Director Henry Lu has signed with bicoastal Moxie Pictures for exclusive representation in the U.S. Lu first established himself on the agency side of the business, most notably as a producer at Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, Ore….The Film Company, New York, has opened as a satellite of EUE Screen Gems. The new division is comprised of director David McNamara and executive producer Lora Nelson….Editor Peter Mostert has come aboard mad. house, New York….Protean Image Group/P.I.G., Venice, Calif., has signed Swedish director Filip Nilsson….Jean Lane has joined bicoastal Lost Planet as a producer. Lane, who will be based in the shop’s New York office, was formerly an assistant producer at Red Car, New York….San Antonio-based Cibolo Films has added director Charlie Watson to its roster for the U.S. Hispanic and Latin American markets….Bob Isherwood, New York-based worldwide creative director, Saatchi & Saatchi, has been named to chair the TV & Radio Jury for the 2004 Clio Awards. Also, Paul Rothwell, managing director of Gorgeous Enterprises, London, will chair Clio’s Technique Jury. Chairing the Internet Jury is Lars Bastholm, creative director, Framfab, Copenhagen. And heading the Content & Contact Jury is Nick Brien, president, corporate business development, Starcom MediaVest Group, Chicago….Budweiser’s "Reggae," out of DDB Chicago, and directed by LeMoine/ Miller—Steve and Rick, respectively—won best of show in the TV category at the first-ever Chicago Creative Club Awards, held on Thursday, Nov. 13 (LeMoine/Miller no longer co-direct; both are still with bicoastal/ international @radical.media)….Partners Joey Levine and Mary Wood of New York-based Crushing Music Enterprises are teaming with West Coast producers Steve Lindsey and Matt Kahane to launch Crushing Blueprint. The new company will have a stable of hip-hop composers, including Jurassic 5, Mike Elizondo, DJ Hi-Tek, T-Ray, Bud’da, DJ Revolution and Ming+ FS, available for spots. Additionally, Blueprint will work in conjunction with P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Entertainment, Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records, and Timbaland and the Camp, to bring their talent to the ad market…. Larry Chernoff and Joshua Touber, who both most recently served as execs at Santa Monica-headquartered Ascent Media Creative Services, have formed Los Angeles-based Chernoff Touber Associates. The team intends to use its expertise in technology, software, postproduction and facility design and management to advise entertainment studios, advertising agencies, broadcasters and commercial/promo edit houses. The new venture will also offer consulting for digital asset management, video and data convergence and facility management software requirements. Ad agency Rubin Postaer and Associates, Santa Monica, recently named Chernoff Touber Associates to design a state-of-the-art, in-house facility. Chernoff Touber is also involved in a three-month consultation for Ascent Media’s U.K. creative operations….
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