Director Chris Applebaum has signed with bicoastal Mutt Film for U.S. representation spanning commercials. music videos and branded content. Applebaum started directing music videos at 19 and went on to become a multiple MTV award winner and six-time Grammy Award nominee. He has directed iconic videos including Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Britney Spears’ “Overprotected,” and Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA.” Applebaum’s “Closing Time” for Semisonic was the first music video inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Applebaum also has to his credit multiple Super Bowl spots. His campaign with 72&Sunny for Carl’s Jr took the brand from middle of the pack to a high-profile leader in the food/restaurant category.. The commercials he directed were edgy, sexy and very funny. It was daring work at the time, helping the brand define itself and take its place in the popular zeitgeist.
Fashion and beauty are genres that became natural fits for Applebaum’s ability to make women look stunning. His grasp of and appreciation for lighting are at the core of his success. Campaigns for John Frieda, Wella and Head&Shoulders are just a few he put his signature stamp on. He has a natural gift for handling celebrities, knowing how to make them comfortable. Applebaum has also exhibited an affinity for shooting products and food. He has filmed hundreds of spots, including Muller with Nicole Sherzinger, Rooms to Go with Sophia Vergara, Sketchers with Kim Kardashian, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and McDonald’s. Prior to joining Mutt Film, Applebaum had been repped by Durable Goods.
Beth George, executive producer at Mutt Film, said, “We are excited at Mutt to welcome Chris not only because of the rich history and massive talent, but also because of how he has brought his well-honed skills to new work for social media. I’ve never seen someone with this much energy and delight in what he is doing. He is taking fashion & beauty to a very modern place. It’s raw natural lighting, handheld cameras and in your face performances. We love it and can’t wait to see what new work we can create together.”
Applebaum is joined at Mutt by his long-time EP Mike Brady who said, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Chris across many different areas of advertising and content. He is truly a talent, and brings enthusiasm and experience to everything he directs. His standout work for Yum brands was an eye opener, and he made the work unique and cool!”
Applebaum said, “People remember when I was 19 and signed with Propaganda/Satellite and making all the cool music videos. But what they don’t know about me is that I haven’t aged (internally). I embrace new technology, shoot a lot of stuff on the iPhone, shoot with smaller crews, and have thrown myself headlong into technology and film production 2024. It was important for me to align with a company that saw me as a Swiss Army Knife and to support how I embrace social media, the new era that we’re in, and where we’re looking forward and not back. This union brings the expertise and experience of decades of filmmaking, which means we can make fast, great, easy decisions about production, and marries it with the bright, exciting, childlike wonder of looking.”
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More