Grace Silverstein of Santa Monica-based independent rep firm Reel Grace has taken on the West Coast for RMI, the New York-headquartered music house (with an L.A. studio) headed by owner/composer Robert Miller….Susanne Kelly has joined New York-based music/sound design/mix house Headroom Digital Audio as director of marketing….DP Eric Trageser has signed with Innovative Artists, Santa Monica, for exclusive representation in features, commercials and music videos….Cinematographer Manfred Reiff has signed with Ambitious Entertainment, Sherman Oaks, Calif., for worldwide representation…. DP Christopher Probst and production designer Matthew F. Holt are now available exclusively through the Lyons Sheldon Prosnit Agency, Los Angeles…. Cinematographer Doug Chamberlain and production designer Michael Perry have signed with bicoastal Paradigm for exclusive representation…. Production designer Anne Ross has joined The Skouras Agency, Santa Monica, for exclusive representation….Orlando Management, Sherman Oaks, Calif., has signed production designer Bill Lakoff for representation. His credits include spots for The Gap, Levi’s, Victoria’s Secret, Earthlink and Domino’s Pizza, as well as music videos for such artists as Stained, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Kid Rock and Missy Elliot….
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