Filmmaker made his mark across commercials, music videos, shorts; RSA U.S. president Luke Ricci remembers him as a friend and a deeply talented, thoughtful artist
Douglas Avery, an accomplished commercial director known for his arresting visuals and affinity for capturing authentic performances, passed away last week (10/16) at his home in Los Angeles, after a multi-year battle with cancer. He was 54.
RSA Films U.S. president Luke Ricci, speaking on behalf of the company which was Avery’s commercial home, said: “We extend our deepest sympathies to Douglas’ family, his wife Pascha and children, Dalton and Lily. Myself and our team at RSA were lucky to work with Douglas and become his friends. He was a kind and thoughtful person who loved his family and friends very much. He had a remarkable talent, curiosity and passion for visual storytelling. His taste was impeccable; and reflected in his work with complex emotional landscapes, and an eye for beautiful composition with a rugged edge. Douglas also had a wicked sense of humor. We will miss him very much.”
Avery grew up in Boston, and began his career in New York as a photographer working with Richard Avedon, Steven Klein, Albert Watson and Annie Liebovitz. He also lived for a year in Japan, then went on to work in London and Paris as a fashion photographer for ID, The Face and Dazed & Confused. He left the fashion industry to pursue his affinity for narrative. His second short film–Hitch–was selected for Saatchi & Saatchi’s New Directors Showcase at Cannes. He followed this up with a Levi’s campaign for BBH London which won him Best New Director at the British Arrows. A year later he won a Clio Award for Direction for an Altoids commercial. And more accolades came with his music video for Pepe Deluxe, “Salami Fever,” which Bizarre Magazine named “Video of the Decade.”
Avery’s talent for gripping performances, cinematic visuals and compelling storytelling also shines in his recent work for Woody Creek Distillers campaign, with William H. Macy delivering his eccentric cool for the brand he is a partner in; and AXA’s “Kathmandu,” a candid portrayal of a heart wrenching true story from 2015’s devastating earthquake in Nepal.
In lieu of flowers, Avery’s family requests that donations be made to Stand Up To Cancer.
Angelina Jolie To Receive Gothams Performer Tribute For “Marie”
The Gotham Film & Media Institute has announced that Academy Award®-winner Angelina Jolie will receive the Performer Tribute for her performance as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s upcoming film Maria, at the 34th edition of The Gothams, taking place on Monday, December 2, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The tribute will honor Jolie’s rendition of legendary opera singer Callas.
“Like the legendary figure she portrays, Angelina Jolie transcends mere performance to craft something extraordinary. Her interpretation captures both Maria Callas’ complexity as an artist and the cultural resonance that defines an icon,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham. “We are thrilled to celebrate what is truly one of Ms. Jolie’s career-defining performances in the final installment of Pablo Larrain’s magnificent trilogy.”
Maria follows Callas, one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century, as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye. The film reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life. Written by Steven Knight, with cinematography by Ed Lachman and costumes by Massimo Cantini Parrini, Maria has Jolie joined by a star-studded cast including Alba Rohrwacher (Hungry Hearts, Happy As Lazzaro), Pierfrancesco Favino (Padrenostro, Adagio), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog, Dolemite Is My Name), and Valeria Golino (For Your Love, The Beautiful Game). Marie premiered to critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival and Jolie’s performance continues to stun audiences at the New York Film Festival, London Film Festival and the AFI Fest. Maria will be in... Read More