International film and content company Pulse Films has hired Kira Carstensen as executive producer and president of commercials for its recently launched U.S. division. She will be responsible for driving growth of the company's domestic presence and commercials and branded content business. Carstensen will operate from Los Angeles, base of Pulse's American operations, and work directly with CEO Thomas Benski.
Carstensen comes to Pulse Films after seven years at production company Supply & Demand where, as executive producer and partner, she helmed the commercials division and helped grow the company's roster from four to 16 directors. Carstensen earned a Short Subject Documentary Oscar nomination in 2012 at Supply & Demand for producing the Lucy Walker-directed The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom. EP Carstensen's multidisciplinary experience spans documentary and narrative film, TV and commercials. Her clients have included Chrysler, Cadillac, EA Sports, Mercedes-Benz, Fiat, Activision and Procter & Gamble.
Carstensen's arrival follows Pulse's recently announced U.S. partnership with VICE Media that will see the two companies develop a series of co-produced long-form TV & film projects together. It also follows a global commission by MTV International for an eight-part, U.S.-based docuseries called Sleeping with the Family, as well as successful commercial and branded content campaigns with clients that include Samsung, Adidas, Levi's, McDonalds, Nokia and Sony.
Pulse has produced a number of large-scale, culturally focused projects in America since launching in the market. They include the LCD Soundsystem film Shut Up and Play the Hits (with VICE Media), an official selection at both Sundance Film Festival and SXSW 2012; the Paramount-released Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D, which on release quickly became the fourth-highest grossing music documentary of all time; and the Grammy nominated Blur documentary No Distance Left to Run. Other productions include Who is Dayani Cristal? (winner of Best Cinematography at Sundance 2013, official selection New York Film Festival & San Sebastian), starring Gael Garcia Bernal, 20,000 Days on Earth with Nick Cave and a definitive feature documentary about the Backstreet Boys.
Pulse Films was founded in 2005 in the UK. It has offices in London, Paris, Los Angeles and New York.
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More