Commercial film and production company Birth has added Canadian director Devon Ferguson to its roster for representation in the U.K. Ferguson won two Silver Screen Cannes Young Director Awards this year for “Best Use Of Humor” and best “Super Short” for his Monster.com spot “Stare.” He also earned a place in the top 10 at the Berlin Commercial Awards and was shortlisted at the Kinsale Shark Awards 2021 for Best New Director. His comedy web series Bachelor Daddies which he co-created, directed and starred in, was nominated for a Leo Award and is currently written into a TV pilot. Ferguson’s latest work, “Accent” for US insurance company Geico, pokes fun at English accents by showing an American couple’s confusion that their friends appear to have picked up a Cockney accent after a layover at London’s Heathrow airport. A writer and actor as well as a director, Ferguson is a graduate of the Humber Acting for Film/Television Program in Toronto and trained at Second City, UCB School of Improv and The Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles.
Director Rebecca Applebaum has joined Untitled Films in Toronto for Canadian representation. Her short film Spooning was a hit on the CBC network and her directorial efforts earned it a Best Actor award at the Canadian Film Fest and a nomination from the ACTRA Awards. Applebaum’s first foray into commercial directing for BetterHelp–“Distant Friends”–punched through during the pandemic with over 20 million views online. Applebaum is an actor by trade and directing talented memorable performances is the kind of work she loves doing. Her most recent work is another spot for BetterHelp, “Want,” focusing on men’s mental health needs……
Sinners and Saints Adds Apple Pie To Its Branded Menu
Bicoastal Sinners and Saints--the multidisciplinary studio overseen by managing director/executive producer Heather Heller, and partners/EPs Yann Henric and Thomas Carroll--has added Apple Pie Tabletop to its roster for branded content. Known for its food and beverage content creation, Apple Pie comprises the husband-and-wife team of director/DP Gene Dubin and director/art director Alisa Volodina. In addition to representation, the move expands Apple Pie’s production capabilities through the combination of its centrally located full-service studio in New York and a newly established mobile studio in Los Angeles. Apple Pie recently teamed with Sinners and Saints on a Wienerschnitzel project created by Innocean.
“We believe that our dual studio strategy positions us uniquely in the competitive landscape of food and beverage storytelling,” said Heller. “By blending the artistry of the New York studio with the flexibility of our Los Angeles location, we can tailor our productions to meet the unique demands of each project, regardless of geography.”
“Working with Sinners and Saints in the demanding field of tabletop was an absolute pleasure,” shared Apple Pie Tabletop in a joint statement. “Warm welcome, unwavering support and dedication--everything a director can ask for. The entire experience was both enjoyable and rewarding. We will not miss an opportunity to collaborate with them again.”
“The first thing you notice is that Apple Pie has beautiful work,” Heller observed. “Having worked with them, I can say that Gene and Alisa are extremely meticulous and detail-oriented; their combination of talent and agility appeals to agencies and clients.” Also appealing to Heller is Apple Pie Tabletop’s brisk international... Read More