Kai Fischer is joining Berlin-based animation and content studio Woodblock as chief commercial officer. Fischer brings with him over 15 years of experience in digital and entertainment, content creation, business development and commerce. During his career, Fischer has built business partnerships with more than 80 companies. Notably, he has partnered with a host of brands and media companies, including AOL Germany, ADAC (Europe’s largest automobile club), and ProSiebenSat.1 (one of the continent’s largest media corporations). Among his latest endeavors is building the branded entertainment business from scratch at Constantin Film, an independent filmmaker and distributor in Germany. At Woodblock, Fischer’s efforts will be focused on business development and commercial partnerships, further developing the Woodblock brand and accelerating IP business….
Postproduction technology and services shop Mad Old Nut Productions, Inc. has appointed Ben Benedetti as executive sales director. In his new role, Benedetti will work closely with CEO Todd Ulman to expand the facility’s ties to studios and independent producers, as well as growing its footprint in the Avid rental market with Mad Old Nut’s remote hybrid editing solution, Apart But Together (ABT). Benedetti’s 30 year career in postproduction includes a broad spectrum of top tier studios and post houses. After breaking in as Ted Danson’s personal assistant on Cheers, Benedetti went on to implement the strategic plan for the development of a new post department at Disney Channel, then segued to leadership roles at Digital Symphony and Ascent Media. He moved to Sony Pictures Entertainment where, as a member of the executive team, he directly administered the award-winning TV sound editorial department while supporting business development for Sony’s Digital Picture Editorial, Post Media Center, Colorworks, and Sony Pictures Sound Facility. Benedetti joined Westwind Media in 2014 as SVP and general manager and in 2019, he became general manager at Periscope Post & Audio, where he oversaw the design, buildout, and construction of their new post facility, as well as administering day to day operations and administration….
First-Time Feature Directors Make Major Splash At AFI Fest, Generate Oscar Buzz
Two first-time feature directors who are generating Oscar buzz this awards season were front and center this past weekend at AFI Fest in Hollywood. Rachel Morrison, who made history as the first woman nominated for a Best Cinematography Oscar---on the strength of Mudbound in 2018--brought her feature directorial debut, The Fire Inside (Amazon MGM Studios), to the festival on Sunday (10/27), and shared insights into the film during a conversation session immediately following the screening. This came a day after William Goldenberg, an Oscar-winning editor for Argo in 2013, had his initial foray into feature directing, Unstoppable (Amazon MGM Studios), showcased at the AFI proceedings. He too spoke after the screening during a panel discussion. The Fire Inside--which made its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival--tells the story of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (portrayed by Ryan Destiny), a Black boxer from Flint, Mich., who trained to become the first woman in U.S. history to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the sport. She achieved this feat--with the help of coach Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry)--only to find that her victory at the Summer Games came with relatively little fanfare and no endorsement deals. So much for the hope that the historic accomplishment would be a ticket out of socioeconomic purgatory for Shields and her family. It seemed like yet another setback in a cycle of adversity throughout Shields’ life but she persevered, going on to win her second Gold Medal at the next Olympics and becoming a champion for gender equality and equitable pay for women in sports. Shields has served as a source of inspiration for woman athletes worldwide--as well as to the community of... Read More