Street Talk
Director Steve Beck, formerly of bicoastal/international Believe Media, has joined Rhythm & Hues Commercial Studios, Los Angeles. He joins a directorial roster that includes live action/effects guru Clark Anderson and stop-motion specialist Michael Wright. Beck is known for visual storytelling, often entailing a blend of live action and visual effects……Director Gary Califano has joined Los Angeles-based MRB Productions for exclusive representation in commercials….Director Karen Carter has come aboard the roster at Ebel Productions, the Chicago-based, kid-focused production house. She recently brought a documentary-style approach to a package of Metro Health spots for Brokaw, Inc., Cleveland. Carter’s other endeavors as of late include a documentary film, Ruth Duckworth: A Life In Clay, about the celebrated sculptor, and Love is Blind, a short about visually impaired public school students in Chicago and their passion for painting….Venice, Calif.-based production house Angel has been launched under the aegis of executive producer Veronica Beach. The shop opens with a lineup that includes directors Stev Elam, Art Haynie, Farhad Mann, Tony Garcia, Grady Cooper, Jason Ruha, and Salzy….Oscar Nominees Gather For Cocktails, Dinner and The Annual Class Picture
Five days before the Academy Awards, nearly every nominee gathered for a cocktail reception, dinner and class picture shoot that served as an Oscars orientation.
The event Tuesday night at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures was a stand-in for the annual Oscars luncheon usually held about a month earlier but scrubbed because of the Southern California wildfires.
With the voting over and winners determined, contenders got chummy and the mood was cheerful. Best actress favorites Mikey Madison and Demi Moore hugged and chatted. So did best actor front-runners Timothรฉe Chalamet and Adrien Brody.
"Everyone say Oscar nominee!" best actress nominee Cynthia Erivo shouted gleefully from the front row of the museum's David Geffen Theater, where the dozens of nominees sat for their group picture.
Clustered in front with Erivo were three best supporting actress nominees: her "Wicked" castmate Ariana Grande, Monica Barbaro of "A Complete Unknown" and Zoe Saldaรฑa of "Emilia Perez" along with Madison, nominated for "Anora." The five women stood in a circle and talked happily together after the photo, and kept the conversation going as they descended the stairs together to dinner.
In the back of the theater, a trio of best actor nominees sat together: Sebastian Stan of "The Apprentice," Colman Domingo of "Sing Sing" and Brody, of "The Brutalist."
After the photo was taken, Academy President Janet Yang gave the orientation presentation, reminding everyone that the 97th Academy Awards will be held Sunday.
She greeted first-time nominees and acknowledged there were also some with more than one.
Denis Villeneuve, director of "Dune: Part 2" and a four-time nominee, raised his hand. Sixteen-time best original song nominee... Read More