Visitor, a Santa Monica-based production company, has announced the signings of directors Ron Fricke and Rene Eram, as well as co-executive producer Mike Brady.
Director/cameramen Fricke and Brady have collaborated for a number of years. They’ve worked together at bicoastal Conspiracy since Brady helped launch that company’s West Coast office in Venice, Calif. (SHOOT, 3/10/00).
In December 1998, Fricke and Brady exited Atlas Pictures, Santa Monica, after a five-year stay. Fricke’s Atlas credits include spots for the Washington State Lottery via Publicis, Seattle; a Gateway campaign via McCann-Erickson, New York, and a multi-spot Jeep package via Bozell Worldwide (now FCB Worldwide), Southfield, Mich.
The two left Atlas to focus on making IMAX films, a longtime interest of Fricke. Back in ’83, Fricke co-wrote, co-edited and lensed the IMAX feature Koyaanisqatsi and followed it up with Chronos (’85), which he directed/DPed, co-produced and co-edited. He then served as director/DP on Sacred Site (’86) and director/DP, co-writer and co-editor on Baraka (’92); the latter was shot at various locations around the world. Fricke is now developing a sequel to Baraka, titled Samsarra, which he plans to direct and lens in 20-30 countries using a camera specifically designed for the project.
"Ron’s a really unique filmmaker," said Visitor president/ co-executive producer Olivier Katz. "He has a wonderful legacy of work. He’s mastered the art of motion control and stop-motion photography." Thus far at Visitor, Fricke has directed a Chevron spot out of J. Walter Thompson, San Francisco.
Also new to Visitor, comedy/dialogue specialist Eram had been serving as a freelance director since April. As a freelancer, he helmed several jobs that were produced through Conspiracy, including a spot for Partnership For a Drug-Free America via Fletcher Martin Ewing, Atlanta.
"A friend sent Rene to me [at Conspiracy]," said Brady. "I really enjoyed his work and I think he’s a talented director. When I was coming over to Visitor, I was very interested in signing him. So I introduced him to Olivier and [Visitor founder/ director] James Wahlberg. Rene liked it a lot and decided to join."
Katz added, "Naturally we’re pleased to have a comedy director on our roster, particularly in light of Dave Merhar’s departure." (Director Merhar has just signed with bicoastal HSI Productions. See "HSI Prodns. Signs Dir. Dave Merhar" in this issue). Already at Visitor, Eram has directed a spot for USA Today via Anton & Partners, New York.
Previously, Eram was affiliated with Venice, Calif.-based t minus 30 Films; he had been exclusively signed to that company from April ’98 until earlier this year. Prior to that, he had freelanced for two years, working regularly with t minus 30. His credits there included commercials for Boston Market via Suissa Miller, Los Angeles; Skytel Pager via Lois/EJL, Los Angeles; and Kinko’s, out of Hal Riney & Partners (now Publicis & Hal Riney), San Francisco.
Eram launched his directing career with a short film, Rufus, that garnered industry attention and led to his getting a job to write and direct humorous corporate films for a firm in Washington, D.C. Shortly thereafter, he directed his first spot, for Arizona Trauma Center, which subsequently earned recognition from the Clio Awards, among other award shows.
He then joined his first production company, Los Angeles-based The Colman Group, leaving after three years to pursue long-form projects. But in ’95, Eram was encouraged to return to the spot world by t minus 30 executive producer John Clark (who is now executive producer at Boxer Films, Los Angeles).
Concluded Katz, "We certainly intend to add to our roster, and we felt that two executive producers at the helm would allow us to strengthen our management capabilities, both in terms of career management and production management."
Besides Fricke and Eram, the Visitor directorial roster consists of Wahlberg and Lionel Coleman. Visitor is repped on the West Coast by Ellen Knable, in the Midwest by Hilary Herbst and on the East Coast by Michael Sitzer.
