Partners/producers Sharon Morov and Eric McCasline have launched Commune, a Santa Monica-based production house. The new venture sports a directorial roster consisting of Whitey McConnaughy, Sara Rotman and Mike Merryman.
Rotman and Merryman are both up-and-coming talents, while McConnaughy is Commune’s most established director. One of the writers/directors of Jackass, a franchise that spans a TV show and two movies (he is currently working on the second film), McConnaughy has helmed the first job produced under the commune banner: EA Sports’ “Indoors” for Wieden+Kennedy (W+K), Portland, Ore. He earlier directed projects directly for W+K, including work for EA and for Nike Skateboarding. McConnaughy also has to his directorial credit music videos for artists such as The Shins, Flogging Molly, Turbonegro and The Catheters.
Morov has been a line producer of commercials for the past 14 years, collaborating with such directors as Carlton Chase, Danny Ducovny, Sean Thonson and Chris Woods. McCasline has been a producer and production manager for the last five years, working at such houses as bicoastal/international MJZ, bicoastal Smuggler, and bicoastal/international Believe Media.
Commune is currently in discussion with reps on both coasts and in the Midwest. For the time being, the company is handling its own representation.