Director George Mays, best known for his work with Red Bull, has signed with Seed Media Arts, a Chicago-headquartered commercial and branded content production company under the aegis of owner and managing director Roy Skillicorn. Mays also continues to direct freelance for Red Bull’s Media House where he has worked for over 10 years, helping to establish the brand with his compelling branded films. As a director who is known as an acclaimed specialist in brand strategy, market dynamics, and creative event integration, Mays has had his work for Red Bull shared by millions. In addition to working with Red Bull, the Los Angeles-based Mays writes feature scripts, and music….
Sr. creative duo Mister–consisting of art director Michelle “Miche” Sieg and copywriter Rose Chirillo–has joined L.A.-based independent agency Mistress. Mister, whose name comes from a combination of the two’s initials and a playful subversion of gender stereotypes in a male-dominated industry, brings experience working on brands like Grubhub and Taco Bell, as well as Mistress clients like Chambord and Ibotta, having collaborated with the agency before. Prior to meeting Chirillo, Miche spent the majority of her art direction upbringing working in branded content and music. Her most well-known work was with Intel and Lady Gaga for her 2016 Grammy performance, for which she won a Gold Cannes Lion and Clio Music award. She has also worked for brands like Nixon, Ultimate Ears, Hyundai, and Pacifico. Chirillo has a dual-background in advertising and entertainment and has written original content for brands including Amazon, Staples, Panda Express and HBO. Some of her most notable work includes a PromaxBDA-winning television spot for Netflix that ran during the Emmys and starred Ricky Gervais. Mister’s latest work for Mistress features celebrity superfan, Kristen Bell, alongside a colorful cast of characters for Spindrift sparkling water. The team has also contributed to a number of upcoming new business wins….
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