Director Matt Aselton, executive producer Marc Marrie and managing director Mal Ward have teamed to launch Arts & Sciences, a bicoastal production house. The trio comes over from Epoch Films and each will serve as a managing partner of Arts & Sciences, working out of its West Hollywood, Calif. office.
Aselton joined Epoch’s directorial roster in 2004, helming assorted commercials, and writing and directing his first feature film, Gigantic, which debuted at the Toronto Film Festival in ’08. Ward had been Epoch’s head of sales since ’02, and Marrie produced noted spots with Epoch for 11 years.
Aselton, Marrie and Ward’s new venture can access the back room operations (to reduce overhead) as well as the feature film division of Epoch Films, which is supportive of Arts & Sciences’ endeavors. Already Arts & Sciences has turned out several jobs and added to its directorial lineup. On the latter score, the company signed independent feature director Azazel Jacobs whose credits include Momma’s Man and The GoodTimesKid. Jacobs’ most recent feature, Terri, premiered at Sundance and will be released theatrically next month.
As for the alluded to projects produced by Arts & Sciences, thus far they include the Carl’s Jr. launch campaign for david&goliath, ESPN for Wieden+Kennedy, New York, and a package of three Jet Blue commercials for Mullen, Boston. All the work was directed by Aselton. Among the JetBlue fare was “Middle Seat,” a :30 which earned SHOOT Top Spot distinction (SHOOT, 5/6) and featured fast talker John Moschitta who’s famed in the ad biz for his 1981 Federal Express commercial “Fast Paced World,” directed by the legendary Joe Sedelmaier.
Furthermore at press time, Arts & Sciences was in production on a new launch for Toyota via Saatchi & Saatchi LA, also being helmed by Aselton.
Arts & Sciences will be represented by Representation Co’s Tara Averill and John Robertson on the East Coast, and Dexter Randazzo and Irma Rodriguez on the West Coast. Marguerite Juliusson will handle sales in the Midwest.
Director/DP Timothy Hogan Joins French Butter
French Butter, the food and beverage production company based in Chicago and Los Angeles, has added director/DP Timothy Hogan to its roster. A veteran director, Hogan got his start in still photography and brings extensive experience shooting liquids, fashion and jewelry, among other product categories, to the company.
Hogan brings more than just a DP’s eye to the French Butter talent offering. An experienced teacher, writer and lecturer, he’s done everything from building studios to teaching courses at his alma mater, Syracuse University, to being published in some of the industry’s leading creative and design publications. A self-professed tinkerer who got his start in film after filling just about every role when it came to lighting, rigging and styling his many still shoots, he shares insights into everything from how to approach client relations to keeping your creative spark on his social media channels.
With a reel that includes work for a wide range of brands, Hogan adds an extra dimension to the French Butter roster, which includes founding director/DP Brett Froomer as well as director/DP Jennifer Davick. Hogan’s film work includes such brands as Absolut Vodka, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Sam Adams, Courvoisier, David Yurman, Miller Coors, Johnnie Walker, Gucci and Chanel. Prior to joining French Butter, Hogan had most recently been directing independently.
“Tim has that special eye for detail, lighting and composition that you often find when photographers move into film direction,” said Froomer. “And he’s a true magician when it comes to shooting liquids. I’m looking forward to working with him as we integrate him and his workflow into the French Butter family.”
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