Director George Jecel is joining Santa Monica-headquartered TWC….Jeb Schary, an ad agency vet who has served as a producer at The Richards Group, Dallas, since 1995, has jumped over to the editorial side of the business, joining Mad River Post, Dallas, as its executive producer, effective July 18. Also coming aboard the Dallas shop is editor Sylvette Artinian, formerly of Blue Rock, New York….Director Jonathan David, formerly of bicoastal/international MJZ, has joined bicoastal Go Film…..Crossroads Films, bicoastal and Chicago, has launched a stateside division called Avion@Crossroads. Avion and Crossroads have maintained a co-production relationship for 10-plus years. The new division serve as a more formal stateside repping agreement for three of Avion’s directors: Wade Sherman, Chris Woods and Ian Robertson….Turnpike Films, Los Angeles, has added four directors handled in the U.K. by spot shop Love…Richard Carroll, Philip Dupee, Louisa Fitch and Peter Weber–for exclusive U.S. representation. Meanwhile Turnpike helmer Justin Reardon has picked up representation in Canada via Steam Films. And Steam director Mark Mainguy has joined Turnpike for U.S. representation…..Animation house Acme Filmworks, Hollywood, has signed director Shane Acker, whose short film 9 recently won a Gold Student Academy Award as well as a special jury prize at the Annecy animation festival…..Belgian live-action production house Roses Are Blue has come stateside, opening headquarters in Venice, Calif., with a roster consisting of directors Raf Wathion, Bam Van Riet and Frank Van Passel. The company is managed by exec producers/partners Tom Weissferdt and Michael Sagol….Chicago-based postproduction house Swell has named Monna O’Brien as its president. She most recently served as head of broadcast production/senior partner at Ogilvy & Mather, Chicago….Nancy Osborne is joining Uncle, Santa Monica, as executive producer. She had been exec producer at F.M. Rocks, Santa Monica….Feature filmmaker Roger Michell (Notting Hill) has signed with Los Angeles-headquartered Saville Productions (with offices in London, Tokyo and Berlin) to direct commercials……Right Brain Media, Los Angeles, has signed director/cameraman Jerry Dugan for exclusive spot representation….Richard P. Crudo has been re-elected for a third term as president of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC)…..Barbara Marshall has been promoted to managing director of Encore Hollywood, a post facility that’s part of the Ascent Media Creative Services Group family of shops. Marshall formerly served as director of Encore Visual Effects……The industry is mourning the death of director Bruce Malmuth following a courageous fight against cancer. Malmuth, 71, was active in commercials, music videos, documentaries and features. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Bruce Malmuth Build a Child Foundation, P.O. Box 570625, Tarzana, CA 91357-0625…..
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