Tool of North America has added live-action directors Rudi Schwab and Sasha Levinson to its roster for commercial and branded content representation in the U.S.
Schwab began his career as a photographer, eventually moving on to direct commercials, including Gillette’s “Handle With Care” which won seven Cannes Lions and four Gold Clio Awards. With a knack for capturing the emotional and inspiring elements of a story, he has collaborated with brands including Google, Hewlett-Packard, Disney and Samsung. Schwab has garnered assorted awards for his work, including Emmys, Cannes Lions, Clio Awards and Golden Pencils.
Levinson, who is best known for co-writing and directing short films for the Las Vegas Convention and Tourism Authority, all of which went viral, garnering a dramatic global response, perhaps most notably with the viral spot “Now and Then” receiving a nomination for YouTube Ad of the Year. She began her career in the electric music video scene, receiving an MTV nomination for her work on Cake’s “Short Skirt, Long Jacket.” Levinson has directed commercials for brands such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Samsung and McDonald’s.
Prior to joining Tool, Schwab and Levinson had most recently been repped by Humble.
“As seasoned filmmakers with strong points of view, both directors have the great gift of crafting powerful and emotional stories,” said Nancy Hacohen, managing director of live action at Tool. “Working with HP and Gillette, Schwab has combined clear and confident storytelling with breath-taking visuals. Additionally, Sasha has broken new creative ground by presenting a refreshing, unique, and modern female perspective.”
Review: Writer-Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood’s “Heretic”
"Heretic" opens with an unusual table setter: Two young missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are discussing condoms and why some are labeled as large even though they're all pretty much a standard size. "What else do we believe because of marketing?" one asks the other.
That line will echo through the movie, a stimulating discussion of religion that emerges from a horror movie wrapper. Despite a second-half slide and feeling unbalanced, this is the rare movie that combines lots of squirting blood and elevated discussion of the ancient Egyptian god Horus.
Our two church members — played fiercely by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East — are wandering around trying to covert souls when they knock on the door of a sweet-looking cottage. Its owner, Mr. Reed, offers a hearty "Good afternoon!" He welcomes them in, brings them drinks and promises a blueberry pie. He's also interested in learning more about the church. So far, so good.
Mr. Reed is, of course, if you've seen the poster, the baddie and he's played by Hugh Grant, who doesn't go the snarling, dead-eyed Hannibal Lecter route in "Heretic." Grant is the slightly bumbling, bashful and self-mocking character we fell in love with in "Four Weddings and a Funeral," but with a smear of menace. He gradually reveals that he actually knows quite a bit about the Mormon religion — and all religions.
"It's good to be religious," he says jauntily and promises his wife will join them soon, a requirement for the church. Homey touches in his home include a framed "Bless This Mess" needlepoint on a wall, but there are also oddities, like his lights are on a timer and there's metal in the walls and ceilings.
Writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood — who also... Read More