NY and Brooklyn-based production company Hornet has opened a shop in London. Hornet’s partnerships and long running history in the U.K. made London a fitting choice, as the studio has produced numerous award-winning campaigns and noteworthy adverts there over the past 10 years. Hornet’s new venture will lend greater support to its international roster while also laying the foundation to seek out and develop new talent in the U.K. Veteran producer Lisa Hill (most recently of Passion Pictures) will take the reins of Hornet London as EP. Hornet London will represent directors Yves Geleyn, Dan & Jason, Peter Sluszka, Julia Pott, Gabe Askew, Eran Hilleli and Parallel. London-based director David Luepschen will join the roster in February….L.A. production company DUCK Studios has signed Milan-based creative studio Dadomani for representation. Dadomani’s team consists of four members whose talents combine into one singular creative vision: Donato Di Carlo (postproduction), Leonardo Ponzano (set design), Francesco De Meo (set design) and Faio Cirilli (animation). They develop and manage projects from the initial idea up to the delivery of the finished product. For stop motion, Dadomani animates a range of mediums including paper cut-outs, clay, and found objects. They enjoy the juxtaposition of colored sets with minimalist characters. Dadomani has completed work for clients including Coach, Lavazza, McDonald’s, Barilla and Vodaphone….Rob Meltzer, director of Dove Men+Care’s 2015 Super Bowl spot “Calls for Dad” (a version repurposed from his original Father’s Day ad), has launched L.A.-based production company RINGER along with EP Sven Shelgren. Already under the RINGER banner, Meltzer has directed projects for Coca-Cola, AT&T, the NBA, Bravo and Nickelodeon. In addition to his spot work, Meltzer is a prolific director of TV promos, turning out campaigns for NBC, ABC, CBS, TBS, Discovery, Food Network and Bravo….
Is “Glicked” The New “Barbenheimer”? “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” Hit Theater Screens
"Barbenheimer" was a phenomenon impossible to manufacture. But, more than a year later, that hasn't stopped people from trying to make "Glicked" — or even "Babyratu" — happen.
The counterprogramming of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" in July 2023 hit a nerve culturally and had the receipts to back it up. Unlike so many things that begin as memes, it transcended its online beginnings. Instead of an either-or, the two movies ultimately complemented and boosted one another at the box office.
And ever since, moviegoers, marketers and meme makers have been trying to recreate that moment, searching the movie release schedule for odd mashups and sending candidates off into the social media void. Most attempts have fizzled (sorry, "Saw Patrol" ).
This weekend is perhaps the closest approximation yet as the Broadway musical adaptation "Wicked" opens Friday against the chest-thumping sword-and-sandals epic "Gladiator II." Two big studio releases (Universal and Paramount), with one-name titles, opposite tones and aesthetics and big blockbuster energy — it was already halfway there before the name game began: "Wickiator," "Wadiator," "Gladwick" and even the eyebrow raising "Gladicked" have all been suggested.
"'Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more," actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening of "Gladiator II" this week. "I think we should all band around 'Glicked.' It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it."
As with "Barbenheimer," as reductive as it might seem, "Glicked" also has the male/female divide that make the fan art extra silly. One is pink and bright and awash in sparkles, tulle, Broadway bangers and brand tie-ins; The other is all sweat and sand, blood and bulging... Read More