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.
