Luke Anderson comes aboard as partner & exec producer
Entertainment production company London Alley has added Lake Bell to its directorial roster for representation spanning commercials, branded content, music videos, film and TV. In addition to director, actress and screenwriter Bell, London Alley is bringing aboard Luke Anderson as partner and executive producer. Anderson is co-founder of Cann, a cannabis-infused beverage and the 2022 Cannabis Clio Brand of the Year.
Bell and Anderson’s combined brand storytelling, talent relationships and deep understanding of the cultural zeitgeist are poised to drive London Alley through its next phase of growth. Bell–who earlier was repped in the ad arena by Epoch Films–joins London Alley on the heels of her partnering with the company on Cann’s short film “Cann-Do Holiday,” which received widespread, positive accolades from several publications including Paper magazine, Nylon, People magazine and Forbes. Bell brings more than 20 years experience in the entertainment industry both in front of and behind the camera through titles including Pam and Tommy, Bless This Mess, and In A World.
“I’m excited to be continuing my relationship with London Alley and officially joining the team as a director,” said Bell. “It’s an exciting opportunity to have a lane to create a new genre of work in ads and creative, and I can’t think of a better collective to join. In working with London Alley for the campaign with Cann this past holiday season, their vision to bridge diverse and authentic storytelling in this industry is what drew me to the opportunity and I look forward to working closely together to further that with my work.”
Partner and EP Anderson will work with Lake and the London Alley executive team to win and produce creative projects, with a focus on diversity and authentic storytelling. Under Anderson's stewardship, Cann has raised more than $40M in funding from major institutional firms and celebrity investors including Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Rosario Dawson, Judd Apatow, and more. Anderson is also the brains behind Cann’s marketing campaigns for which he scored 15 wins at the 2022 Clio Cannabis Awards, including the aforementioned Brand of the Year honor. The company was also recognized for its pride campaign and music video “Taste So Good,” also produced by London Alley, which featured Patricia Arquette, Vincint, Sarah Michelle Gellar, MNEK, and several stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
“As a long-time client and collaborator with London Alley, I have experienced firsthand their ability to produce world-class creative content that shapes culture. It’s a dream to officially join their team,” said Anderson. “Getting to work directly with Lake on subversive, comedic, and authentically diverse and inclusive storytelling projects is an honor–she truly is one of the best writers and directors in the world and a fantastic addition to our roster.”
London Alley’s recent work includes producing SZA’s “Kill Bill” music video, Pepsi’s “The One That I Want,” and Tiesto & Tate McRae’s “10:35” music video for the Atlantis Hotel.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More