Craft, a global marketing production and adaptation agency that is a division of McCann Worldgroup, has made key hires and promotions in its New York and Boston studio locations. Shay Fu has been promoted to North America head of studio operations, Craft; Michael Marsan joins as director of operations, sales & marketing, Craft Translation; and Brian Distefano has been appointed managing director, Craft Boston, which was added to Craft’s global network of core studios in July. Fu, previously EVP/head of integrated operations, Craft New York, will extend her role to oversee production operations in the U.S. and Canada as head of studio operations across Craft’s North America network. Marsan brings over 20 years’ experience, having held senior management roles at leading global translation and transcreation houses. Distefano will be responsible for all functions of the Craft Boston office including creative and production services. Distefano began his career as a copywriter at Staples, Inc., rising to group creative director. Craft expanded its relationship with Staples earlier this year by integrating the retailer’s in-house creative and production services department into its operations, adding Craft Boston to its global lineup of core studios….
Director John Poliquin has joined production house Derby. Known for combining live action and motion graphic techniques, Poliquin has turned out work for the likes of GQ, D’décor, Wilhelmina Models, Norman Ambrose, Tribeca Film, Warner Music, Interscope Records, Universal Music, S’well, Nestle Purina, Blistex and Lubriderm. He got his start in the business by directing more than 60 music videos for artists including Carly Rae Jepsen and Walk Off The Earth. Poliquin has since garnered a number of industry accolades, including MTV’s MuchMusic award; “Best Short Film” at the Calgary International Film Festival for Inside Charlie; and last year’s S’well campaign, “Hydration Magic”….
After 20 Years of Acting, Megan Park Finds Her Groove In The Director’s Chair On “My Old Ass”
Megan Park feels a little bad that her movie is making so many people cry. It's not just a single tear either — more like full body sobs.
She didn't set out to make a tearjerker with "My Old Ass," now streaming on Prime Video. She just wanted to tell a story about a young woman in conversation with her older self. The film is quite funny (the dialogue between 18-year-old and almost 40-year-old Elliott happens because of a mushroom trip that includes a Justin Bieber cover), but it packs an emotional punch, too.
Writing, Park said, is often her way of working through things. When she put pen to paper on "My Old Ass," she was a new mom and staying in her childhood bedroom during the pandemic. One night, she and her whole nuclear family slept under the same roof. She didn't know it then, but it would be the last time, and she started wondering what it would be like to have known that.
In the film, older Elliott ( Aubrey Plaza ) advises younger Elliott ( Maisy Stella ) to not be so eager to leave her provincial town, her younger brothers and her parents and to slow down and appreciate things as they are. She also tells her to stay away from a guy named Chad who she meets the next day and discovers that, unfortunately, he's quite cute.
At 38, Park is just getting started as a filmmaker. Her first, "The Fallout," in which Jenna Ortega plays a teen in the aftermath of a school shooting, had one of those pandemic releases that didn't even feel real. But it did get the attention of Margot Robbie 's production company LuckyChap Entertainment, who reached out to Park to see what other ideas she had brewing.
"They were very instrumental in encouraging me to go with it," Park said. "They're just really even-keeled, good people, which makes... Read More