By Robert Goldrich
Bicoastal Johnson/Burnett, best known for providing production services and backroom/administrative support to the spot industry, has formed Aegis. The new bicoastal venture is designed to facilitate longform directors looking to diversify into commercials.
Aegis opens with a directorial roster that includes John Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate, Birdman of Alcatraz, Ronin and the soon-to-be-released Miramax feature Reindeer Games); ’99 Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker William Gazecki (WACO: Terms of Engagement); and Honey, a directing team consisting of visual effects specialist Nick Brooks ("The Painted World" sequence in the effects Oscar-winning What Dreams May Come) and his wife, effects helmer/cinematographer Laura Kelly.
Via Aegis, Gazecki and Honey gain their first formal representation for commercials. Frankenheimer, however, is no stranger to the spot arena. Earlier in his career, he was repped via the former GLG where he helmed a U.S. campaign for AT&T, "Bastille Day," shot on location in France.
Medsker
Aegis is under the day-to-day aegis of executive producer Bill Medsker, who continues to also serve as executive producer of Johnson/Burnett’s production services operation. Prior to joining the company in ’97, Medsker served as a production manager, assistant director, producer and executive in both features and commercials.
Medsker said that Aegis will help manage the creative needs of select filmmakers who would like to broaden meaningfully into spots as well as corporate films, music videos and/or new media.
Johnson/Burnett owner and president Biff Johnson also views Aegis as an opportunity to team different sets of creative sensibilities on projects, such as filmmaking vet Frankenheimer with new-generation agency creatives and music video artists. Aegis is being handled by New York-based independent rep Arthur Portnoy.
This is the latest in several expansive moves for Johnson/ Burnett. Several months ago, the company launched an entertainment division (SHOOT, 11/5/99, p. 8). Johnson/Burnett also plans to extend its global reach with additional production offices. A Toronto operation is in the immediate offing, according to Johnson.
Franklin Leonard and The Black List To Receive 2024 Gotham Awards Anniversary Tribute
Franklin Leonard and his company, the Black List, the platform dedicated to nurturing written storytelling and empowering writers to maximize their professional potential, will receive The Gotham Anniversary Tribute at the 34th annual Gotham Awards ceremony, taking place on Monday, December 2, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
The Anniversary Tribute was created by The Gotham Film & Media Institute in order to recognize the major milestones and storied commitments of entertainment’s most influential individuals. With the Anniversary Tribute, The Gotham will honor the 20th anniversary of the Black List, which has been dedicated to identifying and celebrating exceptional storytelling since it was first established by Leonard in 2005. Most recently, Mariska Hargitay received the Anniversary Tribute at the inaugural Gotham TV awards for her outstanding run on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
“With the Black List, Franklin Leonard has undeniably reshaped Hollywood by elevating talented writers and remarkable projects. His commitment to nurturing emerging screenwriters and lowering barriers to entry for talent is one that resonates deeply with The Gotham and our values,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham Film & Media Institute. “So many of Hollywood’s most beloved films, such as Juno, Slumdog Millionaire, and The King’s Speech, were all given a singular platform by the annual Black List that helped them get made. We are honored to present Franklin and the Black List with the Anniversary Tribute.”
First established as an annual survey of Hollywood’s most-liked unproduced screenplays, the Black List has since grown into a comprehensive resource for the film, TV,... Read More