Editor Karen Knowles Zuniga, formerly of her own kk.e. boutique, has come aboard Rival Editorial, a shop launched in late 2005 by executive producer Bill Fortney with editors Adrienne Gits and Steve MacCorkle.
At the start of her career, Zuniga spent five years as a producer at TBWA Chiat/Day, Los Angeles. She later made the transition to editor, joining King Cut in Venice, Calif., where she enjoyed a seven-year tenure. Then in ’03, she launched kk.e. There she collaborated closely with TBWA/Chiat/Day and Digital Domain, Venice, on “Blender,” a live-action/CG spot that launched the Sony PSP (portable PlayStation). Among her many other ad credits, she also cut the H&R Block “Willie Nelson” Super Bowl spot directed by Bryan Buckley of bicoastal/international Hungry Man.
“While I enjoyed heading my own company, I ultimately missed working with other editors,” says Knowles Zuniga. “At Rival, I have already found a truly collaborative and rare environment. Steve, Adrienne and I all enjoy sharing ideas and give each other support and inspiration.”
At Rival, Zuniga cut two of the four American Inventor contestant product commercials which became an integral part of the ABC primetime series grand finale shows this season. Those four spots were produced by Plum Productions, Santa Monica–with two directed by Jason Moore, the other two by Eric Heimbold.
Breakout Films and Major Takeaways From This Year’s Sundance Fest
Film wasn't the only thing on people's minds at this year's Sundance Film Festival, which comes to a close Sunday in Park City, Utah ( and online ).
The effects of the wildfires in Southern California loomed large, as did the bittersweet knowledge that this year will be the second to last Sundance based in Park City. Some films offered an escape from reality; others were a pointed reminder of the domestic and international political landscape, from transgender rights to the war in Ukraine.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the 41st edition of the festival.
The effects of the Southern California fires were deeply felt
The wildfires were still burning in parts of Los Angeles when Sundance began last week and reminders of its devastation were everywhere, even on screen. Max Walker-Silverman's "Rebuilding," starring Josh O'Connor as a cowboy who loses his ranch in a wildfire and forms a community with fellow survivors in a FEMA camp, hit close to home for many.
Filmmakers Meena Menon and Paul Gleason lost their home in Altadena where they filmed some of their zombie apocalypse movie "Didn't Die." Sundance artist labs head Michelle Satter lost her Palisades home as well. Satter had an audience of Sundance Institute donors in tears early in the festival while accepting an honor at a fundraising gala.
"It's a deeply devastating time for us and so many others, a moment that calls for all of us coming together to support our bigger community," Satter said. "As a friend recently noted, and I have to listen to this, 'Take a deep breath ... We lost our village, but at the end of the day we are the village.'"
The festival's move to another city dominated conversations
It was a topic... Read More