By Sarah Woodward
VENICE, Calif.—Noted comedy director Stephen Kessler has signed for exclusive commercial representation with Venice-based Trio Films, the year-old shop headed by executive producers Taylor Ferguson, Erin Tauscher and Annie Hanlon. Based in Los Angeles, Kessler had previously maintained his own company, bicoastal Promiseland, which he has since shut down.
The director’s final project through Promiseland-a shop he opened in late 1999-was a campaign for software company Intuit via Suissa Miller, Los Angeles. Last year, he also conceived, wrote and directed a humorous three-spot package for the Oxygen Network’s Sunday Night Sex Show (SHOOT, 1/17, p. 7). In the client-direct promos "Delivery," "Grandpa" and "Jacuzzi," people instigate candid conversations about sex toys, the G-spot and masturbation at inappropriate times, much to the shock and dismay of their companions.
Kessler recently took some time off from commercials, and during the hiatus took stock of what was going on in the industry. "I decided that the best [way] for me to focus on getting the best commercials was to be at someone else’s company," he said. "I knew Taylor had started a company, and I thought I’d like to work with someone like her. They also have great reps and a great support system [at Trio]. I think some good things will come of it."
At Promiseland, he also helmed ads for such clients as Budweiser via DDB Chicago, and the Los Angeles Times out of Ground Zero, Marina del Rey, Calif.
Prior to running Promiseland, Kessler spent seven years at bicoastal HSI. He was nominated for a Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award as best commercial director of ’91 based on spots for MasterCard, Giant Eagle Markets, MCI, Tony’s Pizza and Jack in the Box. He made the transition to director in the late ’80s, after having served as a copywriter at Chiat/Day (now TBWA/Chiat/Day), Los Angeles.
Notable Kessler-helmed credits over the years include assorted commercials like Snapple’s "Wendy" campaign from ’93 to ’96 via Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners, New York; ’97 prime-time season promos for the ABC Television Network’s "TV Is Good" campaign out of TBWA/ Chiat/Day, Los Angeles; and a New York Mets package last year, which included "Friendly Advice," a commercial that made SHOOT’s "The Best Work You May Never See" gallery (7/13/01, p. 11). The ads were created by davidandgoliath, Los Angeles.
Kessler’s other commercial credits include ads for ESPN, Kia, Saturn, Got Milk?, Pizza Hut and the California Department of Conservation.
Kessler has also helmed the features The Independent and Vegas Vacation, as well as the Academy Award-nominated short film Birch Street Gym.
At Trio, Kessler joins director Mike Wang and director/designer Suzanne Kiley. The company is represented on the East Coast by Stenz & Co., on the West Coast by Boss Talent and in the Midwest by Nikki Weiss & Co.
Alec Baldwin Urges Judge To Stand By Dismissal Of Involuntary Manslaughter Case In “Rust” Shooting
Alec Baldwin urged a New Mexico judge on Friday to stand by her decision to skuttle his trial and dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against the actor in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie.
State District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case against Baldwin halfway through a trial in July based on the withholding of evidence by police and prosecutors from the defense in the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust."
The charge against Baldwin was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can't be revived once any appeals of the decision are exhausted.
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey recently asked the judge to reconsider, arguing that there were insufficient facts and that Baldwin's due process rights had not been violated.
Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer on "Rust," was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal when it went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the revolver fired.
The case-ending evidence was ammunition that was brought into the sheriff's office in March by a man who said it could be related to Hutchins' killing. Prosecutors said they deemed the ammunition unrelated and unimportant, while Baldwin's lawyers alleged that they "buried" it and filed a successful motion to dismiss the case.
In her decision to dismiss the Baldwin case, Marlowe Sommer described "egregious discovery violations constituting misconduct" by law enforcement and prosecutors, as well as false testimony about physical evidence by a witness during the trial.
Defense counsel says that prosecutors tried to establish a link... Read More