Light Iron, the postproduction creative services division of Panavision, has promoted Ethan Schwartz to sr. colorist. Based out of Light Iron’s Los Angeles facility, Schwartz will continue to support clients globally.
Schwartz’s recent credits include the series What We Do in the Shadows and MacGruber and the features Pink Skies Ahead and Palm Springs. He joined Light Iron in 2013, serving initially as a dailies engineer in support of the company’s Outpost near-set dailies systems. With a deep understanding of the technology underpinning Light Iron’s creative workflows and a passion for the art and craft of cinematography, Schwartz began his transition into color grading by assisting Light Iron supervising colorist Ian Vertovec and sr. colorist Corinne Bogdanowicz. Soon thereafter, he began notching solo credits on short-form projects, series, and features, and in the years since, he’s put together a vast body of work for an array of distributors, including Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Hulu, OWN, and Peacock.
“It’s been wonderful to watch Ethan’s career develop,” said Seth Hallen, managing director at Light Iron. “From his early role as a dailies engineer through his mastery of multiple grading systems, he’s immersed himself in the technology that enables Light Iron’s innovative workflows. Beyond his technical expertise, he brings an artist’s eye and a genuine passion for collaboration to every project, which resonates with all of the clients he supports.”
“Light Iron continues to be an amazing place to grow in my career,” said Schwartz. “It’s been really special to have all of these opportunities here. This job is about combining the always-evolving technical side with the creative, abstract side, and that challenge is endlessly rewarding. There are new ideas, techniques and approaches to discover on every project. I’m excited to continue collaborating with and being inspired by cinematographers and directors, who are always so passionate about elevating their work.”
In addition to Schwartz’s promotion, Light Iron has announced that colorist Katie Jordan, who was previously based in Los Angeles, is now working out of the company’s New York facility. Since joining Light Iron in early 2021, Jordan has notched credits on the series The Chi, the feature A House on the Bayou, and the Sundance 2022-premiering projects Palm Trees and Power Lines, Am I OK? and Huella. Her earlier credits include the feature Promising Young Woman and the series The Dark Crystal: The Age of Resistance.
Jordan’s presence in New York strengthens Light Iron’s foothold across North America and bolsters the company’s local talent available for the East Coast market. Furthermore, thanks to Light Iron’s best-in-class remote-collaboration capabilities, Jordan will continue to serve clients wherever they’re located.
Additionally Pat Fitzgerald, who was previously sr. online editor, and Keith Jenson, who was previously sr. online finishing artist, have each been promoted to colorist. Fitzgerald and Jenson are based in Los Angeles and New York, respectively, with the ability to collaborate with clients globally.
Light Iron maintains facilities in in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Albuquerque, Chicago, New Orleans, Toronto and Vancouver.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More