Bicoastal Transmission@RSA has signed New York-based director Brent Harris. Formerly of bicoastal Go Film, Harris joins a directorial roster that also consists of Sean Mullens, Wayne Holloway and ACNE….Michael Crapser, best known for his long tenure as executive producer and head of the commercials division at Rhythm & Hues, Los Angeles, has joined Hollywood-based Motel Films as its executive producer. He had most recently been partner/executive producer at Santa Monica-based CGI/ visual effects house Moving Pixels. Motel’s directorial lineup includes company president Rick Dublin, Todd Korgan and Eric Young….Bicoastal Elias Arts has signed multimedia performance group Fischerspooner (Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner) for spotwork….Mia Films, Miami, has launched a new division to work on branded content. Mia Next will be headed by general manager Sisco Sanchez….Ivo van Riet has departed his position as executive producer of The Haus, New York, a company which he co-founded, and has joined Hyena Films, New York, as executive producer….Laurence J. Hyman has assumed ownership of San Francisco-based audio postproduction house Crescendo! Studios from Bob Shotland and Jack Leahy. Hyman, who comes from a background in still photography, journalism and filmmaking, will work closely with Crescendo’s longtime director of operations, Cindy McSherry. The shop’s ensemble of talent includes senior audio engineers Jay Shilliday, Craig Helmholz and Dave Baker….Millennium Pictures, Southfield, Mich., has launched an office in Toronto headed by executive producer Michael Cooper. The full roster of Millennium directors—Derek Case, Mark Walton, Jamie Way, Bill Scarlet, Charlie Watson and Jb Carlin—will be available via both offices….Thwak!, a New York music production company, has opened an office in Chicago with Cliff Kennedy as producer/creative director….Jeff Odiorne, chairman/executive creative director at Odiorne Wilde Narraway + Partners, San Francisco, has left the agency. Odiorne, who has helmed some spots with his brother, Peter Odiorne, an editor in the New York office of bicoastal Crew Cuts, is expected to pursue a new venture involving directing….
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