The agency and production house–The Martin Agency and Tool of North America, respectively–that teamed on the lauded Clouds Over Cuba (News and Documentary Emmy winner in the New Approaches: Documentaries category, and honors from the AICP Show, D&AD, The One Show, Clios, Art Directors Club, and 11 Cannes Lions) are at it again for The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Foundation. This time around the project is the AnIdeaLivesOn.org, an online tribute to President John F. Kennedy that aims to create a multigenerational conversation about the many ways in which the legacy of our nation's 35th president lives on today.
Named for President Kennedy's poignant observation that, "A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on," the project invites the public to participate in the creation of an interactive documentary, putting a modern, human face on the enduring impact of John F. Kennedy. Stories from Congressman John Lewis, comedian Conan O'Brien, NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, actor Martin Sheen, House Leader Nancy Pelosi, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, journalist Luke Russert, and inaugural poet Richard Blanco will be introduced on the site throughout the week leading up to November 22, 2013.
"During a time when so much of the conversation is looking back at that tragic day in Dallas [JFK's assassination], we are excited to bring together voices from people around the world who continue to be inspired by President Kennedy fifty years later," said Tom McNaught, executive director of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. "In celebrating public service, peaceful diplomacy, the arts, civil rights, responsible citizenship, and the exploration of new frontiers, we honor the best in President Kennedy and ourselves."
The Kennedy Library Foundation partnered with The Martin Agency and Tool on the project. The site is populated with personal stories in many forms: video, audio, text, photographs and tweets. The public is invited to submit content to www.AnIdeaLivesOn.org, where the Library will curate submissions and spotlight the most compelling stories. Submissions are also invited through social media, using the hashtag #AnIdeaLivesOn. The site will remain open for submissions through 2013 and beyond.
An Idea Lives On is a film, but can be interrupted and explored like a website. The individual stories will be assigned to a category of JFK's legacy, including volunteerism, the space program, arts and humanities, civil rights, immigration, fashion, politics, education, religion and the countless buildings, monuments, streets, schools and programs named after Kennedy. The user can decide what to watch and in what order, and each specific story is shareable via social media.
Specific content currently on the site at launch includes: Richard Blanco, the 2013 inaugural poet, speaking about the arts and his connection to Kennedy and Robert Frost; Michael Dukakis, discussing JFK's legacy of public service and how it is still evident today; and two young people named after JFK reflecting on the impact of carrying his name and how a president they never knew inspires them today. In addition, roads, buildings and plazas bearing Kennedy's name, as well as famous quotes and speeches, have been reinterpreted by contemporary artists and are featured throughout the piece.
"Our 19-year relationship with the JFK Library has been one of the longest and most rewarding of my career," said Joe Alexander, chief creative officer at The Martin Agency." In the past few years, we've gone to the moon together — http://wechoosethemoon.org/. We've revisited the lessons learned during the Cuban Missile Crisis — http://cloudsovercuba.com/. Now, when others are remembering the circumstances around Kennedy's assassination, we're highlighting the ways he lives on."
The An Idea Lives On initiative was created by Alexander, his Martin Agency colleagues Brian Williams and Wade Alger, and Tool director Ben Tricklebank (who teamed with Tool's Erich Joiner to direct Clouds Over Cuba). Tool handled digital and live-action production.
Other key members of The Martin Agency ensemble included executive producer Steve Humble, producer Anya Mills, director of digital production Darren Himebrook, interactive producer Neil Cox, project manager/jr. interactive producer Ryan Micklos, and director of brand partnerships Leslie Griles.
DGA Feature Nominees: Audiard, Baker, Berger, Corbet and Mangold
The field of feature nominees for the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards spanning two categories is set. Nominated for the DGA honor for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 are: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez, Sean Baker for Anora, Edward Berger for Conclave, Brady Corbet for The Brutalist, and James Mangold for A Complete Unknown.
The DGA also revealed the nominees for the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film. The first-time narrative feature directors are: Payal Kapadia for All We Imagine as Light, Megan Park for My Old Ass, RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys, Halfdan Ullman Tondel for Armand, and Sean Wang for Diddy.
“2024 has been a truly extraordinary year for storytelling--and today’s nominees have created audacious and unique films that expand the possibilities of cinematic excellence,” said DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter. “I am thrilled to congratulate all our nominated directors for their brilliant work, which is visionary, inspirational and speaks to the depth of the human experience. To be chosen by one’s peers is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement and what makes these nominations so very special.”
The winners will be announced at the 77th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 8.
Here’s a fuller rundown of the nominees in both DGA Award categories:
THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 (in alphabetical order):
JACQUES AUDIARD
Emilia Pérez
(Netflix)
SEAN... Read More