Director Buddy Cone, formerly of bicoastal/international Chelsea Pictures, has joined Fabrication Films, Hollywood….Following the demise of Large, London, director Jeff Stark, who was a partner in the company, has joined The Pink Film Company, London. Coming over with Stark at his new roost are his long-time producer, Cathy Green, and director Simon Green, both of whom were previously with Large….Czar.US, New York, has signed the directorial team Honest (partners Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion) for commercials….Avalanche Productions has added directors Theodora, Kate Magee and Sara Driver to its roster…. Director Brendan Donovan has signed with Prodigy Films for Australian and international representation. Prodigy has offices in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand…. The Sweet Shop, Auckland, has signed director Kezia Barnett, who has directed music videos and short films, and recently helmed her first spot….Sound designer Chris Smith has joined the West Coast operation of Amber Music, which also has bases of operation in New York and London. The company, which opened its Los Angeles office last year, will be moving to Santa Monica in January. Smith, who has worked on spots for clients such as Nintendo, adidas and Gatorade, was previously with Machine Head, Venice, Calif.…Composer/sound designer Joseph Spallina has joined New York-based tonefarmer….
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