The AICP’s study of a dozen major ad agency production contracts will be distributed to member companies over the next couple of weeks. The national AICP board got its first look at the full report during its meeting last Sunday (6/10) in New York, and unanimously approved continuing the research to encompass other agency contracts. Stay tuned….Director Allen Coulter—of Sex and the City and The Sopranos fame—has officially joined bicoastal/international hungry man, through which he is slated to helm four more Budweiser "Whassup" spots this month…. Director/cinematographer Lionel Coleman has come aboard Pandemonium, the San Francisco-based production house headed by founder/president Stelio Kitrilakis….Pfeifer Van Dusen, New York, has signed director Jacob Williams….Executive producer Fred Porter has launched Tombo, a Hollywood-based company which will develop and produce both longform and spot projects. The new venture opens with a directorial roster that includes J. Brown, Matt Murphy, Carlo Sigon and Kimble Rendall. Company president Porter heads a management team that consists of head of production Robert Nackman; Su Armstrong, who heads Tombo’s feature division; animation producer Brian Rosen; and music supervisor Alex Patsavas….Jason Mayo has been named executive producer of creative design, animation and production studio Click 3X, New York. He comes over from arc light editorial, New York, where he was exec. producer….Executive producer Chuck Carey and creative directors Mark Bohman and Dan Pappalardo—who first collaborated at now defunct entertainment marketing/design house Pittard Sullivan—have launched their own Hollywood-based ID/motion design/ graphics/live-action shop, Troika Design Group….Noted director and ad agency creative Tony Cruz passed away on June 2 in Los Angeles due to respiratory complications. He was 44. For the past several years, Cruz had been directing spots through West Hollywood-headquartered Dark Light Pictures. Prior to that, he was a founding partner and chief creative officer of Los Angeles-based Hispanic ad agency cruz/kravetz: IDEAS. Cruz earlier served as VP/creative director of the Hispanic division at J. Walter Thompson, Los Angeles…
Director Lu Villaca Joins MADRE
Production company MADRE has added Brazilian director Lu Villaça to its talent roster. With degrees in cinema and performance and a master’s in screenwriting, Villaça brings a multifaceted approach to filmmaking. Villaça’s tastes have been shaped by her childhood training in ballet, studying Greek theatre texts, her passion for music, and her contemplative nature. She honed her cinematic skills early on as an AD and creative assistant before becoming a director. Intent on capturing the drama of everyday life as it plays out, Villaça is tuned in to how the bodies in her frame move through their environments and what elements of the story can be extrapolated from these compositions. Her sharp attention to detail in every aspect, from lighting to the final edit, is designed to connect emotionally with her audience. Villaça has been awarded three Cannes Lions for her film “Next Minute Law,” which promoted awareness of a law in Brazil designed to address the rampant epidemic of sexual violence. “Next Minute Law” also garnered Best Direction at El Ojo and the Ciclope Latino Festival, where Villaça also won Best New Talent. Additionally, she has directed assorted commercial campaigns for brands like Johnnie Walker, Huggies Wipes, Nestlé, Amazon, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, and a spot for Medley featuring Brazilian Olympic gymnast Rebeca Andrade. Prior to joining MADRE, Villaca had been repped by production house LOBO. Recognized in Brazil as a top music video director, Villaca won Best Female Direction for her work on “Nu” by Assucena and “Lovezinho” by Rachel Reis, which also won Best National Music Video at the MVF Awards. Villaça additionally co-directed the documentary Pagliacci, an homage to circus artist Domingos Montagner... Read More