Word is New York-based production company Lovinger Mahoney Adelson (LMA) has ceased operations. According to a former insider, the company closed its doors as of Sept. 1. SHOOT called LMA for confirmation, but at press time the office number at LMA was not in service. Reportedly, director/cameraman Charlie Cole, who had signed with LMA in 2000, has been shopping around for a new representation deal in recent weeks….Wild Brain has added designer/director Nick Hewitt to its roster….Documentary filmmakers Earle Sebastian and Marc Singer have signed with Nonfiction Spots, Santa Monica, for commercials….Mono-monikered director Selby has signed with Hyena Films, New York…. Director/DP Karen Schuld and director Maria Ripoll have joined the roster of Taxi Films, New York….Chuck Kinsinger, formerly of Bates West, Irvine, Calif., has joined Ant Music, New York, as executive producer….Dave Dakich has come aboard Genuine Music, Chicago, as executive producer. He had been with Steve Ford Music, Chicago….Editor Mitch Schreiber, formerly of Steel Rose, New York, has joined New York-based Refinery….Editor Steve MacCorkle has come aboard Avenue Edit, Santa Monica….TeamHeavy, New York, has added Michael Darmanin as creative director….Composer/sound designer/mixer Scott Persson, formerly of Headroom Digital Audio, New York, has joined Burst@Creative Bubble, the audio post/sound design division of postproduction/visual effects house Creative Bubble, New York…. Michel Suissa has joined bicoastal post/visual effects shop Sideshow as creative director….Helena Lee, formerly a producer at Inside/Out, Santa Monica, has joined King Cut Editorial, Venice, Calif., as executive producer….Senior colorist Matt Turner has joined Framestore CFC Commercials, London, after serving the past eight years at The Mill, London….
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