Epoch Films has hired Youree Henley as executive producer. He is based in the bicoastal shop’s L.A. office.
A long-time producer of commercials and feature films, Henley brings to his new roost years of production experience and strong relationships with directors and agencies alike. For years, Henley worked at The Directors Bureau, and it was there that he met directors Roman Coppola and Mike Mills. It was in 2010, with the release of Sofia Coppola’s film, Somewhere, that Henley received his first producer credit. He then went on to produce Roman Coppola’s film, A Glimpse Inside The Mind Of Charles Swan III, and Sofia Coppola’s latest film The Bling Ring. Henley has just finished producing Tim Godsall’s feature film debut entitled Len & Company.
Boutique production company Florence has added Parker Schmidt to its directorial roster, marking his first signing for representation in the U.S. Schmidt found his way into directing from his background as a competitive downhill skateboarder, where his world travels and brand relationships catalyzed a lifelong passion for film. Now behind the camera, Schmidt’s work embodies high-grade art direction, intentional craftsmanship, and lensed moments that capture the human experience.
Following his career in action sports, Schmidt was accepted to MASE Art School in Berlin, after which he began working as an art director for brands like Leica Camera, Nike, and Corona Beer. Once introduced to commercial filmmaking, his directorial style came to life, shooting ads across Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.
His body of work includes spots for Lexus, Cadillac, Porsche, Hyundai, REI, CHIMI, Aero Airlines, Apple, Free People, Sharenow, World Sports Games and The Wall Street Journal. Schmidt remains committed to pushing his artistic boundaries as a filmmaker, frequently directing creative shorts like Bowl of Life, Ascension, and the experimental short Requiem. He’s won accolades like Best Sport Film at the Santa Monica International Film Awards and Best Skateboard Film at the Mountain & Adventure Film Festival.
Schmidt said of signing with Florence, “I clicked so quickly with [company founder and EP] Jerad Anderson when we met on a project for Lexus earlier this year. The same goes for [managing director/EP] Ned Brown, who immediately showed a profound interest in getting to know me and what I aspire to achieve. The creative alignment of the stars was set in motion to build trust and... Read More
