Stept, a creatively integrated production company with offices in Los Angeles and Jackson Hole (Wyoming), has added Michael Parenteau and Leigh Powis to its directorial roster for exclusive commercial representation in the U.S.
Parenteau is a director, producer, DP and editor of films, commercials, and music videos. His films include Free Diving With Perrin James, Ride Of the Dead, and The Search For Freedom. The latter won numerous awards including Newport Beach Film Festival’s Outstanding Achievement Award, Maui Film Festival’s Audience Award, and the London Surf Film Festival’s Best Cinematography award. Parenteau’s creative innovations span far beyond the screen and include immersive storytelling, aerial, and underwater filming. Clients include NBA, Ford, Mercedes, The North Face, and Audi.
Raised in the U.K. and now living in Whistler BC, Powis has become a fixture in the Vancouver film community. With experience as a director, editor, colorist and sound designer, Powis becomes fully immersed in the postproduction process of his projects. His early works followed professional athletes through the mountains of British Columbia, but he quickly found his true calling as he transitioned into artful narrative films and abstract commercials. Powis’ passion for disruptive storytelling and his experience directing scripted films has elevated his commercial work and branded content. Recent projects include “Free Bird” for The North Face as well as Oakley’s “Optical” featuring Daniel Norris.
Originally producers of alpine films, Stept quickly found success in the branded documentary space, directing and finishing short films for top outdoor and athletic clients including The North Face, Under Armour, and Oakley. Stept’s work for these clients also solidified the studio’s reputation in the commercial world, where its endeavors for brands and agencies alike includes broadcast commercials, short films, and digital and branded content. Their work has garnered awards at Tribeca and BANFF as well as recent honors including Vimeo Staff Picks for WC Jameson, The Litas, and Adventure Not War.
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