Millie Munro, of independent representation company Munro & Co, and Bryan Shrednick, formerly of Shortlist Management, have joined forces on bueno, a talent management company. Originally started by Shrednick in 2015 after a wandering sabbatical of several months, bueno now launches hand-in-hand with the Munro & Co. client roster to create a tailored offering of companies and artists in production, postproduction, and digital, ranging from Stink USA and Human to new wave integrated outfits such as m ss ng p eces, Bullitt Branded and Alldayeveryday. From 2010–2014, Munro was executive producer at music and sound design studio Human, where she opened the company’s London office before relocating to Los Angeles three years ago. Simultaneously, she worked alongside indie rep Brent Novick, representing his roster of talent before venturing on her own to begin Munro & Co in 2014. Munro previously launched Moxie Pictures London in 2005, where she remained as head of sales, representing and growing the company’s roster of directors for over five years. As for Shrednick, prior to shortlist, he served as director of business development at design and digital production studio Royale, leading its sales and marketing efforts across the U.S. and Europe….Cinematographer Tuomo Virtanen, active in commercials and music videos, has joined Dattner Dispoto and Associates for representation. Also coming aboard the Dattner Dispoto roster is costume designer Kathleen Detoro whose credits include Breaking Bad (AMC; High Bridge Productions). Dattner Dispoto has also booked films for several of its DPs, including Bojan Bazelli, ASC, who’s set to lens the Gore Verbinski-directed Cure For Wellness, Rachel Morrison for director Rick Famuyiwa’s Confirmation, Giles Nuttgens for director David Mackenzie’s Comancheria, and Jason McCormick for director Si & Ad’s Shovel Buddies. Also landing Shovel Buddies’ gigs are a couple of other Dattner Dispoto artisans–production designer Ariana Nakata, and costume designer Kameron Lennox….
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More