White Plains, New York-based computer animation/visual effects house Blue Sky Studios has closed its commercial division. The company, which is owned by 20th Century Fox, will now focus on animated features. Currently in the works is Ice Age, to be directed by Chris Wedge….Director Roger Lunn has signed with New York based Link for U.S. representation. He is repped in Europe by Frontier Pictures, London….Sound designer/music composer Claude Letessier has joined Primal Scream, Santa Monica…. Chicago-based Chameleon Music is launching SoundPunks, an Internet music and sound design division ….Director Michel Gondry of bicoastal/international Partizan is wrapping up work on his feature film directorial debut, Human Nature, which will open in theatres in March; Gondry will be available for commercials at the end of October…….Director McG is again available for spots via Los Angeles-headquartered A Band Apart Commercials after wrapping his feature directing debut, Charlie’s Angels….Lizzie Friedman and Francesca Silvestri, who head the Hollywood-based motion picture/TV division of bicoastal commercial house Moxie Pictures, are co-producing A View From the Top for Miramax Films. Gwyneth Paltrow has committed to star in the film, which Friedman and Silvestri sold as a property to Miramax in 1999, when they maintained Friedman/Silvestri Entertainment. Friedman and Silvestri came aboard Moxie earlier this year (SHOOT, 6/23, p. 1)….
Edward Lachman Wins American Society of Cinematographers Award For “Maria”
The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) held its 39th annual ASC Awards on Sunday night (2/23) at the Beverly Hilton with Edward Lachman, ASC earning the marquee theatrical feature film honor for Maria. In his acceptance remarks, Lachman thanked, among others, director Pablo Larrain and actor Angelina Jolie who portrayed Maria Callas. Lachman noted that this was his second film with Larrain whom he described as โa cinematographer himselfโ in terms of how he thinks about images and camera movement. Lachman also hailed Jolieโs performance for capturing the spirit and heart of Callas. Lachman said he found Callasโ story inspiring, sharing that she suffered from an autoimmune disease the last 20 years of her life, but continually fought for perfection to become one of the greatest artists and opera singers of all time. He said her life is motivation for artists to rise above their circumstances to create and express themselves through their art. This marks Lachmanโs first ASC Award win in a theatrical or television category. He was previously nominated for Far From Heaven (2003), Mildred Pierce (2011), Carol (2016) and El Conde (2024, Lachman's first film with director Larrain). Lachman was honored with the ASCโs Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. The 39th ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards also honored Jomo Fray for Nickel Boys in the Spotlight Award category, which recognizes stellar cinematography in independent, foreign or art-house type/festival films. Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw topped the documentary category for Gaucho Gaucho. ASC Award winners in television were Robert Elswit, ASC for Ripley, Sam McCurdy, ASC, BSC for Shลgun, and Richard... Read More