, House of the Dragon tied with the “Part Six: Far,l Far Away” episode of Ahsoka.
The HPA’s Judges Award for Creativity and Innovation honored Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour. This recognition celebrates the profound impact on both live and filmed entertainment that defined The Eras Tour, underscoring its exceptional impact on audiences and the industry. The jury issued a statement outlining their choice: “Celebrated as the cultural phenomenon of 2023, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour set new records in box office sales, tour revenues, and attendance. The tour showcased exceptional artistry and innovation, making a profound impact on both live and filmed entertainment.”
This year, FotoKem was awarded the Charles S. Swartz Award for its role in supporting filmmakers, studios, cinematographers, and artists across diverse film and media landscapes. Also celebrated... Read More