Michael Cuesta has rejoined bicoastal The Artists Company after a stint with bicoastal/international Hungry Man…. Director Ken Fox, formerly of bicoastal Villains, has joined Oil Factory Films, Beverly Hills, Calif….Moo Spots, a division of Moo Studios, Burbank, Calif., has signed director Ellen Von Unwerth, formerly of Oil Factory Films, for exclusive U.S. commercial representation….Mono-monikered director Chanel has joined Mia Films, Miami Beach, for U.S. representation. She had been a creative director at Del Campo Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi, Buenos Aires….Area 51 Films, Santa Monica, has added director Simon Stock for exclusive spot representation. A noted still photographer, Stock has made his commercialmaking debut with Area 51: Jaguar’s "Anchor" for Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R, London. The spot complements a print campaign shot by Stock….Editor Eric Pomert has come aboard mad.house, New York. He was formerly with MacKenzie Cutler, New York….Executive producer Sandy Vogel, best known for working with director Stu Hagmann at EUE Screen/Gems, New York, and then at now defunct HISK, has passed away at age 61….Los Angeles-based Tag Team has added two directors, Ernie Mosteller and Maria Reed, both formerly of Fried Okra Entertainment, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Mosteller founded Fried Okra in 2001 and will retain the company for special projects….Hollywood-based Transistor Studios has opened a New York office anchored by executive producer Damon Meena, creative director Jared Plummer and designer Aaron Baumie. Transistor is also in the process of moving its West Coast office from Hollywood to Venice, Calif., the key staffers being director Justin Harder, designer Joe Todoran, line producer Curtis Mead and live-action director Jim Byrkit. The latter just came over from sister company Seed; both Transistor and Seed are part of the Backyard Productions’ family of shops. Transistor has also brought on board design directors Manny B and Anders Schroder….Bryan Godwin of Charlex, New York, has been promoted, adding VP stripes to his ongoing title of CG/VFX supervisor….Spin Productions, Toronto and Atlanta, has opened Spin West VFX, Vancouver, B.C., to facilitate the company’s television and film work. The facility will be headed up by visual effects artist Doug Campbell, who was formerly with GVFX, Vancouver…. Industry vet Harry Tracosas has launched Global Production Network (GPN), a Los Angeles-based international production facilitation firm. GPN has already provided consultation and production facilitation on spot shoots in Romania, Australia, Argentina, Mexico and Greece….
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