RSA Films has brought L.A.-based comedy directing duo Peter Martin, aka Peter Livolsi and Martin Dix, aboard its roster for commercials. Peter Martin are behind Little Caesars most recent crowd pleaser, “Lucky Chair” via McKinney, which features NFL superfan Darryl, the 49ers George Kittle and Darryl’s clingy lucky chair. Peter Martin have also brought their sensibility for observational comedy to funny campaigns for Fanta, Ubisoft, FedEx, Cheetos, BBC, Xfinity and many other brands.
“I got my start producing for Peter Martin so linking back up is incredibly meaningful for me,” said Luke Ricci, president, RSA Films US. “Over the years, I’ve watched their reel evolve with a tremendous amount of admiration and respect for their film craft and comedic chops. One of our current objectives at RSA is to build a stronger foothold in the U.S. comedy landscape and Peter Martin is an important part of that effort. I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with Peter Martin and see a fruitful (and fun) future ahead of us.”
“Our history with Luke Ricci is built on trust and friendship,” read a joint statement from Peter Martin. “Luke was a young and hungry producer at AFI who helped us build our spec reel and we gave him his first producing job! His relentless drive and positivity haven’t changed since we first worked together. We’re thrilled to be at RSA and our goal now is to make Ridley Scott laugh at one of our spots.”
Peter Martin bring their award-winning pedigree in entertainment and advertising to their current partnership. Livolsi is a Sundance Lab and AFI alum and director of award-winning shorts such as Duncan Removed and the feature film The House of Tomorrow (Asa Butterfield, Ellen Burstyn, Nick Offerman) which nabbed honors across the film festival circuit. Dix is an award-winning writer and creative director at agencies including Deutsch and TBWA/Chiat/Day. Livolsi and Dix as Peter Martin are alums of SHOOT’s 2006 New Directors Showcase. Prior to joining RSA, the duo had most recently been with The Corner Shop.
“Whether it’s a Key and Peele sketch, Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell at an awards show, or a Coen Brothers classic, our favorite comic voices often come in pairs,” said Peter Martin. “Which makes sense to us, because being a team lets us be each other’s audience. We don’t always agree on what’s going to kill, but because we both keep an open mind as we chase a laugh, those debates about gags, shots or casting almost always result in the funniest version of an idea.”
Director Dag Johan Haugerud’s “Dreams (Sex Love)” Wins Top Prize At The Berlin Film Festival
A Norwegian film about love, desire and self-discovery won top honors at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on Saturday.
A jury headed by American director Todd Haynes awarded the Golden Bear trophy to "Dreams (Sex Love)" by director Dag Johan Haugerud.
Haynes called it a "meditation on love" that "cuts you to the quick with its keen intelligence."
The film focuses on a teenager played by Ella Øverbyer, infatuated with her female French teacher, and the reactions of her mother and grandmother when they discover her private writings. It's the third part of a trilogy Haugerud has completed in the past year. "Sex" premiered at Berlin in 2024, and "Love" was screened at the 2024 Venice Film Festival.
The runner-up Silver Bear prize went to Brazilian director Gabriel Mascaro's dystopian drama "The Blue Trail." Argentine director Ivan Fund's rural saga "The Message" won the third-place Jury Prize.
The best director prize went to Huo Meng for "Living the Land," set in fast-changing 1990s China.
Rose Byrne was named best performer for her role as an overwhelmed mother in the Mary Bronstein-directed "If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You." Andrew Scott won the supporting performer trophy for playing composer Richard Rodgers in Richard Linklater's "Blue Moon."
The climax of the festival known as the Berlinale came on the eve of Germany's parliamentary elections after a campaign dominated by migration and the economy.
The national election is being held seven months early, after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's governing coalition collapsed in a dispute about how to revitalize the country's economy.
Efforts to curb migration have emerged as a central issue in the campaign — along with the question of how to handle the... Read More