Production company Framestore Pictures has signed internationally recognized commercial director and cinematographer Ivan Bird to its roster for representation in the U.S. and Canada. Bird had previously been repped in the American advertising market by Moxie Pictures.
Bird has worked with world-renowned talent, including Harrison Ford, Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Samuel L Jackson, Dustin Hoffman, David Beckham, Jude Law and Usain Bolt. Bird’s direction on award-winning commercials spans brands such as Atlantic, HSBC, Hitachi, Land Rover, Mercedes, McDonald’s, Nike, Shell, Sky, and The Times on Sunday.
Bird continues to be represented by Rattling Stick in the U.K., recently directing the world’s first “zero carbon-powered” ad alongside agency Mamapool for Hitachi to promote an environmental message ahead of the 2021 COP26 climate summit. He also directed Leo Burnett’s beloved retro spot “Simply Timeless” for McDonald’s as well as “Don’t Do Business Without It” for American Express alongside mcgarrybowen London.
“Welcoming Ivan and his rich history as an award-winning filmmaker to our roster is a big moment for Framestore Pictures,” said Jennifer Siegel, managing director of Framestore Pictures. “Ivan’s body of work is a testament to the way in which he continues to push the boundaries of filmmaking, which is what we strive to do at Framestore Pictures. Working alongside the VFX teams, there will be no limit to the way in which Ivan will tell stories.”
“The team at Framestore Pictures are so passionate about our industry, the craft, and driven to do great work,” said Bird. “I love the idea of working alongside them in a boutique environment, where everyone from production to post are looking out for each other and working together as a really strong unit. Postproduction is the future of our industry and the concept of a combined production/post house is exciting.”
Prior to moving into commercial direction, Bird’s work as DP was coveted by film and commercial directors such as Jonathan Glazer, Daniel Kleinman, Dante Ariola, Frank Budgen and Fredrik Bond. Bird’s credits as cinematographer include the award-winning film How to Stop a Recurring Dream, cult classic Sexy Beast, and the famed Guinness “Surfer” commercial.
Bird has been the recipient of assorted awards, including Clios, London International Awards, D&AD, and British Arrows.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More