Santa Monica-based Area 51 Films has named staff executive producers Preston Lee and Phyllis Koenig to serve as its co-management team. They succeed managing director Mark Thomas, who is exiting the company. Lee joined Area 51 a year ago while Koenig came aboard in early 2003 with director Craig Henderson….London agency Mother is opening a Gotham office….Visual effects/CGI studio Quiet Man, New York, has promoted producer Dave Moore to head of production, a newly created position at the company. Also, Inferno artist Peter Amante has been upped to head of Quiet Man’s compositing department. The promotions free company co-owner/compositor Johnnie Semerad to spend more time on the Inferno, working hands-on in the visual effects arena….The Blue Rock Editing Company, New York, has added editor Eric Bruggemann. He had been with Final Cut, New York….FilmCore, Santa Monica, has promoted Tiffany Burchard to editor. She had been an assistant to editor Paul Norling for the past five years, and has worked as an editor for the last four years at Green, Santa Monica, FilmCore’s boutique for young talent. FilmCore and Green also maintain San Francisco offices….Sydney-headquartered animation/visual effects house Animal Logic has named executive producer Maury Strong to head its Venice, Calif. office. She replaces Brad Steinwede who is leaving the company to pursue other interests in the ad industry. Prior to Animal Logic, Steinwede served as head of production at J. Walter Thompson, Sydney…Boston-based post house Pisces has launched a design unit, headed by recently hired creative director Chris Goveia, formerly of since-closed Hatmaker. Pisces will be building a roster of designers. Additionally, Smoke artist Chris Palazini has returned to Pisces following a stint at Universal Studios, Orlando, Fla….Santa Monica-based Moneyshots, a visual effects design facility best known for its work in music videos, has formed a commercial division. The shop has kicked off its spot operation with a pair of :30s for Reebok/Footlocker, directed by Benny Boom of bicoastal HSI Productions for The Arnell Group, New York; and a California Lottery ad helmed by Brian Aldrich of bicoastal Coppos Films for Grey, Los Angeles…Reelworks Animation Studio, Minneapolis, has added veteran animation/effects director Mark Mariutto and designer/animator Todd Hemker to its roster….
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