Bicoastal Union Editorial has hired Melissa Lubin as executive producer in its New York office where she will be heading up new initiatives and pursuing expanded business opportunities for the company. Lubin will team with Union partner Caryn Maclean who now takes on the title of managing director. Prior to joining Union, Lubin spent four years as EP at Beast Editorial NY, a division of Deluxe Entertainment Services, Inc.
Lubin said she was drawn to Union’s high-caliber work, the “sterling reputation” of its people and the company’s forward-thinking vision. “In addition to award-winning spot work, Union has its eyes on the future, pursuing more docuseries and other interesting projects,” she said. “What they’ve done via Union Entertainment Group with regard to originating content is quite impressive.”
Maclean said, “I was looking for a partner and collaborator and I’ve found that in Melissa.”
Upon graduating from Binghamton University in 2005, Manhattan native Lubin got her start as a receptionist at the indie editorial outfit Cutting Room. She steadily rose through the ranks, holding positions there as assistant producer, producer, and sr. producer/head of production. She ultimately was appointed executive producer at age 28.
Lubin joined Beast NY as executive producer in 2016, managing the New York office as well as working closely with all regional Beast offices as a key executive selling editorial services across the country. She was deeply involved with various campaigns for clients such as Progressive, ExxonMobil, and Visa.
In working with agencies and production companies such as BBDO, TBWA, McCann, Droga5, RadicalMedia, Station Film, O Positive, SMUGGLER, PRETTYBIRD, and others, Lubin has curated a career rich in collaborative spirit.
Union Editorial has offices located in Los Angeles, New York, Austin, and London (where it maintains an alliance with Marshall Street Editors). The company also develops and produces original content through its Union Entertainment Group banner. Other Union companies include Resolution, which provides finishing services, VFX, graphics and mix for commercials, features and gaming. Union is presided over by partner/managing director Michael Raimondi in LA, Maclean alongside Lubin in NY, and executive producer Vicki Russell in Austin. The Union roster is comprised of partner/editors Jim Haygood, Einar Thorsteinsson, Jay Friedkin, Sloane Klevin, Marco Perez, Merritt Duff, and editors Chris Huth, Daniel Luna, Laura Milstein, Jason Lucas, Karen Kourtessis, Kevin Ray, Nicholas Wayman-Harris, Rachael Waxler, Zach Kashkett, Andrea MacArthur, Amanda Perry as well as select projects with Teddy Gersten,Tim Thornton-Allen, Matt Chesse, John Mayes, Spencer Ferszt, Paul Plew and the Marshall Street U.K. roster.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More