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…
Directors Amy+Pilar and Jose Antonio Prat Join Reform School
Boutique content production company Reform has added comedy directing duo Amy+Pilar (Amy York Rubin and Pilar Boehm) and award-winning multicultural director Jose Antonio Prat to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded entertainment.
Partners in both life and art, Amy+Pilar are know for their sharp wit and comedic timing. Their synchronicity is evident in a body of work across TV, film and commercials. Prior to joining Reform School, Amy+Pilar had been repped in the ad market by production company Knucklehead.
Amy has directed high-profile comedy sketches featuring stars like Amy Schumer, Kate McKinnon, and Sarah Silverman. On the episodic front, Amy has helmed for series such as Fresh Off the Boat, Casual, Superstore and Angie Tribeca--as well as the pilot for the hit Netflix comedy Dead to Me.
Before joining forces with Amy behind the camera, Pilar was a psychotherapist, a background that informs her ability to create fascinating characters and stage irresistible, nuanced performances. Amy and Pilar’s shared passion for comedy brought them together. Their collaboration began with a Synchrony Bank campaign, starring cult-comedy favorite Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics), and they went on to direct the pilot of the Hulu series Love, Victor. Amy+Pilar’s ad fare also includes spots for Uber’s “Go-Get” campaign and “Shift,” starring Martin Starr.
“We have been fans of Amy and Pilar for a long time,” said Ryan Ennis, executive director at Reform School. “They excel at capturing comedic performances and dialogue. Coming from the TV and L.A. comedy scenes, they’ve built a strong following and collaborated with some of our favorite funny people.... Read More