U.K. house Thomas Thomas Films, founded by director Kevin Thomas and managing director Philippa Thomas in 2000, is opening a New York office. Kevin Thomas has been directing an increasing amount of American work, which proved to be a prime catalyst behind the company decision to launch a stateside shop. Additionally, plans call for the New York operation, headed by executive producer Jenny Gadd, to serve as a springboard into the U.S. market for new talent that the London office is developing such as director Jim Gilchrist…..Brazilian director Joao Daniel Tikhomiroff has signed with Saville Productions, Beverly Hills, for commercial representation in North America….Roland Gauthier has been promoted from senior technical director to CG manager for LAIKA/house, the Portland, Ore.-based division specializing in animated commercials and shorts. LAIKA/house is under the aegis of president/executive producer Lourri Hammack….Michael Pardee has joined Sway Studio, Los Angeles, as executive producer. He will work alongside the visual effects company’s exec producer Shira Boardman. Pardee comes over from Digital Domain, Venice, Calif., where he had served as head of production….Editor Curtis Schmidt has returned to the staff of Crush Editorial, Santa Monica. He originally worked as an editor at Crush from 2000-’03 before moving on to freelance. His credits span spots (K Swiss, Apple, Yahoo, Toyota, Nokia, Earthlink) and music videos (for such performers as James Blunt, Red Jumpsuit, Anti-Flag, Deep Dish)……
Director Ben Steiger Levine Joins Lord Danger For U.S. Spot Representation
Lord Danger, the creative production company that’s part of the Monstera Group, has added director Ben Steiger Levine to its talent roster for U.S. commercial representation. He joins a Lord Danger directorial lineup which includes Mike Diva, Cache Bunny, MP Curtet, and Parker Seaman.
Steiger Levine shared that he was drawn in part to Lord Danger in that it’s a small, close-knit group of creative pros producing standout work. “They’re not a huge fish but rather a stealthy, nimble piranha made of beautiful rainbow colors that can adapt on a dime and devour,” Steiger Levine said. “All the directors on the roster have a voice. Lord Danger makes original images. Images with impact. Maintaining voice all while effectively selling products is the killer combination that makes work iconic, and this is Lord Danger’s priority.”
Known for his flair for design and visual effects, complemented by his strengths as a storyteller, Steiger Levine burst onto the scene after earning a slot in the 2009 Saatchi and Saatchi New Directors’ Showcase unveiled at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. He was also named a Young Gun by the Art Directors Club. Prior to joining Lord Danger, Steiger Levine was most recently with production house Greencard.
His reel includes a visually arresting campaign for Jack Links, a campaign for Core Water featuring actress Hailee Steinfeld, work for Nintendo, and the oddly-moving “Intolerance” project for Natrel, the Canadian lactose-free dairy product line, which uses a faux documentary to tell the story of a giant of a man who owes his status to drinking Natrel milk. The effect of a towering man in his too-small house was achieved without any CGI, just using in-camera tricks and compositing. Steiger... Read More