Director Laszlo Kadar, known for his car commercials, is now available through Los Angeles-based production company Instant Karma. His work for Audi, VW, Jeep, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Alfa Romeo, Porsche and Lexus has been honored at the Cannes Lions, Clio, New York Festivals, London International Awards and ADC competitions. Kadar began his career in features as a DP before settling into the director’s chair….
Nice Shoes has launched a full service studio in Toronto opening with the talents of creative directors Gary Thomas and Matt Greenwood, design director Stefan Woronko, senior colorist Roslyn Di Sisto, and executive producer Kristen Van Fleet. The new studio will offer directors and clients in the U.S. planning shoots in Canada a convenient and competitive production partner. Nice Shoes Toronto will be integrated with the studio’s Remote Color Grading network, creating opportunities for Di Sisto to work with clients throughout North America, and for clients in Toronto to connect with the company’s full roster of colorists located in New York, Chicago, and Minneapolis. Di Sisto will be working in the same high end color grading environment as all the company’s colorists, equipped with Film Light’s Baselight and with monitors calibrated by Nice Shoes’ expert team of engineers….
Walrus has promoted two senior members of the NY agency’s leadership team to newly expanded roles. Valerie Hope, who was previously head of integrated production, is now director of integrated production and creative services; and Paula Beer Levine has been elevated from head of account management to managing director. Prior to joining Walrus in 2012, Hope was the founder of Backbone Productions, an integrated production company that worked with clients including Nike, ESPN, Reebok, Volkswagen, Avon, L’Oreal, Sharp, New York Life, Coca-Cola, Umbro, among others. Previously she was a partner and the director of production and creative services at Mad Dogs & Englishmen. Levine joined Walrus in 2008 after several years working as a marketing consultant. Prior to that, she was a partner and the director of account management at Mad Dogs & Englishmen….
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More