Blink your eyes and before you know it the holiday season will be upon us. But we can’t lose sight of what this time of year means and how we should and need to respond accordingly. There are myriad ways to be true to the spirit of the season by helping others–both those we know as well as people we have never met.
So in the midst of crafting shopping lists for our family and friends, it behooves us to remember that so many are in need of the basic necessities such as food and clothing.
With that in mind, we pass on a reminder from the Association of Independent Commercial Producers’ (AICP) West board about the second annual #AICPgives, a Food & Goods Drive to benefit local non-profit organization Gobble Gobble Give (http://gobblegobblegive.org) which has served thousands of needy families and individuals over the last 14 years.
Last year, with the AICP’s help, Gobble, Gobble Give provided care packages and meals to over 3,000 people in Los Angeles.
AICP member companies and all industry partners and affiliates are encouraged to collect donations during November in anticipation of Gobble Gobble Give’s Thanksgiving Day distribution.
Quixote is coordinating pick-up and delivery of donation boxes to participating member companies.
Members may also drop-off donations at any Quixote location. See complete details here: http://www.quixote.com/AICPGives/
Items may include: canned goods, boxed food (that can be consumed without cooking), new or used clothing items in good condition (socks, sweaters, beanies and more). Collecting unopened bars of soap and shampoo bottles, toothbrush and toothpaste kits, is a great way to distribute all of those hotel amenities picked up on shoots.
#AICPgives is a great opportunity for the AICP West chapter members and friends to give back to their community. With #AICPgives the industry can mobilize its numbers and the generosity of staff and crews to give to many of those who could use a little help this Thanksgiving holiday.
Help spread the word: Invite people to participate through the following Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/553968994619760/
Directing and Editing “Conclave”; Insights From Edward Berger and Nick Emerson
It’s been a bruising election year but this time we’re referring to a ballot box struggle that’s more adult than the one you’d typically first think of in 2024. Rather, on the industry awards front, the election being cited is that of the Pope which takes front and center stage in director Edward Berger’s Conclave (Focus Features), based on the 2016 novel of the same title by Robert Harris. Adapted by screenwriter Peter Straugham, Conclave stars Ralph Fiennes as the cardinal leading the conclave that has convened to select the next Pope. While part political thriller, full of backstabbing and behind-closed-door machinations, Conclave also registers as a thoughtful adult drama dealing with themes such as a crisis of faith, weighing the greater good, and engaging in a struggle that’s as much about spirituality as the attainment of power.
Conclave is Berger’s first feature after his heralded All Quiet on the Western Front, winner of four Oscars in 2023, including for Best International Feature Film. And while Conclave would on the surface seem to be quite a departure from that World War I drama, there’s a shared bond of humanity which courses through both films.
For Berger, the heightened awareness of humanity hit home for him by virtue of where he was--in Rome, primarily at the famed Cinecittà studio--to shoot Conclave, sans any involvement from the Vatican. He recalled waking up in Rome to “soak up” the city. While having his morning espresso, Berger recollected looking out a window and seeing a priest walking about with a cigarette in his mouth, a nun having a cup of coffee, an archbishop carrying a briefcase. It dawned on Berger that these were just people going to... Read More