Mary Knox has joined Curious Pictures, New York , as its executive producer of commercials. She succeeds company partner David Starr who becomes Curious’ executive producer of branded entertainment. Curious is active in branded entertainment fare for such clients as AOL, Mattel and Burger King. Meanwhile Knox–who recently served as a partner in New York-based independent rep firm Commercial Artists Management–has helped to bring some new talent aboard Curious, including the helming duo Ugly, which consists of Abraham Spear and Rohitash Rao. Furthermore, Knox had a hand in inking Baltimore animation studio Buoyant Duck whose directors are now handled via Curious….Feature film directors Christopher Noonan (Babe) and Vincent Ward (What Dreams May Come) have signed with Saville Productions, Beverly Hills, for exclusive U.S. spot representation…..Production execs Joby Barnhart and Jamie Miller have launched Savant, a Santa Monica-based production house. The new venture opens with a directorial roster that includes John Bonito, Matt Carter, Jake Knowles and the Swedish collective Waytion……Director Susie Roberson has joined Taxi Films, New York….Editor Jonathan Silver has returned to Venice, Calif.-based Room. He had most recently been freelancing on the East Coast…..As part of the Advertising Week proceedings in New York, music/post house Fluid, New York, presented its third annual Battle of the Ad Bands. Coming in first place for the second consecutive year was Pants, the band out of McKinney, Raleigh, N.C.. Taking second were The Subliminals from Grey, New York, and finishing third was World Grope from McCann Erickson, New York. The event benefits VH1’s Save The Music foundation, which is dedicated to saving music programs in public schools….
Robert Eggers and Willem Dafoe Reunite For “Nosferatu”
When Willem Dafoe enjoys working with a filmmaker, he'll often jump at the chance to do it again.
The list of directors with whom the 69-year-old has worked with more than once is extensive, including Wes Anderson,Yorgos Lanthimos,Paul Schrader,Lars von Trier and, now for a third time, Robert Eggers. "If it's good, you come back," Dafoe said plainly.
The pair spoke about Eggers' adaptation of "Nosferatu" that hits theaters Wednesday, some of the challenges they faced making "The Lighthouse" — their first project together released in 2019 — and the unique relationship that exists between actors and directors.
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: Willem, I read that you called Robert after you saw "The Witch." What did you say?
DAFOE: I want to meet you and I want to know who this filmmaker is.
Q: What is it about him that keeps bringing you back?
DAFOE: Well, if it's good, you come back. When I saw "The Witch," I thought, "Wow, this is a film about a period that I'm not particularly knowledgeable about, but I enter it so easily. This is relevant. It's rooted. It's my story. I'm with these people."
That's quite an incredible trick because a lot of period films, they're always pointing to themselves. They're always sending messages. They're always showing. This had a kind of energy and the kind of physicality and sensuality that I thought, "Who does this? I gotta see this guy." And then I had a wonderful experience in "The Lighthouse" and I played a part that was really fun in "The Northman." So, when he wants to do this passion project and offers me this beautiful role of Professor Von Franz, I say,... Read More