Photoplay, a production house headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with offices in Auckland, NZ, and representation across Asia, has entered the U.S. market, opening a NY office through the acquisition of RAZR, an experiential production start-up launched a year ago by entrepreneur Mitchel Elsen who will stay on board as managing director overseeing all North American activities. Photoplay will launch its U.S. office with heavy sales capacity on both coasts and the Midwest. Sara Barnthouse, currently based in San Francisco, will continue to handle West Coast sales together with Lisa Gimenez in Los Angeles, while James Deloye will cover the Midwest market out of Chicago. Dana Dubay will take on all East Coast sales duties together with Daryl Devlin of Bernstein & Andriulli, who will specifically focus on Photoplay’s digital and experiential efforts….Matt Murphy has been named a partner at 72andSunny. He will continue his leadership on the agency’s Google business and will help to head up 72andSunny’s commitment to experimentation with art, technology, and entertainment. Since joining 72andSunny in 2009, Murphy has been a driving force behind some of the company’s most standout work, from introducing Kenny Powers as the outspoken MFCEO of KSWISS, to 72andSunny’s work with Nike, Activision, and most recently, Google….
Robert Eggers and Willem Dafoe Reunite For “Nosferatu”
When Willem Dafoe enjoys working with a filmmaker, he'll often jump at the chance to do it again.
The list of directors with whom the 69-year-old has worked with more than once is extensive, including Wes Anderson,Yorgos Lanthimos,Paul Schrader,Lars von Trier and, now for a third time, Robert Eggers. "If it's good, you come back," Dafoe said plainly.
The pair spoke about Eggers' adaptation of "Nosferatu" that hits theaters Wednesday, some of the challenges they faced making "The Lighthouse" — their first project together released in 2019 — and the unique relationship that exists between actors and directors.
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: Willem, I read that you called Robert after you saw "The Witch." What did you say?
DAFOE: I want to meet you and I want to know who this filmmaker is.
Q: What is it about him that keeps bringing you back?
DAFOE: Well, if it's good, you come back. When I saw "The Witch," I thought, "Wow, this is a film about a period that I'm not particularly knowledgeable about, but I enter it so easily. This is relevant. It's rooted. It's my story. I'm with these people."
That's quite an incredible trick because a lot of period films, they're always pointing to themselves. They're always sending messages. They're always showing. This had a kind of energy and the kind of physicality and sensuality that I thought, "Who does this? I gotta see this guy." And then I had a wonderful experience in "The Lighthouse" and I played a part that was really fun in "The Northman." So, when he wants to do this passion project and offers me this beautiful role of Professor Von Franz, I say,... Read More