By Christine Champagne
SANTA MONICA—Director Sam Jones has signed with bicoastal Tool of North America for exclusive spot representation in the U.S. Additionally, Jones will garner representation in Canada via Tool’s relationship with Imported Artists Film Company, Toronto, as well as in France through Tool’s association with Paris-based Entropie. Prior to inking a deal with Tool, Jones was represented by Blink USA, the Venice, Calif.-based offshoot of Blink, London.
Jones, who joined Blink USA when the company opened last spring, is the second talent to depart the Blink USA roster in recent weeks. As previously reported (SHOOT, 10/29, p. 7), directing duo Blue Source, which is made up of Rob Leggatt and Leigh Marling, left Blink USA to sign with Bob Industries, Santa Monica. (Blink will continue to represent Blue Source for spotwork in the U.K. and Europe, with the exception of France, where Hamster, Paris, handles them.)
Word is that Blink USA is currently negotiating a possible merger or association with an established U.S. house, but that could not be confirmed at press time. Blink managing director James Studholme could not be reached for comment as SHOOT went to press.
As for his move, Jones said he deemed Tool the right fit after meeting with at least a dozen production companies. "I just really connected with Tool—just the people plain and simple," Jones said, citing company principal/director Erich Joiner and managing director Phillip Detchmendy, among others. "They seemed like people who understand where I’m trying to go."
Aside from seeking like-minded people, Jones was also aiming to find a solid company. "I think that Tool has the stability and longevity that—after [stints at] two smaller companies—I realize I desire," Jones remarked. "Plus, the [company is made up of] a group of really smart filmmakers who have the financial resources they need to be able to do good work."
DISCOVERING SAM
Jones built a name for himself as a still photographer prior to launching a career as a director with now defunct Fusion Films serving as his first commercial roost. During his three-year stint with Fusion, Jones became known as a storyteller, directing spots for clients including Commonwealth Edison, Borges and Safeco. He also directed the critically acclaimed 2002 documentary I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, which chronicled the tumultuous making of rock band Wilco’s album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
When Fusion Films shut down last spring, Jones signed with Blink USA. Among the projects he helmed during his stint with the production company was a Discover Card campaign for Goodby, Silverstein & Partners (GS&P), San Francisco, which will break early next year.
In the coming weeks, Jones will direct another round of Discover Card spots for GS&P through Tool. He also has a film project in development at a major Hollywood studio.
"His work is that of a visual storyteller," Detchmendy said of Jones, noting, "There is so much history of photographers coming into our business and getting into commercials, and I think the easy sell would be, ‘Okay, let’s do the real people casting and the documentary-style [projects].’ I want to resist what I think would be the easy sell for him and look for opportunities where he can put his [storytelling ability], his style and his eye to work."
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More