Writer-director Magellan Rubin has joined the Seed Media Arts’ roster. He had previously been freelancing. Rubin began as a cinematographer but yearned to tell the stories himself. The 23-year-old Rubin has since successfully settled into the director’s chair, having already helmed commercials for brands like Mercedes-Benz and Nike while also pursuing music videos for major artists like G-Eazy. Rubin was drawn to Seed owner Roy Skillicorn’s track record for nurturing and developing young directors. Skillicorn and EP Kris Mathur head up Seed while also teaming together at Backyard Productions, the company Skillicorn founded. Both entities share resources that aid them in the marketplace….
Toronto-based Partners Film has added director Trevor Gourley to its roster for Canadian representation. Gourley was previously handled in Canada by Skin & Bones. He’s not repped in the U.S. Gourley’s reel showcases dialogue-driven comedy and grounded performances even in the most absurd situations. He has helmed campaigns for Taco Bell, RBC, Canadian Western Bank and the recently released “Charades” for The Source out of Juniper ParkTBWA. Gourley began his career agency side and spent a decade as one of Canada’s most award-winning creatives before transforming his ear for dialogue and eye for performance into a career as a commercial director….
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More