Celebrating 20 years in digital finishing, restoration and postproduction solutions for the global entertainment industry, illuminate has named media veteran Tal Fiala as its president. The announcement was made by CEO Jim Hardy.
Throughout his career, Fiala has tapped a keen ability to spot trends, expand revenues, motivate teams and cultivate long-lasting client relationships. He has generated new business and improved productivity by collaborating with such major brands as HBO, Amazon, Netflix and Hulu, and with studio and TV network executives. Fiala has also negotiated both budgets and sales contracts for postproduction services with Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Disney and DreamWorks.
“As we look ahead [at illuminate],” said Fiala, “we’re focused on expanding our creative services to accommodate an increase in content production across multiple platforms, as well as to maintain our unique ability to help our clients monetize untapped library assets through leading-edge restoration technology.”
Before joining illuminate, Fiala was sr. VP of business development for Modern VideoFilm, where he secured millions of dollars in revenue for the company’s features, television and distribution areas by tapping his extensive relationships with key studio and TV network executives. His ability to implement and direct several profitable initiatives helped expand Modern VideoFilm both domestically and internationally, giving the company footprints in New York City, Santa Monica, New Orleans and China.
As VP of sales for Ascent Media (a Liberty Media company) from 2003 to 2007, Fiala successfully generated new revenues by identifying unique opportunities and clients in adjacent markets. He also increased sales by improving client relations and establishing a solid referral network.
Also a talented finance professional, Fiala served as financial advisor for UBS Paine Webber from 2000 to 2003, during which he managed a portfolio of $10+ million in assets with a yearly increase of 25% and consistently maintained status as top nationally producing broker within his defined peer group. Fiala further boosted company sales by developing and executing special marketing events.
Oscar Winner Cillian Murphy Takes On The Irish Drama “Small Things Like These”
Cillian Murphy didn't read "Small Things Like These" looking for a film to do. He was simply a fan of the author, Claire Keegan.
Her story, nominated for the Booker Prize, was a work of historical fiction about the Magdalene laundries in Ireland and an ordinary man with repressed trauma who can't force himself to look away over Christmas in 1985. The beauty of the prose and complexities of the themes lingered in Murphy's mind. The Irish actor had also been thinking about starting his own production company. Miraculously, the rights were available.
As a nod to the film, opening in North American theaters on Friday, Murphy and his producing partner Alan Moloney named their company Big Things Films.
"We were like, if you call it Small Things Films, it would show a real lack of ambition," Murphy said with a little laugh. "We thought better call it Big Things Films."
"Small Things Like These" was made after "Oppenheimer" but before the Oscar win, which Murphy is still processing. Work is keeping him busy, though. His company already has another film in post-production, "Steve," based on Max Porter's novel "Shy." And in September, he started filming the "Peaky Blinders" movie.
Murphy spoke to The Associated Press, before heading off to "Peaky Blinders," about being a "serial re-collaborator," the humbling and passive experience of winning the Oscar and pitching Matt Damon the film during a night shoot on "Oppenheimer." Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: What made you want to see Claire's book as a film?
MURPHY: It's a seemingly simple story, but it's actually incredibly complex the way it talks about society and complicity and shame and guilt and secrecy and... Read More