Instant Karma Films has added Olivier Venturini to its U.S. directorial roster for commercials and branded content. Born in France where he began his directing career shooting for such clients as Cartier, Alfa Romeo, BMW, Fiat and Coca Cola, Venturini then made his way to Los Angeles. Presently, he is best known for his beauty work for L’Oreal and working with top celebrities around the world…..
Global digital marketing agency Isobar has made three key hires in its Boston office. Kenny Rennard has joined as an executive creative director while Steve Coy and Jason Szatmary have come aboard as VPs. All three will report to co-CEOs Geoff Cubitt and Jeff Maling. Prior to Isobar, Rennard spent a little over a decade at Digitas. While there, he led accounts such as Bank of America, GM and Harley Davidson, overseeing a team of nearly 40 creatives. His work has been recognized by a number of industry accolades, including Cannes Lions, Webby, and Communication Arts honors. At Isobar, Coy is responsible for managing a number of businesses across the Boston and New York offices, including Sotheby’s. He will also help lead new practice and service development, with a heavy focus on new business. Szatmary is charged with solving Isobar’s client’s most complex problems and opportunities. Prior to Isobar, Coy was director of client services at SapientNitro. Hailing from SapientNitro as well, Szatmary previously held the role of group account 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