Limey, a year-old production house headed by owner/executive producer Andrew Denyer, has entered into a strategic alliance with Chelsea. The move enables Limey–which handles directors Adam Cameron and Scott Weintrob–to maintain its independence as a boutique shop while being able to tap into the extensive resources, global production footprint, and acumen of Chelsea and its partners Allison Amon and Lisa Mehling.
In some respects, the new alliance represents a best-of-both-worlds scenario for Denyer whose experience spans large production houses as well as smaller entrepreneurial startups. On the former score, Denyer was an executive producer at the venerable Propaganda Films and later served as head of production at the since closed Headquarters while also handling some exec producer responsibilities there. Denyer then went the small shop route upon coming aboard Big Lawn Films in 2005. In ’09, Denyer joined Trio Films, headed by exec producers/owners Taylor Ferguson and Erin Tauscher whose support he enjoyed last year with the advent of Limey which wrapped during that time spots directed by Cameron for such clients as American Signature (starring LeBron James) and Dunkin’ Donuts, and a major campaign helmed by Weintrob for the Volvo S60 and V60. The latter was produced for agencies Arnold, London, and Euro RSCG 4D, Amsterdam.
Denyer described the Trio partners as having been “incredibly supportive but it is now time to stand on my own.” So he took Limey independent and struck up the alliance with Chelsea to help create “additional opportunities” for his directors. He also cited the advantages of being able to brainstrom and strategize with Chelsea’s Amon and Mehling.
Since forming the relationship with Chelsea, Limey has produced a Cameron-directed three-spot package for Joe’s Crab Shack out of Dallas agency Slingshot. And at press time Cameron was in the midst of a Mobil 1 assignment for McCann Erickson, New York.
Denyer came to know Cameron at Headquarters back when the director was part of the successful duo Joe Public, which earned a DGA Award nomination.
Weintrob is an alumnus of the BBC hit show Top Gear for which he directed assorted segments over the years. He also has a series, Mega Drive, which premiered last month on MTV, and another show in the offing for MTV. Denyer is looking to expand Limey’s roster with talent to complement Cameron and Weintrob.
Limey has its own independent sales team in place consisting of Jared Shapiro (from indie rep firm Moustache) on the East Coast, Stacey Altman (Stacey and Co.) in the West and Texas, and Janice Harryman (Barker) and Jim Robison (Jim Robison Reps) in the Midwest.
Director Lu Villaca Joins MADRE
Production company MADRE has added Brazilian director Lu Villaça to its talent roster. With degrees in cinema and performance and a master’s in screenwriting, Villaça brings a multifaceted approach to filmmaking. Villaça’s tastes have been shaped by her childhood training in ballet, studying Greek theatre texts, her passion for music, and her contemplative nature. She honed her cinematic skills early on as an AD and creative assistant before becoming a director. Intent on capturing the drama of everyday life as it plays out, Villaça is tuned in to how the bodies in her frame move through their environments and what elements of the story can be extrapolated from these compositions. Her sharp attention to detail in every aspect, from lighting to the final edit, is designed to connect emotionally with her audience. Villaça has been awarded three Cannes Lions for her film “Next Minute Law,” which promoted awareness of a law in Brazil designed to address the rampant epidemic of sexual violence. “Next Minute Law” also garnered Best Direction at El Ojo and the Ciclope Latino Festival, where Villaça also won Best New Talent. Additionally, she has directed assorted commercial campaigns for brands like Johnnie Walker, Huggies Wipes, Nestlé, Amazon, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, and a spot for Medley featuring Brazilian Olympic gymnast Rebeca Andrade. Prior to joining MADRE, Villaca had been repped by production house LOBO. Recognized in Brazil as a top music video director, Villaca won Best Female Direction for her work on “Nu” by Assucena and “Lovezinho” by Rachel Reis, which also won Best National Music Video at the MVF Awards. Villaça additionally co-directed the documentary Pagliacci, an homage to circus artist Domingos Montagner... Read More