Rodrigo Prieto–an Oscar-nominated cinematographer for the Ang Lee-directed Brokeback Mountain and whose lensing credits also include such lauded features as Pedro Almodovar’s Broken Embraces, Alejandro González Iñárritu ‘s Babel and Julie Taymor’s Frida–has signed with Little Minx for representation as a commercials director.
Prieto is experienced in spotmaking, having shot notable commercials that include Ikea’s “Lamp” directed by Spike Jonze and American Airlines’ “New York Minute” helmed by Rupert Sanders.
Born in Mexico City, Prieto studied at Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica, a leading Mexican film school, and began his career as a still photographer, then cinematographer on commercials. Concurrently, he moved into features, gaining international acclaim with Academy Award, ASC, BAFTA and Independent Spirit nominations. He’s also been honored with Ariel Awards (Mexico’s equivalent of Oscars) and the Venice Film Festival’s Golden Osella Award. He moved to Los Angeles in 2000 after he shot Iñárritu ‘s breakthrough film, Amores Perros.
Also among his cinematography credits is the Detroit rap film 8 Mile. The movie’s saturated blues and greens and gritty textures stemmed from Prieto and director Curtis Hanson canvassing Detroit for locations and spending a lot of time talking with residents, doing numerous tests for colors and textures, and drawing inspiration from frescos by Detroit Institute of Arts’ Diego Rivera. “I had just finished shooting Frida and went to see Diego Rivera’s work in Detroit,” Prieto related. “It ended up being very inspiring for me on 8 Mile.”
“So many things I do as a cinematographer factor in to directing,” Prieto said. “I enjoy working with actors. I’m not the type of cinematographer who lets the paraphernalia of the camera take over. I acted in the theater while I was in school and really enjoyed it. I like operating the camera to be physically close to the actors as they perform. It’s about connecting with the emotion. The lighting, composition, production design, costumes, editing, sound and music, are all elements that support the transmission of that emotion to the audience. A director ties these elements together in collaboration with the creative team to bring a story to life. That is a process I find fascinating.
“I’m drawn to pieces with humanity, stories and ideas that I can connect with and find captivating,” he continued. “Like with the films I’ve worked on, in commercials I enjoy exploring any genre. As a director, I’m open and flexible for whatever comes at me.”
Prieto added that he was drawn to Little Minx by the people there, including president Rhea Scott. “I’m confident they know my strengths,” he said.
More of Prieto’s cinematography is slated to hit the big screen this year, with Oliver Stone’s Wall Street 2 and Iñárritu ‘s Biutiful.
Ron Cicero and Bo Clancey Launch Production House 34North
Executive producers Ron Cicero and Bo Clancey have teamed to launch 34North. The shop opens with a roster which includes accomplished directors Jan Wentz, Ben Nakamura Whitehouse, David Edwards and Mario Feil, as well as such up-and-coming filmmakers as Glenn Stewart and Chris Fowles. Nakamura Whitehouse, Edwards, Feil and Fowles come over from CoMPANY Films, the production company for which Cicero served as an EP for the past nearly five years. Director Wentz had most recently been with production house Skunk while Stewart now gains his first U.S. representation. EP Clancey was freelance producing prior to the formation of 34North. He and Cicero have known each other for some 25 years, recently reconnecting on a job directed by Fowles. Cicero said that he and Clancey “want to keep a highly focused roster where talent management can be one on one--where we all share in the directors’ success together.” Clancey also brings an agency pedigree to the new venture. “I started at Campbell Ewald in accounts, no less,” said Clancey. “I saw firsthand how much work agencies put in before we even see a script. You have to respect that investment. These agency experiences really shaped my approach to production--it’s about empathy, listening between the lines, and ultimately making the process seamless.” 34North represents a meeting point--both literally and creatively. Named after the latitude of Malibu, Calif., where the idea for the company was born, it also embraces the power of storytelling. “34North118West was the first GPS-enabled narrative,” Cicero explained. “That blend of art and technology, to captivate an audience, mirrors what we do here--create compelling work, with talented people, harnessing state-of-the-art... Read More