Margarita Mix de Santa Monica has upgraded its mixing suites to full high definition. The facility’s infrastructure has been re-engineered with the Fairlight Dream Constellation (integrated mixing consoles and digital audio workstations) routed to a Digital High Definition D5 VCR. The upgrade allows for the mixing of 5.1 surround sound to HD picture as well as layup to and layback from HD picture……In The Groove Music, Minneapolis, has brought composers Brian Casey and Danny Burke on board….FirstCom Music, Los Angeles, is looking to expand its presence in the video game market. The shop recently provided the theme music (“March Popakov Remix,” written by John Cacavas and produced by Danger Mouse) for Grand Theft Auto–Liberty City Stories. Additionally, the music will be featured in all TV advertising for the game worldwide. FirstCom sports more than 38,000 compositions in assorted catalogs. The company has had recent music placements in such TV shows as The OC, The West Wing, Lost and Medium. Recent feature film placements include ElizabethTown, Into The Blue and In Her Shoes….Dave Baker of Resonante Music and Sound Design, San Francisco, recently wrapped sound design for two spots–“Reminder” and “Tell All”–promoting My People, an Internet phone service, out of New York ad agency Anomaly. Additionally Resonante’s Craig Helmholz provided sound design for two SBC :15 spots, “Balloon” and “Reveal,” for agency GSD&M, Austin, Texas…..Miller’s new campaign–consisting of the spots “Runner,” “Extensions” and “Halftime”–directed by David Frankham of bicoastal Smuggler for Young & Rubicam, Chicago, featured music from Human, New York, sound design by Jeff Fuller of eleven, Santa Monica, and editor Jim Haygood of Spot Welders, Venice, Calif., and audio post mixing by Fuller, with Dj Fox-Engstrom executive producing for eleven…..
Directors Amy+Pilar and Jose Antonio Prat Join Reform School
Boutique content production company Reform has added comedy directing duo Amy+Pilar (Amy York Rubin and Pilar Boehm) and award-winning multicultural director Jose Antonio Prat to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded entertainment.
Partners in both life and art, Amy+Pilar are know for their sharp wit and comedic timing. Their synchronicity is evident in a body of work across TV, film and commercials. Prior to joining Reform School, Amy+Pilar had been repped in the ad market by production company Knucklehead.
Amy has directed high-profile comedy sketches featuring stars like Amy Schumer, Kate McKinnon, and Sarah Silverman. On the episodic front, Amy has helmed for series such as Fresh Off the Boat, Casual, Superstore and Angie Tribeca--as well as the pilot for the hit Netflix comedy Dead to Me.
Before joining forces with Amy behind the camera, Pilar was a psychotherapist, a background that informs her ability to create fascinating characters and stage irresistible, nuanced performances. Amy and Pilar’s shared passion for comedy brought them together. Their collaboration began with a Synchrony Bank campaign, starring cult-comedy favorite Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics), and they went on to direct the pilot of the Hulu series Love, Victor. Amy+Pilar’s ad fare also includes spots for Uber’s “Go-Get” campaign and “Shift,” starring Martin Starr.
“We have been fans of Amy and Pilar for a long time,” said Ryan Ennis, executive director at Reform School. “They excel at capturing comedic performances and dialogue. Coming from the TV and L.A. comedy scenes, they’ve built a strong following and collaborated with some of our favorite funny people.... Read More