Bicoastal integrated production studio Humble has added Todd Biermann to its directorial roster for representation in the U.S. and Canada. This marks the first representation in spots and branded content for Biermann who’s best known for his work in the TV realm including recent episodes of Broad City, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Wrecked. Biermann brings well-honed comedic chops and over 10 years of experience to Humble.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Biermann attended film school at Temple University and cut his teeth in non-scripted television, filling roles from scouting and casting to directing and producing on hit shows such as TLC’s Trading Spaces. From there he segued into directing for scripted content with the FX hit It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He has gone on to direct numerous half-hour cable comedies including Comedy Central’s Broad City (notably the “2016” episode featuring Hillary Clinton), TV Land’s Younger and The Jim Gaffigan Show, TBS’ Wrecked, and MTV’s upcoming one-hour Sweet/Vicious. Biermann is also slated to direct episodes for the upcoming comedy The Mick on Fox.
“Throughout my career my goal has always been to keep evolving and challenging myself, and the commercial world holds incredible opportunities to experiment with storytelling and to reach new audiences,” said Biermann. “Moving into this new phase in my career is a huge step, and I’m excited to make the leap thanks to the great collaborators and supporters I’ve found at Humble.”
Shannon Lords, EP at Humble, added, “Todd has such a strong track record in the comedy space and is able to successfully adapt to a variety of styles and environments to get the most effective performances. His skillsets will be a huge asset to our roster.”
Review: Writer-Director Aaron Schimberg’s “A Different Man”
Imagine you could wake up one morning, stand at the mirror, and literally peel off any part of your looks you don't like — with only movie-star beauty remaining.
How would it change your life? How SHOULD it change your life?
That's a question – well, a launching point, really — for Edward, protagonist of Aaron Schimberg's fascinating, genre-bending, undeniably provocative and occasionally frustrating "A Different Man," featuring a stellar trio of Sebastian Stan, Adam Pearson and Renate Reinsve.
The very title is open to multiple interpretations. Who (and what) is "different"? The original Edward, who has neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes bulging tumors on his face? Or the man he becomes when he's able to slip out of that skin? And is he "different" to others, or to himself?
When we meet Edward, a struggling actor in New York (Stan, in elaborate makeup), he's filming some sort of commercial. We soon learn it's an instructional video on how to behave around colleagues with deformities. But even there, the director stops him, offering changes. "Wouldn't want to scare anyone," he says.
On Edward's way home on the subway, people stare. Back at his small apartment building, he meets a young woman in the hallway, in the midst of moving to the flat next door. She winces visibly when she first sees him, as virtually everyone does.
But later, Ingrid (Reinsve) tries to make it up to him, coming over to chat. She is charming and forthright, and tells Edward she's a budding playwright.
Edward goes for a medical checkup and learns that one of his tumors is slowly progressing over the eye. But he's also told of an experimental trial he could join. With the possibility — maybe — of a cure.
So... Read More