The directorial team of Cole & Roy, a.k.a. Joe Cole and Paul Roy—both former producers at McCann-Erickson, New York—has come aboard RAW/Progressive Films, Los Angeles, for exclusive spot representation….Pictures In A Row, Los Angeles, has added directors Olly Blackburn and Marshall Vernet…. Director Tony Garcia, a.k.a. Tony G., formerly with the Latino American division of now defunct Palomar Pictures, has joined Hollywood-based Motel Films for exclusive spot representation in the United States and Canada…..Director Robert Bonomo of Landia Republica, Buenos Aires, has signed with Letca Films, Miami, for U.S. representation….Director/DP Josh Josimovic and helmer Michael Fueter have signed with Neue Sentimental, Frankfurt, for spot representation….Animation director Aaron Stewart has signed with bicoastal Hornet for exclusive representation….Editor Drew Thompson, well established in the Australian ad market, has signed with Rex Edit, Venice, Calif., for exclusive representation in the U.S….Editor Peter Tarter has joined the recently formed Lux Editorial, which maintains bases of operation in Santa Monica and San Francisco…. Roland House, an Arlington, Va.-based digital post facility, is up for sale with proposal bids due Nov. 10. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August….Producer Katie Ward has joined Santa Monica-based music production/sound design house Primal Scream. She previously served as an associate producer at Rhythm Café, Chicago….Ross Woods has been brought on board as producer for Somersault, the design/visual effects shop in Chicago and Santa Monica. Based in Chicago, Woods was formerly a producer at Digital Kitchen, Chicago….
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