Los Angeles-based Boxer Films has signed director Erik Almås. An accomplished still photographer–who is repped by Vaughn Hannigan and has worked with such clients as Toyota, Microsoft, Puma, Nike, Hyatt and The Ritz-Carlton–Almås is looking to expand his storytelling to moving pictures via Boxer…James Franco, who received a Best Leading Actor Oscar nomination last year for his work in 127 Hours, has directed his first ever ad campaign for 7 For All Mankind Jeans. Born from an art film imagined and created by Franco in collaboration with the brand’s creative agency, Lipman, the unorthodox campaign is a multimedia experience that embodies the brand’s California roots and “forever cool” aesthetic. The campaign debuts with a short teaser video, which was shot from behind Franco’s POV. The campaign will feature a number of cutting-edge print and digital assets and will culminate with a full-length feature film to be released in May. The campaign features Henry Hopper (son of the late actor Dennis Hopper), Lily Donaldson, and Nathalie Love (daughter of Teen Vogue’s editor Lisa Love)….Editor Diego Panich, who’s been repped stateside by New York-based Wild(child) Editorial for the past two years, is now stepping up his commitment to the U.S. market, relocating from Argentina to New York to join the Wild(child) roster. The timing of his move is good given the acclaim he’s received in the U.S. and internationally for his cutting of Volkswagen’s “Duel” out of DDB Argentina, and Norte Beer’s “Photoblocker” for Del Campo Saatchi & Saatchi, Buenos Aires….Australian studio Fuel VFX has added sr. producers Kate Stenhouse and Samantha Daley to its commercials team…
FireAid Concert Features Major Music Stars, Shares Stories Of Loss To Raise Money For L.A. Wildfire Relief
Pop stars, first responders, rock stars and those who've lost everything in the devastating LA-area wildfires came together for FireAid, a massive benefit concert Thursday that combined spectacular performances with moving storytelling from survivors and reminders of the destruction.
In a night full of surprises, a reunion of Nirvana — fronted by St. Vincent, Kim Gordon and Joan Jett in the place of the late Kurt Cobain — tops the list. They launched into "Breed," "School" and "Territorial Pissings" respectively, inspired and unexpected choices.
Drummer Dave Grohl's daughter, Violet, then emerged on stage for "All Apologies."
Closer Lady Gaga, after powering through the Oscar-award winning "Shallow" and "Always Remember Us This Way" from "A Star Is Born," played a new song on the piano. "It's just for tonight, it's just for you," she said of the song she wrote with fiancé businessman Michael Polansky. "Time is a healer."
"All I need is time," she sang in the folk-y pop chorus. "To heal my broken wings and then I'll soar."
Green Day kicked off the massive show by launching into "Last Night on Earth" at the Kia Forum and were soon joined by Billie Eilish for the first surprise of the night. The lyrics are surprisingly astute: "If I lose everything in the fire / I'm sending all my love to you."
After their set, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong hugged actor Billy Crystal, who was there to welcome to the crowd at the Kia Forum.
"Our goal is simple tonight, to spend more money than the Dodgers spent on free agents," he joked. He told the audience U2 offered the first big donation of the night: $1 million dollars.
Crystal said he was wearing the clothes he had on when he evacuated. He lost his home in... Read More