Looking Glass Films, an L.A. shop under the aegis of executive producer June Guterman, has gained an infusion of international filmmaking talent, entering into an alliance with London-based Tomboy Films, overseen by managing directors Glynis Murray and Barnaby Spurrier. Per the deal, Looking Glass will handle U.S. representation for Tomboy’s roster of filmmakers. Conversely, Tomboy gains U.K. representation for the Looking Glass ensemble of directorial talent.
Looking Glass thus gains for stateside projects such notable Tomboy filmmakers as Stephen Frears (The Queen, The Grifters), John Madden (Shakespeare In Love, The Debt, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) and Kirk Jones (Waking Ned Devine, Nanny McPhee, Everybody’s Fine, What To Expect When You’re Expecting). Meanwhile Tomboy will look to procure select U.K. assignments for Looking Glass filmmakers including David Mamet and Jean Jacques Annaud.
Tomboy and Looking Glass feature a mix of filmmaking talent who span multiple disciplines, including features, TV and commercials. The Tomboy Films roster–now available in the U.S. via Looking Glass–is comprised of directors Frears, Madden and Jones, Andrea Arnold, Andrew Gaynord, Ben Caron, Ben Miller, Benjamin Till, Clio Barnard, Dominic Brigstocke, Fez, Gregory Rood, Hugh O’Conor, Jeremy Jeffs, Joe Cornish, John Carney, John Crowley, Justin Chadwick, Karan Kandhari, Lenny Abrahamson, Marcus Tomlinson, Mark Mylod, Matthew Huntley, Oliver Smyth, Patrick Cadell, Paul Walker, Peter Capaldi, Richard Loncraine, Sandra Goldbacher, Shane Meadows, Simon Cheek, and Zam Salim.
The Looking Glass directorial lineup includes Annaud, Mamet, Alfonso Arau, Suzuya Bobo, Laurent Briet, Kerry Conran, Renny Harlin, Lesli Linka Glatter, Fatima Andrade Koehler, Andy Dugan, Barbara McDonough, Francine McDougall, Paul McGuigan, Dito Montiel, Marine Panossian, Chris Rock, Mark Simmons, Cliff Watts and Marlon Wayans.
Many of the directors have successfully crossed over from features and other long-form fare to commercials and branded content. For example, on the Tomboy side, Jones’ ad endeavors include directing spots for McDonald’s and Werthers. Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl, The First Grader) helmed digital content for the London Olympics. Walker (Shameless) recently directed Wieden+Kennedy’s initial work for Tesco. And Sandra Goldbacher (Emmy nominated for the BBC series The Hour) has directed spots for Special K and Ferrero Rocher.
As for the multiple disciplinary exploits of the Looking Glass directors, prime examples include Mamet (The Spanish Prisoner, Heist, House of Games) who has helmed for Ford), McGuigan (Wicker Park and TV shows such as Smash and Sherlock) who directed a Radio One spot, and Montiel (Empire State, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints) with ad fare for NKLA.
Guterman said that Looking Glass Films has been producing a lot of work internationally, noting, “Commercial production is a world market today. In addition to our US.. jobs, we’ve been working with London, Brazil, Singapore, and the rest of Europe.” She mused that she’s “begun to feel like a production company/travel agent – luckily we all love to travel , and both companies’ rosters are equally comfortable shooting in the U.S., U.K. and anywhere else in the world.”
In terms of UK representation for her directors, Guterman sought a very specific fit. “I wanted people who could properly rep A-list directors and do a great job executing production, as well as partnering with us in the process–a hands-on approach is critical when dealing with major talents,” she said. “Also, production is different in every country. Tomboy Films has great relationships with U.K. agencies and an exceptional understanding of that market.” In addition to their respective rosters, both Looking Glass Films and Tomboy Films have off-roster relationships with directors available for special projects that expand options for brands and agencies.
Tomboy’s Murray observed that the production house has “an unusually eclectic roster and finding a partner who is attuned to the way we work and the caliber of directors we represent was very important for us. We are confident that Looking Glass Films and Tomboy will be a very successful combination.”
Recent work produced by Looking Glass Films includes the SK-II launch campaign with Kate Bosworth (via Leo Burnett) helmed by Cliff Watts, who also photographed 2012 Sexiest Woman Alive Mila Kunis for the November cover of Esquire. Tomboy Films’ recent work includes projects for Churchill Insurance, Tesco, 02 and Ferrero Rocher. Tomboy was one of the official digital content providers for the London Olympics.
The Looking Glass Films and Tomboy Films rosters are repped in the U.S. by Sarah Holbrook on the East Coast, Chris Breneman in the Midwest, and Marla Mossberg on the West Coast.
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More