Mixed media production house Hornet Inc. has launched a digital production company, Bossa, in partnership with creative director Andrezza Valentin, formerly with B-Reel, and executive producer Hans Weiss, who had served as head of digital production at Havas Digital.
“Hornet has been keen to enter into the digital space, but we did not want to simply create a digital division within the company. To give this effort the best opportunity to succeed, we sought out new partners/owners to create a digital sister company with its own name and its own brand. We are happy to have found partners like Andrezza and Hans to steer this new company,” stated Hornet partner Michael Feder.
Drawing roots in Brazilian pop culture, “bossa” is slang for doing something with particular charm, natural flair, or innate ability. Some would say the closest translation is swagger. Bossa aims to tell brand stories with a little more swagger.
Located in SoHo in New York City, Bossa will have the full support of sister company Hornet through its roster of mixed media directors, infrastructure, and 10 years of production experience. Additionally, Bossa will be committed to collaborating with other live action and production companies where needed.
Directing and Editing “Conclave”; Insights From Edward Berger and Nick Emerson
It’s been a bruising election year but this time we’re referring to a ballot box struggle that’s more adult than the one you’d typically first think of in 2024. Rather, on the industry awards front, the election being cited is that of the Pope which takes front and center stage in director Edward Berger’s Conclave (Focus Features), based on the 2016 novel of the same title by Robert Harris. Adapted by screenwriter Peter Straugham, Conclave stars Ralph Fiennes as the cardinal leading the conclave that has convened to select the next Pope. While part political thriller, full of backstabbing and behind-closed-door machinations, Conclave also registers as a thoughtful adult drama dealing with themes such as a crisis of faith, weighing the greater good, and engaging in a struggle that’s as much about spirituality as the attainment of power.
Conclave is Berger’s first feature after his heralded All Quiet on the Western Front, winner of four Oscars in 2023, including for Best International Feature Film. And while Conclave would on the surface seem to be quite a departure from that World War I drama, there’s a shared bond of humanity which courses through both films.
For Berger, the heightened awareness of humanity hit home for him by virtue of where he was--in Rome, primarily at the famed Cinecittà studio--to shoot Conclave, sans any involvement from the Vatican. He recalled waking up in Rome to “soak up” the city. While having his morning espresso, Berger recollected looking out a window and seeing a priest walking about with a cigarette in his mouth, a nun having a cup of coffee, an archbishop carrying a briefcase. It dawned on Berger that these were just people going to... Read More