Executive producer Gabrielle Yuro and director Chuck Bennett have teamed to launch Big Lawn Films, a company slated to move into permanent Santa Monica digs next month. Yuro’s résumé includes having served as exec producer at bicoastal Reactor Films. Bennett comes over from Crossroads, bicoastal and Chicago. Director Jamie Vickers has also joined Big Lawn, which becomes his first formal spot roost….Seattle has passed legislation that reduces the city’s film permit fees from more than $300 daily to a flat rate of $25 per day. The legislation additionally streamlines the permit process and provides limited police assistance for shoots…. Director Paul Fuentes has joined The Production Farm, New York, for exclusive representation….Director Marcos Siega has finished principal photography on Miramax Films’ Underclassman. He’s again available for commercials and music videos through bicoastal/international Hungry Man….Audio mixer/sound designer Carl Mandelbaum, who spent the past four years with The Anx, New York, has joined New York-based audioEngine….Deep Blue Sea, Miami, has added Carlos Rondon as executive producer…. Editor Alexis Chavez, formerly of Jigsaw, Santa Monica, has come aboard King Cut, Venice, Calif….The BBC, London, intends to sell its wholly-owned commercial subsidiary BBC Technology, which includes such technologies as the Colledia for Production asset management system….Effective Jan. 5, Kate Sturgess joins London digital post facility VTR in the newly created senior management role of facility director. Sturgess’ experience spans post shops and ad agencies, the latter including her serving as a producer at Fallon, London….If you are a member of the commercial production community who has a film that will be screened during the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and would like the project to be considered for coverage in SHOOT’s Sundance roundup, send a screener to senior reporter Christine Champagne c/o SHOOT, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. You can also e-mail info to cchampagne@shootonline.com….
Breakout Films and Major Takeaways From This Year’s Sundance Fest
Film wasn't the only thing on people's minds at this year's Sundance Film Festival, which comes to a close Sunday in Park City, Utah ( and online ).
The effects of the wildfires in Southern California loomed large, as did the bittersweet knowledge that this year will be the second to last Sundance based in Park City. Some films offered an escape from reality; others were a pointed reminder of the domestic and international political landscape, from transgender rights to the war in Ukraine.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the 41st edition of the festival.
The effects of the Southern California fires were deeply felt
The wildfires were still burning in parts of Los Angeles when Sundance began last week and reminders of its devastation were everywhere, even on screen. Max Walker-Silverman's "Rebuilding," starring Josh O'Connor as a cowboy who loses his ranch in a wildfire and forms a community with fellow survivors in a FEMA camp, hit close to home for many.
Filmmakers Meena Menon and Paul Gleason lost their home in Altadena where they filmed some of their zombie apocalypse movie "Didn't Die." Sundance artist labs head Michelle Satter lost her Palisades home as well. Satter had an audience of Sundance Institute donors in tears early in the festival while accepting an honor at a fundraising gala.
"It's a deeply devastating time for us and so many others, a moment that calls for all of us coming together to support our bigger community," Satter said. "As a friend recently noted, and I have to listen to this, 'Take a deep breath ... We lost our village, but at the end of the day we are the village.'"
The festival's move to another city dominated conversations
It was a topic... Read More