DAVID O. RUSSELL GOES RETRO ’70s FOR DRAFTFCBFeature filmmaker David O. Russell (The Fighter) continues his successful diversification into the ad arena via production house Wondros, most recently wrapping a three-spot package for KFC consisting of “Launch,” “The New Big” and “Drive Thru” for Draftfcb, Chicago.
For “Drive Thru,” Russell delivers the epitome of 1970s cool. The :30 features a pair of dudes gliding through the KFC drive-thru in a 1970s’ red Dodge Charger to order their new retro menu item, the Chicken Pot Pie. Cranking on the car radio is a track from the era. Upon getting their order, one of the gents simply affirms, “Classic.”
Gina Zapata executive produced for Wondros with Helga Gruber serving as producer. The DP was Oscar-winning cinematographer Mauro Fiore (Avatar).
LYNCH, PAVESIC, MALLOY LAUNCH FARM LEAGUE
Exec producers Tim Lynch and Tieneke Pavesic have teamed with director Chris Malloy to form Farm League, a production and content company based in Southern California and Oregon. The founding trio is known for its surf and adventure films, as well as branding projects.
In addition to Malloy, Farm League’s roster includes director/editor Tim Wheeler and director Corey Adams who’s behind Native Shoes’ outlandish campaigns. Directors Danny Moder, Alex Kopps, Jason Baffa and Keith Malloy are available for special projects.
Since opening its doors, Farm League has worked with Nike, Ford, Bear Naked Granola, Barefoot Wine, Patagonia and Native Shoes. The shop is currently in production on projects for Acura and Strava.
Director Chris Malloy is the eldest of the Ventura Malloy Brothers (Chris, Keith, Dan) and cousin to the HSI directing team The Malloys. Chris Malloy is relatively new on the spot scene but has been influencing the film, surf and environmental industries for more than a decade. He is one of the founders of Woodshed Films, which turned out Shelter, Thicker than Water, A Brokedown Melody and 180º SOUTH, ushering in a new movement in surf films. Malloy has created branded pieces for Patagonia, Nixon and Ford, among many other collaborative projects.
Lynch is also a Woodshed co-founder. Beyond the surf and adventure films, his producing credits include documentaries and videos for bands like Green Day, The White Stripes and Mumford and Sons. Lynch has also produced commercials for such brands as Converse, Volkswagen, Kashi, New Balance, Nike, PlayStation and Audi.
As a TV producer, Pavesic cut her teeth at Wieden+Kennedy (Portland, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Shanghai), creating work for brands like Nike, Miller High Life, Sapporo and Fox NFL. She went on to freelance for agencies such as Cutwater, TBWAChiatDay and CAA, producing for Jeep, Ford, Powerade, Siemens, ESPN and Coca-Cola, to name a few.
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Director Alejandro Toledo has joined Harpoon Pictures–the NY-based production house headed by exec producer Chester Mayer–for exclusive U.S. spot representation. Experienced in shooting worldwide and fluent in English, Spanish and French, Toledo has directed for such clients as Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, BMW, Lexus, Stella Artois and Nike. This past summer he helmed a project for Sabra out of StrawberryFrog, NY….NY-based brand engagement firm Sullivan has hired Bill Westcott as managing director of strategy, a newly created position at the shop. He will be responsible for providing leadership across all aspects of client engagement, including brand and channel strategy, for JPMorgan Chase, Allstate, DuPont and PepsiCo, among others. Westcott joins Sullivan from CoreBrand Communications, where he was managing director, strategy….
