Director/cinematographer Lutz Hattenhauer has joined Grand Large, marking his first representation in the U.S. Hattenhauer has also just wrapped his first Grand Large project–for Porsche out of Chicago agency Cramer-Krasselt.
The signing of Hattenhauer is the latest move for Grand Large, which last month signed director Katie Bell and in January added director Favourite Colour: Black.
According to Steve Horton, founder and executive producer at Grand Large, who attended the Porsche shoot in Barcelona, “Lutz is great at communicating his creative ideas and getting everyone on board. His constant collaboration sets up a really positive environment.”
Hattenhauer got his start in Germany as a stills photographer who migrated to the camera department, eventually working as a DP on films, documentaries and commercials. Explaining his move into directing, he shared, “Some people are totally happy spending their days on airplanes, going from job to job. But that’s not me. The time a DP can spend on a job to contribute his or her visual talent and ideas has become shorter and shorter. So I switched.”
In addition to Porsche, Hattenhauer has directed for BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz. He also is a sports enthusiast and has directed spots for Casio G-Shock and Adidas that demonstrate his ease at working in high altitudes and under extreme conditions.
“I am still operating the camera on half of my shoots,” said Hattenhauer. “But I enjoy being the director, and am very happy when someone surprises me with ideas as to framing or an angle that I didn’t have in mind already.”
Hattenhauer joins a Grand Large roster that also includes award-winning female directors Julie Taymor, Gaysorn Thavat, Lisa Immordino Vreeland, and Tracey Rowe, as well as Bell and fashion/beauty newcomer Elle, in addition to Tom Kan, Tran Anh Hung, and Favourite Colour: Black.
California Gov. Newsom Signs Laws To Protect Actors Against Unauthorized Use Of AI
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed off Tuesday on legislation aiming at protecting Hollywood actors and performers against unauthorized artificial intelligence that could be used to create digital clones of themselves without their consent.
The new laws come as California legislators ramped up efforts this year to regulate the marquee industry that is increasingly affecting the daily lives of Americans but has had little to no oversight in the United States.
The laws also reflect the priorities of the Democratic governor who's walking a tightrope between protecting the public and workers against potential AI risks and nurturing the rapidly evolving homegrown industry.
"We continue to wade through uncharted territory when it comes to how AI and digital media is transforming the entertainment industry, but our North Star has always been to protect workers," Newsom said in a statement. "This legislation ensures the industry can continue thriving while strengthening protections for workers and how their likeness can or cannot be used."
Inspired by the Hollywood actors' strike last year over low wages and concerns that studios would use AI technology to replace workers, a new California law will allow performers to back out of existing contracts if vague language might allow studios to freely use AI to digitally clone their voices and likeness. The law is set to take effect in 2025 and has the support of the California Labor Federation and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA.
Another law signed by Newsom, also supported by SAG-AFTRA, prevents dead performers from being digitally cloned for commercial purposes without the permission of their estates. Supporters said the law is... Read More