Bicoastal production company m ss ng p eces has added director Jared Knecht to its roster for commercial representation. A multidisciplinary director with a background in writing and cinematography, Knecht most recently directed “See Yourself In Others,” the flagship ad for the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival out of agency DDB New York. Knecht lands his first career spot/branded content representation via m ss ng p eces.
Knecht’s 2016 short film Skümaskot, shot on location in Iceland amid extreme conditions, was an official selection for the Cannes Court Métrage (Short Film Corner). He has also directed spots for Zildjian and Brixton, and as a cinematographer has lensed spots for Red Bull, Victoria’s Secret, and Chambord. Knecht taught himself various facets of filmmaking from a young age, creating videos for non-profit organizations including Compassion International and Sevenly.
“There are few things more exciting than working with a young talent like Jared,” shared Kate Oppenheim, partner and executive producer at m ss ng p eces. “His films and commercials are filled with a look that immediately stands out from the crowd.”
Knecht said he was drawn to m ss ng p eces in part by “their excitement and energy.” He described the company has having “a great culture that fosters a close-knit familiar approach to work. But I’m truly excited because we share the same passion for storytelling. They are risk takers not just on a technical frontier but daring to make great work that speaks to the human condition.”
First-Time Feature Directors Make Major Splash At AFI Fest, Generate Oscar Buzz
Two first-time feature directors who are generating Oscar buzz this awards season were front and center this past weekend at AFI Fest in Hollywood. Rachel Morrison, who made history as the first woman nominated for a Best Cinematography Oscar---on the strength of Mudbound in 2018--brought her feature directorial debut, The Fire Inside (Amazon MGM Studios), to the festival on Sunday (10/27), and shared insights into the film during a conversation session immediately following the screening. This came a day after William Goldenberg, an Oscar-winning editor for Argo in 2013, had his initial foray into feature directing, Unstoppable (Amazon MGM Studios), showcased at the AFI proceedings. He too spoke after the screening during a panel discussion. The Fire Inside--which made its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival--tells the story of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (portrayed by Ryan Destiny), a Black boxer from Flint, Mich., who trained to become the first woman in U.S. history to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the sport. She achieved this feat--with the help of coach Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry)--only to find that her victory at the Summer Games came with relatively little fanfare and no endorsement deals. So much for the hope that the historic accomplishment would be a ticket out of socioeconomic purgatory for Shields and her family. It seemed like yet another setback in a cycle of adversity throughout Shields’ life but she persevered, going on to win her second Gold Medal at the next Olympics and becoming a champion for gender equality and equitable pay for women in sports. Shields has served as a source of inspiration for woman athletes worldwide--as well as to the community of... Read More