December 11, 2009 Oscar-winning actress Anjelica Huston has joined Original Film for representation as a director of spots and branded content. Huston is no stranger to the director’s chair, having been nominated in 1997 for both a DGA Award as well as an Emmy for her helming of the dramatic special Bastard Out of Carolina…..While Mad Men has made its mark in primetime, a modern day ad agency, JWT, is looking to do the same but as a TV special creator/producer. And like Mad Men, the new show has a retro appeal, hearkening back to the yuletide tradition of the animation special which in the 1960s brought us Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Frosty The Snowman. Indeed JWT NY has its fingers crossed that Yes, Virginia, its half-hour animation special for client Macy’s, will have similar staying power for many Christmases to come. Yes, Virginia is slated to debut tonight (12/11) on CBS. Yes, Virginia was created and produced by Macy’s and JWT in conjunction with The Ebeling Group and MEC Entertainment. The special was directed by Pete Circuitt who is handled worldwide by The Ebeling Group….Director Michael Engler, a three-time DGA Award nominee for his work on the sitcoms 30 Rock (2008) and Sex and the City (‘02, ‘04), has entered into a deal to helm spots via NY production house Moon….
December 10, 2004 Marcus Kemp is joining BBDO Atlanta as vice chairman/CCO on Jan. 3. Currently, he is managing director/worldwide creative director on the Intel account at Euro RSCG Worldwide…Jeff Nieberding has joined Young & Laramore, Indianapolis, as a sr. writer. Additionally, Trevor Williams has been promoted to associate creative director….Richard Bullock and Andy Fackrell have been named joint executive creative directors at 180, Amsterdam….Michael Prieve is joining Young & Rubicam Brands, Irvine, Calif., as ECD….Kirk Souder, president/ECD of Publicis & Hal Riney, San Francisco, is leaving the agency to pursue a master’s degree in psychology. Jon Soto and Jae Goodman will become co-ECDs….John Immesoete, who was on the agency creative side for 15-plus years before exiting his post as group CD at DDB Chicago several months ago, has signed with Backyard as a spot director. The deal also partners Immesoete and Backyard to explore opportunities in branded entertainment….
“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