Feature filmmaker Steven Shainberg–whose credits include the Sundance Special Jury Prize-winning Secretary starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader-has secured spot representation in North America, signing with Saville Productions, the Beverly Hills-based house headed by executive producer Rupert Maconick. Shainberg is no stranger to commercials, having helmed spots for such clients as Chanel, the Florida Lottery and Miller beer. Shainberg's latest movie, Fur, is based on the life of noted photographer Diane Arbus who committed suicide in 1971. The film, which stars Nicole Kidman and Robert Downey Jr., is slated for release in November…..Hamish Rothwell, a comedy director from Australia, has joined Santa Monica-based TWC for U.S. spot representation….Nick Law has been promoted to chief creative officer, North America, for agency R/GA, New York. He assumes a position formerly held by chairman/CEO Bob Greenberg who retains his creative duties as chief creative officer…..Director Johanna Andersson has joined production company FilmTecknarna, Stockholm, for exclusive representation in commercials. Her first assignment at the shop was Minute Maid's “Orange Sky” for Doner, Southfield, Mich. She is currently wrapping a second Minute Maid spot, “Fruit City”….Knucklehead, London, has secured the directing duo of Zak and Dan, formerly of Stink, London, for worldwide representation in commercials…..Two-time Oscar winning director Barbara Kopple has wrapped her documentary feature Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing and is again available for commercials via bicoastal Nonfiction Spots……
Oscar Nominees Delve Into The Art Of Editing At ACE Session
You couldn’t miss Sean Baker at this past Sunday’s Oscar ceremony where he won for Best Picture, Directing, Original Screenplay and Editing on the strength of Anora. However, earlier that weekend he was in transit from the Cesar Awards in Paris and thus couldn’t attend the American Cinema Editors (ACE) 25th annual panel of Academy Award-nominated film editors held at the Regal LA Live Auditorium on Saturday (3/1) in Los Angeles. While the eventual Oscar winner in the editing category was missed by those who turned out for the ACE “Invisible Art, Visible Artists” session, three of Baker’s fellow nominees were on hand--Dávid Jancsó, HSE for The Brutalist; Nick Emerson for Conclave; and Myron Kerstein, ACE for Wicked. Additionally, Juliette Welfling, who couldn’t appear in person due to the Cesar Awards, was present via an earlier recorded video interview to discuss her work on Emilia Pérez. The interview was conducted by ACE president and editor Sabrina Plisco, ACE who also moderated the live panel discussion. Kerstein said that he was the beneficiary of brilliant and generous collaborators, citing, among others, director Jon M. Chu, cinematographer Alice Brooks, and visual effects supervisor Pablo Helman. The editor added it always helps to have stellar acting performances, noting that hearing Cynthia Erivo, for example, sing live was a revelation. Kerstein recalled meeting Chu some eight years ago on a “blind Skype date” and it was an instant “bromance”--which began on Crazy Rich Asians, and then continued on such projects as the streaming series Home Before Dark and the feature In The Heights. Kerstein observed that Chu is expert in providing collaborators with... Read More