Director Samuel Bayer, formerly of RSA, has returned to bicoastal/international HSI Productions….Numero 6, the directing duo of brothers Laurent and David Nicolas, has split up. Each has embarked on solo helming careers with Laurent Nicolas joining Passion Pictures, London and Paris, for worldwide representation, while David Nicolas remains at Partizan…..Production house Twist, Minneapolis, has opened a New York office and added two directors, Grady Cooper and Jonathan Bekemeier. Amyliz Pera has been named New York-based executive producer of the company’s commercial division. Twist president/executive producer Jim Geib–who co-founded the company in ’97 with director/DP Rich Michell–continues to head up the Minneapolis office as well as the branded entertainment division. Twist has also promoted Jared Yeater to head of production….. Director/DP Richard Reens has come aboard Kandoo Films, Sherman Oaks, Calif…..Bicoastal Brand New School has added executive producers Jennifer Sofio on the West Coast, and Brent Holt on the East Coast. Holt most recently served as exec producer at Little Bull Films, Torino, Italy. Sofio brings an agency pedigree to her new roost, having served as a producer for MVBMS Euro RSCG, New York, from 2000-’02. She later became executive producer of bicoastal/international visual effects house creocollective…..Michael Neithardt has joined Stardust Studios as senior producer. He will work out of the bicoastal company’s New York office. The overall shop continues to be headed by executive creative director Jake Banks….Wendy Bryant has joined New York-based editorial house The Well as executive producer……
A “Wicked” Welcome From The National Board of Review
Days after "Wicked" went home from the Golden Globes with a single award for box office achievement, the National Board of Review Awards held space for the smash hit musical, celebrating its cast and director in the New York group's annual gala Tuesday. The untelevised but starry NBR Awards were a chance for many of the nominees who didn't win Sunday to trot out their would-be acceptance speeches, including Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman. Accepting the award for best actress for her performance in the erotic thriller "Babygirl," Kidman celebrated by chugging a glass of milk, a nod to some of the film's kinky sex games. After finishing, Kidman triumphantly announced "Good girl!" and left the stage. It also was an opportunity for some jabs at the Globes. "Isn't this room just a little bit classier than the Beverly Hilton?" quipped presenter Christine Baranski, looking around the elegant marble-columned midtown venue, Cipriani's. Others were less impressed by the old-school New York vibe. "The bathroom attendant, that shouldn't exist anymore," Kieran Culkin said during a typically free-form acceptance speech for best supporting actor for his role in "A Real Pain." The night belonged to Jon M. Chu's "Wicked." The musical was the board's pick for best film, best director for Chu and a special award for the creative collaboration of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The two, in back-and-forth remarks, continued their mutual praise of each other. "Also you're welcome," added Grande. "I truly think you would have murdered anyone else." "Probably true," responded Erivo. Chu, who was introduced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, used the moment to reflect on his yearslong journey with "Wicked," which will be followed by an already-shot part two due out this... Read More