Brazilian director Rodrigo Saavedra has joined Pulse for representation in commercials and branded entertainment in the U.K. Saavedra’s spot credits span such brands as Budweiser, Chivas Regal, Nissan, Mizuno and Volkswagen. His interactive spot for the latter earned a Film Craft Silver Lion at this year’s Cannes festival, in addition to a Bronze Lion for a viral ad he directed for Scrabble.
Prior to directing full time, Saavedra cut his commercial credentials in senior creative roles for various agencies, including Mother London, independent Africa Brazil, W+K Amsterdam and Santo Buenos Aires. With this experience, Saavedra not only saw first-hand how production played a vital role in bringing a concept to life, adding layers to a script to take it to the next level, but also gained a solid understanding of the demands creatives are under and how to work in a way that would both support and enhance their vision.
Saavedra said, “I have always considered myself to be a U.K. creative, having spent many years working agency side in London, and am excited to be working with Pulse to further cement my directing profile here. Pulse is one of the freshest companies I have come across, and I saw a synergy between the ways we both approach work, alongside a mutual commitment to quality.”
“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