Palomar Pictures, Los Angeles, has fortified its roster by signing director Darren Grant for spots and music videos, as well as director Marcos Siega for clip work. Siega maintains his commercial affiliation with bicoastal/international hungry man.
Grant comes over from Los Angeles-headquartered A Band Apart, which he joined in August 1999 (SHOOT, 8/13/99, p. 1). At A Band Apart, he primarily directed music videos for R&B and rap artists. They included Destiny’s Child’s "Survivor," Monica’s "Street Symphony," Boyz II Men’s "Pass You Buy," Lucy Pearl’s "Dance Tonight" and Craig David’s "Fill Me In." Also among Grant’s credits at A Band Apart were two spots for DDB Chicago: an installment of Budweiser’s so-called "Neighbors" campaign, and a PSA for Variety Club, a nationwide children’s organization.
Grant explained that he was drawn to his new production company roost for several reasons—one being his regard for Palomar music video executive producer Lanette Phillips, whom he has known for a few years.
"I wanted to do more work, different work," added Grant. "While I’m definitely interested in music videos and commercials, I’m really into some of the special projects they have going, as well. One thing that attracted me to Palomar was [chairman/ CEO] Joni Sighvatsson and all the different things he’s trying to do. [Palomar] wants to be cutting-edge in every medium."
Of particular interest to him, Grant said, are Palomar’s documentary and film management arms. So, too, are the firm’s new-media/Internet resources via Palomar’s affiliation with Los Angeles-based Fullerene Productions and with Web site iFILM.
Grant earned a film degree from California State University, Northridge. While building his directorial reel, he also worked in various crew capacities—he was a runner at bicoastal/international Propaganda Films, a P.A. and eventually an electrician. In 1997, he joined his first production roost, Shooting Star Pictures, Los Angeles, where he directed dozens of clips.
Siega was previously repped for videos by Los Angeles-based Bonfire Films of America. His credits included Blink 182’s "All the Small Things," which won an MTV Video Music Award for best group music video and an Music Video Production Association Award for best pop music video of the year. Another Siega-directed Blink 182 clip, "What’s My Age Again?," picked up best modern rock video of the year at the Billboard Music Awards.
Other clips included "Unforgetful You" for Jars of Clay, "Last Resort" and "Broken Home" for Papa Roach, "Rock the Party" for P.O.D., "Inside Out" and "Fueled/Nothing" for Anthrax, "Why?" for Collective Soul, and "Hashpipe" for Weezer.
Phillips handles sales for Palomar’s music video division. Its commercial directors are repped in the Midwest by Los Angeles-based Jim Robison; on the East Coast by Phillip Alden of Claire Alden, New York; and on the West Coast by Holly Ross of Red, Los Angeles.
