Global content studio Pulse Films’ U.S. expansion continues with the appointment of Lisa Sabatino Lange of Ready Set (West Coast) and Gisela Limberg of Hunky Dory (East Coast) to represent its directors in the commercials and branded entertainment space. Sabatino Lange formed Ready Set after 12 years as a dedicated in-house rep. Ten of those years were spent with Anonymous Content. Originally from The Netherlands and based in New York City, Limberg has over 15 years of experience working with some of advertising and film’s most exceptional talent, as well as spotting promising filmmakers and matching that talent to projects from agencies and brands. In 2014 she founded Hunky Dory. Before striking out on her own, she was the head of sales at Smuggler for more than 8 years. Prior to Smuggler, she was VP of sales at Anonymous Content (working with Sabatino Lange). Sabatino Lange and Limberg join a U.S. sales force which also includes rep Doug Stephens in the Midwest. Pulse’s roster of directors includes such award winning talent as Kahlil Joseph, Michael Haussman, thirtytwo, D.A.R.Y.L. and Sam Pilling. 2016 saw Pulse produce Beyoncé’s ground-breaking Emmy and Grammy nominated Lemonade film while on the feature front, American Honey helmed by Andrea Arnold was awarded the coveted Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and was BAFTA nominated. The studio also produced the double Sundance winners The Witch, All These Sleepless Nights and TROPHY which received plaudits following its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival 2017. The studio also had a successful year in television with significant commissions from leading broadcasters, including a major upcoming 10-episode series charting the history of Rock & Roll for Sky, as well as Black is the New Black (BBC Two), United States of Hate (BBC One/BBC Three), Who’s Spending Britain’s Billions? (BBC Two) and Hunting the Nazi Gold Train (BBC Three)….
B-Reel Films (BRF) has signed Ezra Burke and Shane Harris of Content Chemics to handle commercial representation on the West Coast. This comes on the heels of the addition of EP Jason Botkin, and the signing of directors Ivan Grbovic, Daniel Benmayor and Tom Haines….
Production company Derby, headed by EP Mary Crosse, has secured Robin Stevens of Robin Stevens Reps to handle Midwest sales. The Chicago-based Stevens has already booked two jobs for Derby in the Midwest. Stevens has spent over 20 years on both the agency and production side representing world class photographers, directors, production companies and visual effects artists. Derby’s directorial roster includes Josh Hayward, The Bozzwicks, Lucas Borras, Nickolas Duarte, Catherine Orchard and John Poliquin….
West Coast talent management firm Melissa Ross Represents (MRR) has added artists and photographers in its representation clientele. A new division, MRR Studio will be housed in a 2,000 square foot gallery space located in Santa Monica, Calif. It will showcase both established and emerging artists in both solo and group exhibitions. Melissa Ross has been representing creative talent for the past 13 years. Her current roster includes Superprime, Partizan, Greenpoint Pictures, Cosmo Street Editorial, Brand New School and Eight VFX. Prior to opening MRR, Ross was the founder and owner of the The Jaxon House Gallery in Venice, Calif. During that time she curated exhibitions for actors Dennis Hopper, Viggo Mortensen, and globally collected artist Sage Vaughn, among others. Recently, she co-hosted 100 Pieces- a charity event that brings creative makers in the advertising community together for a one night silent auction of their personal artwork. Being involved in 100 Pieces introduced Ross to the hidden creative talents of her clients and colleagues. There are many talented painters, photographers, and sculptors in the advertising industry who have dreams of being artists, yet have never displayed their work. MRR Studio plans to become the platform for these unrealized artists. Ross was inspired to open MRR Studio after meeting Chuck Blackwell and seeing his work. Blackwell donated paintings to the 100 Pieces event in 2015. His work was widely popular with the crowd, and serious bidding wars occurred at both the 2015 and 2016 events. Final sale prices far exceeded the estimated values. Blackwell, a creative director at RPA, has been painting almost his entire life. MRR Studio will officially open its doors on Thursday, March 23, with a solo exhibition of the Blackwell’s work….
