Director Jon Favreau has signed with Pacific Rim Films, Santa Monica, for exclusive worldwide spot representation. His directing credits include the feature film Elf, and he is currently helming Zathura, a children’s adventure movie starring Tim Robbins. Favreau is well known as an actor with roles in such films as Something’s Gotta Give, Love and Sex, and Marciano…. Composer Derek Menzies has joined Bang Music, New York….STS Editorial, a mainstay house in Southfield, Mich., has extended its reach to the West Coast, opening an office in Santa Monica. Hired as the Santa Monica shop’s resident editor is Cary Gries, formerly of Red Car, which has bases of operation in New York, Chicago, Santa Monica, San Francisco, Dallas, San Antonio and Buenos Aires….Oliver D. Welch III has been named chief operating and strategic officer for ComputerCafe Group, the parent to CafeFX, Santa Maria and Santa Monica, Calif., and to The Syndicate, Santa Monica….Norma Orci has retired from her post as chief creative officer of La Agencia de Orci & Asociados, Los Angeles. She will continue to serve as co-chair of the Hispanic ad agency with her husband, CEO Hector Orci….
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