Director Rich Wafer–whose work spans spots for such clients as McDonald’s, Nike and Honda, as well as episodic TV for Nickelodeon, ESPN, Comedy Central and Disney Channel–has signed with Washington Square Films where he’s already wrapped a campaign for Walgreens and is currently in pre-pro for a five-day Dow shoot in Montana.
Best known as a visual storyteller, Wafer had most recently been repped for commercials by The Joneses, which he joined in 2007.
Wafer’s career started in the mail room at Ogilvy & Mather, Los Angeles. After a year there, he went into production work, eventually becoming a producer at HKM Productions and later an executive producer at now defunct Propaganda Films.
Wafer then made the transition to director, joining HKM’s roster. His initial jobs there included comedy/dialogue fare for the FOX Sports Network, out of FCB San Francisco, and Nike’s “Baseball Is Dead” spot via Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, Ore. He later returned to Propaganda as a director in ’00. Following Propaganda’s closure, he directed commercials via such shops as Reactor Films.
Washington Square’s head of sales Jonathan Schwartz said he was drawn to Wafer’s storytelling prowess, sense of style, and his ability to consistently attract repeat business over the years.
The overall Washington Square Arts & Films is a production and management company with offices in New York and Los Angeles. The company produces television commercials, feature films, documentaries and digital/new media content. The Arts group manages the careers of actors, writers, directors and composers for the stage and screen. This division also handles booking for live performances, public readings and lectures.
Disney Pledges $15 million In L.A. Fire Aid As More Celebs Learn They’ve Lost Their Homes
The Pacific Palisades wildfires torched the home of "This Is Us" star Milo Ventimiglia, perhaps most poignantly destroying the father-to-be's newly installed crib.
CBS cameras caught the actor walking through his charred house for the first time, standing in what was once his kitchen and looking at a neighborhood in ruin. "Your heart just breaks."
He and his pregnant wife, Jarah Mariano, evacuated Tuesday with their dog and they watched on security cameras as the flames ripped through the house, destroying everything, including a new crib.
"There's a kind of shock moment where you're going, 'Oh, this is real. This is happening.' What good is it to continue watching?' And then at a certain point we just turned it off, like 'What good is it to continue watching?'"
Firefighters sought to make gains Friday during a respite in the heavy winds that fanned the flames as numerous groups pledged aid to help victims and rebuild, including a $15 million donation pledge from the Walt Disney Co.
More stars learn their homes are gone
While seeing the remains of his home, Ventimiglia was struck by a connection to his "This Is Us" character, Jack Pearson, who died after inhaling smoke in a house fire. "It's not lost on me life imitating art."
Mandy Moore, who played Ventimiglia's wife on "This Is Us," nearly lost her home in the Eaton fire, which scorched large areas of the Altadena neighborhood. She said Thursday that part of her house is standing but is unlivable, and her husband lost his music studio and all his instruments.
Mel Gibson's home is "completely gone," his publicist Alan Nierob confirmed Friday. The Oscar winner revealed the loss of his home earlier Friday while appearing on Joe Rogan's... Read More