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.
Oscar Nominees Gather For Cocktails, Dinner and The Annual Class Picture
Five days before the Academy Awards, nearly every nominee gathered for a cocktail reception, dinner and class picture shoot that served as an Oscars orientation.
The event Tuesday night at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures was a stand-in for the annual Oscars luncheon usually held about a month earlier but scrubbed because of the Southern California wildfires.
With the voting over and winners determined, contenders got chummy and the mood was cheerful. Best actress favorites Mikey Madison and Demi Moore hugged and chatted. So did best actor front-runners Timothรฉe Chalamet and Adrien Brody.
"Everyone say Oscar nominee!" best actress nominee Cynthia Erivo shouted gleefully from the front row of the museum's David Geffen Theater, where the dozens of nominees sat for their group picture.
Clustered in front with Erivo were three best supporting actress nominees: her "Wicked" castmate Ariana Grande, Monica Barbaro of "A Complete Unknown" and Zoe Saldaรฑa of "Emilia Perez" along with Madison, nominated for "Anora." The five women stood in a circle and talked happily together after the photo, and kept the conversation going as they descended the stairs together to dinner.
In the back of the theater, a trio of best actor nominees sat together: Sebastian Stan of "The Apprentice," Colman Domingo of "Sing Sing" and Brody, of "The Brutalist."
After the photo was taken, Academy President Janet Yang gave the orientation presentation, reminding everyone that the 97th Academy Awards will be held Sunday.
She greeted first-time nominees and acknowledged there were also some with more than one.
Denis Villeneuve, director of "Dune: Part 2" and a four-time nominee, raised his hand. Sixteen-time best original song nominee... Read More