Coverage includes audio insights into "The Equalizer 3," the unveiling of directors who made the final cut for SHOOT’s New Directors Showcase, tech rollouts, production company and music house expansion
By SHOOT Staff Report
VERO BEACH, Fla. --The most engaging publicity news releases on the SHOOT Publicity Wire (SPW) in 2023 included a report on the integral contributions of Sony Pictures Post Production Services to The Equalizer 3; the unveiling of the filmmakers’ lineup for the 2023 SHOOT New Directors Showcase; a Q&A with director Michele Krusiec and production designer Angran Li about Hulu’s spooky hit series, Nian; and two separate Sony Electronics announcements–one about firmware updates for the FX 3 full-frame digital cinema camera and the FX30 Super 35 digital cinema camera, and a new virtual production tool set to improve pre-pro and on-set workflows.
Topping the 2023 SPW rundown was a look–and listen–at how the veteran sound team from Sony Pictures Post Production Services contributed to The Equalizer 3, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Denzel Washington. Audio played a major part in the success of the third and final chapter in the hugely popular action thriller franchise.
Finishing second in the SPW views tally was the news that Level 77 Music had acquired the catalog from the Minneapolis-based advertising music house eGG Music.
Taking third place in our rundown was the “Together, We’re More” campaign for the Choctaw Nation, the third largest Indian Nation in the U.S. Teaming on the campaign were charlieuniformtango and TRG.
Fourth place went to Sony Electronics introducing firmware updates for the FX3 full-frame digital cinema camera and the FX30 Super 35 digital cinema camera.
Landing in fifth place was SHOOT announcing the names of the directors who made the final cut for its 2023 21st Annual New Directors Showcase.
Settling in sixth place was an interview with director Michelle Krusiec and production designer Angran Li who shed light on Hulu’s spooky hit series, Nian.
Generating the seventh highest total of views in 2023 was news of Decentralized Pictures and Decrypt Studios presenting FILM3 On the Mountain in Park City, Utah. The event featured a panel discussion on the benefits and drawbacks of blockchain technology for filmmakers, as well as a chance to network with leaders in film and television.
Ending up eighth was news that actress Mardy Ma would appear in a lead role in the Disney+ movie Chang Can Dunk.
Nestled in the ninth slot was Sony Electronics rolling out a virtual production tool set to improve pre-pro and on-set workflows.
And rounding out our SPW top ten was Coed Studios expanding its directorial roster with the addition of Blythe Thomas, Emily Anderson, Noor Gharzeddine and Kris Walter.
Here's a rundown of the 25 most viewed news release on the SHOOT Publicity Wire and their authors (click title to read release):
1. “The Equalizer 3”: Veteran Sound Team From Sony Pictures Post Production Services Helps Bring the Saga of Robert McCall To a Thrilling Conclusion | Artisans PR
2. Level 77 Music Continues its Rapid Ascent Within the Music for Screens Industry with the Acquisition of the Renowned eGG Music Catalog | Asbury PR
3. charlieuniformtango and TRG Team Up For The Choctaw Nation “Together, We’re More” Campaign | Young Company
4. Sony Electronics Announces New Firmware Update For FX3 & FX30 | Artisans PR
5. SHOOT 21st Annual 2023 New Directors Showcase To Debut On October 26th At The NDS2023 Event at the DGA In New York City; 33 Solo Directors, Two Duos Make Final Cut | The Editors of SHOOT
6. Behind The Mask of “Nian” With Director Michelle Krusiec and Production Designer Angran Li | AS Cohen PR
8. Chinese Actress Mardy Ma Plays a Leading Role in New Disney+ Film “Chang Can Dunk” Set to Debut March 10th, 2023 | Asbury PR
10. Coed Studios Expands Directorial Roster, Adds Versatile Lineup of Creative Talents | a vagnoni
11. DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2022 | Weissman Markovitz
12. NYF Health Awards Announces DE+I Board: Aleisia Gibson Wright of Lippe Taylor is 2023 DE+I Chair | NYF
13. ALIBI Music Releases Playlists For Projects Promoting MLK and Black History | Brada PR
14. Dictionary Films Managing Director Chris Rossiter Rides Into Sunset | DW Agency
15. Behind The Journey Of The Anonymous Animator, Javadoodles | AS Cohen PR
16. Caravan Engineers Cross-Country Production To Craft the 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide Launch Film | DW Agency
17. McDonald’s USA Rings in Lunar New Year Through Innovative Collaboration with Viral Video Creator Karen X Cheng | Picture North
18. Meet the Acclaimed Cinematographer of Gal Musette’s Music Video, “Je vois le ciel,” Wes Cardino | AS Cohen PR
19. Creative Agency Sans Serif Adds Ionel Medina as Digital Project Manager | DW Agency
20. Whitehouse Post boosts its editorial roster with the addition of Antonin Brones | whitehouse
21. DWA Presents Ultimate Events, January 2023 Edition (Hybrid Special) | DW Agency
22. Deanna Markoff, Executive Producer of “Buying Beverly Hills” Sets The Scene for her Career Journey and Success | AS Cohen PR
23. Emmy-Nominated Director Billy Clift Drama “Here We Are” Wraps Production | Jay Hopkins
24. The Kalb Report Honored With The 2023 New York Festivals Lifetime Achievement Award | NYF
25. Dictionary Films Starts New Era Under Leadership of Managing Director Brian Smego | DW Agency
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More