Filmmakers Justin Lin, Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, and producer Todd Makurath have launched Magnetic Field, a shop evolving out of previous commercial production company Bullitt.
Magnetic Field is a community of filmmakers uniting masters of craft and fresh voices to marry premium entertainment with branded content. Led by managing director Hillary Rogers, Magnetic Field directors include Lin, the Russo Brothers, Anderson Wright, Anthony Leonardi III, Director Brothers, India Harris, Louis Leterrier, Ramez (MEZZY) Silyan, Shelley Lewis, Somayeh, and Yoni Lappin. Chris Abitbol and Jenni Sprunger serve as Magnetic Field executive producers.
Magnetic Field will also foster close ties between film and television production companies AGBO and Perfect Storm Entertainment, co-founded by the Russos and Lin, respectively, to create new project and mentorship opportunities for its roster directors,
“Having a global perspective supports compelling storytelling,” noted Lin. “Magnetic Field takes a holistic approach to production, considering the viewpoints of the filmmaker, client, and audience to deliver content that’s multidimensional. It’s a shared ethos with Perfect Storm Entertainment, and a common thread throughout our community of sister companies.”
“When we launched our commercial production company nearly a decade ago, a primary focus was to provide an avenue for established filmmakers to experiment in the advertising realm. With Magnetic Field, we’re recalibrating to champion fresh talent and ideas while continuing a legacy of excellence,” shared Joe and Anthony Russo in a joint statement.
Rogers added, “Modern advertising is more than traditional commercials. Rather than shoehorn projects into dated models, Magnetic Field is flexible and can move very quickly to solve for client challenges. We also combine the best of entertainment and commercials, providing clients with a one-stop destination to reach a range of talent with powerful skill sets.”
Lin’s directorial credits span features (Fast & Furious, Fast & Furious 6, F9: The Fast Saga) and television (Community, Scorpion, True Detective, Star Trek Beyond, The Endgame). The Russo Brothers have directed such blockbusters as Avengers: Endgame, Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, served as producers of Best Picture Oscar winner Everything Everywhere All at Once, and shared an Emmy for direction of a comedy series for the pilot of Arrested Development.
Magnetic Field is repped by Resource on the West Coast, The Standard Society in the Midwest, and Reprizent on the East Coast.
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