Multidisciplinary production company Ruffian has brought director Dave Ma on board for U.S. representation. He had previously been handled in the American ad market by Superprime.
The son of a Chinese greyhound trainer and an Australian maternity nurse, Ma has always had an affinity for those who similarly possess a sense of not quite belonging. While pursuing a degree in psychology, Ma developed a fascination with exploring the human condition, something he quickly realized as synonymous with the pursuit of art and film. His passion for celebrating the ordinary and exploring why people do what they do is at the heart of his cinematic work.
After university, Ma spent countless nights chasing indie bands ‘round dank basement bars in London’s East End, armed with a camera and a desire to create films and images laced with magical realism. Establishing himself as part of the London music video scene in the late-2000s, his collaborations span artists such as Foals, Bastille, The Horrors, Flight Facilities, Jagwar Ma, and Forest Swords, a body of work that garnered multiple UKMVA nominations.
Now living in Los Angeles with his family, Ma has continued developing his craft in the world of advertising with campaigns for Nike, Honda, Vodafone, Nokia, and Converse. His work has been screened and recognized by LAFilmFest, Atlanta Film Festival, and the ARIAs.
“Dave has an incredible eye for detail, and an ability to draw out real emotion in very real scenarios that have a sense of heightened reality,” said Robert Herman, founder/EP at Ruffian. “His sense of character as expressed visually is cinematic and compelling. He sees the beauty in darkness and the darkness in beauty.”
Ma found himself drawn to Ruffian, relating, “Robert is building something fresh and exciting on the back of fearless intelligence and a wealth of experience.”
Ma is also represented by Finch in Australia and New Zealand.
Sinners and Saints Adds Apple Pie To Its Branded Menu
Bicoastal Sinners and Saints--the multidisciplinary studio overseen by managing director/executive producer Heather Heller, and partners/EPs Yann Henric and Thomas Carroll--has added Apple Pie Tabletop to its roster for branded content. Known for its food and beverage content creation, Apple Pie comprises the husband-and-wife team of director/DP Gene Dubin and director/art director Alisa Volodina. In addition to representation, the move expands Apple Pie’s production capabilities through the combination of its centrally located full-service studio in New York and a newly established mobile studio in Los Angeles. Apple Pie recently teamed with Sinners and Saints on a Wienerschnitzel project created by Innocean.
“We believe that our dual studio strategy positions us uniquely in the competitive landscape of food and beverage storytelling,” said Heller. “By blending the artistry of the New York studio with the flexibility of our Los Angeles location, we can tailor our productions to meet the unique demands of each project, regardless of geography.”
“Working with Sinners and Saints in the demanding field of tabletop was an absolute pleasure,” shared Apple Pie Tabletop in a joint statement. “Warm welcome, unwavering support and dedication--everything a director can ask for. The entire experience was both enjoyable and rewarding. We will not miss an opportunity to collaborate with them again.”
“The first thing you notice is that Apple Pie has beautiful work,” Heller observed. “Having worked with them, I can say that Gene and Alisa are extremely meticulous and detail-oriented; their combination of talent and agility appeals to agencies and clients.” Also appealing to Heller is Apple Pie Tabletop’s brisk international... Read More