Though it’s hardly a well-kept secret that director Spike Jonze has decided to stay put at bicoastal/international Satellite for spots and music videos (SHOOT "Street Talk," 1/14, p. 30), official confirmation came last week that his contract extension is for three years.
Jonze’s most recent commercialmaking endeavors include Nike’s "Morning After," a tongue-in-cheek take on a Y2K catastrophe scenario out of Wieden & Kennedy, Portland, Ore. (SHOOT "Top Spot," 11/26/99, p. 8). In longform, Jonze earned a best director Oscar nomination earlier this week for his feature directing debut, Being John Malkovich. Last month, the movie earned Jonze a Directors Guild of America Awards nomination
Sam Walsh, general manager of bicoastal/international Propaganda Films Commercial and Music Video Division—which includes the Satellite label—said that Jonze’s decision to remain with the company is significant in several respects. "Having him stay as the arc of his career is skyrocketing, and when awareness of him is at an all-time high, is inspirational to the company and the directors here," said Walsh of Jonze, who’s been a part of the Propaganda family for the past eight years. "His success across different disciplines is in line with what we hope to offer all our directors: different venues for their creativity. Spike’s presence will help the directors here, and will help attract other directors to the company."
Walsh acknowledged that keeping a star director like Jonze is important to Propaganda because of the message that it sends to the marketplace of directors, production houses and ad agencies—particularly as several other directors have recently left to reunite with former Propaganda executives. "Spike’s decision to continue his relationship with us shows that we’re a place that remains serious about maintaining the high level of creativity and ideal creative working environment for directors that the company has been known for over the years," said Walsh. "We are committed to opening up new career and creative opportunities for our directors."
Of the directorial departures in recent months, Walsh related that "we’ve lost some directors whose work we cherish and respect—and whom we would have liked to have stayed with us." But the defections, he said, weren’t all that surprising as he reiterated his observations upon joining Propaganda in November (SHOOT, 11/12/99, p. 1). Walsh noted that it’s difficult to change "the flow of momentum that’s already in place, in terms of the loyalties of some directors and their commitments to others." Walsh affirmed, however, that Propaganda and Satellite maintain a strong core of directors and that the prospects are good for building upon that talent base.
As earlier reported—most recently in different installments of "Street Talk"—directors who have left Propaganda over the past couple of months are David Fincher, Andrew Douglas, David Kellogg and Malcolm Venville. Those directors are now all with 8Media, the bicoastal company launched by Propaganda co-founder and former chairman Steve Golin and former Propaganda president Jim Tauber. Another Propaganda alumnus, Dave Morrison, is also a key executive at 8Media.
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Besides his accomplishments in spots (i.e. Sprite, Snapple, Coca-Cola, Coors, Nissan, Wrangler, Lee and Levi’s) and longform, Jonze has to his credit music videos for such artists as REM, Bjork, the Beastie Boys, Weezer, Fatboy Slim, Sean Lennon, Daft Punk, the Chemical Brothers, and Sean "Puffy" Combs.
"We are excited to continue our relationship with Spike Jonze," said Propaganda president Rick Hess. Trevor Macy, COO of Propaganda added, "Jonze deserves to pick and choose creative endeavors that will allow him to utilize his full potential. Propaganda and Satellite are launching pads for many fine directors, and we are committed to offering them a home where they can flourish in multiple media."
In a released statement, Jonze explained the rationale behind his decision to stay at Satellite. "I really like the direction the company is going," said Jonze. "I also enjoy being in the presence of all the other directors here at Satellite. I feel like we’re all playing on the same team."
Also renewing his affiliation with Satellite is Vincent Landay, Jonze’s longtime producing partner and producer of Being John Malkovich.
The Satellite directorial roster includes Jonze, Lance Bangs, Brian Beletic, Kevin Bray, Jhoan Camitz, Peter Care, Tamra Davis, Mark Osborne, Mark Romanek and Josh Taft.
