Station Film has signed director and photographer Zack Seckler for commercials. This marks his first spot representation. A comedic storyteller with a keen eye for detail, Seckler has recently turned out a co-branded digital and social campaign for Condé Nast and State Farm starring the insurance company’s spokesperson Jake via The Marketing Arm, and a Clio-winning campaign for Neuriva for McCann Health.
“We were impressed from the start by what Zack has accomplished in commercials as a freelancer, and his amazing body of work as a photographer,” said Stephen Orent, managing partner, Station Film. “What was also obvious is that he has the drive and the work ethic to really take that talent to the next level as a storyteller in commercials.”
Seckler shared, “I was drawn to Station because the partners have a wealth of experience producing outstanding comedic work and developing comedy directors. The company’s roster is made up of very talented directors, and I appreciate what each of them do and what they’ve accomplished. The word ‘family’ is thrown around a lot, but I feel that Station really works like a family and treats everyone as one of their own. I aspire to do work that is clever, quirky and visual at Station, in the same tone as the best work I’ve done on my own. Except on a bigger stage, with better craft services.”
Seckler currently works across film and photography for brands including Apple, Progressive, Samsung, State Farm and Visa, and has been recognized with awards from Cannes Lions, Clio, Communication Arts and Lürzer’s Archive, among others.
The experience in both mediums has shaped his path as a director. “Vision plus decisions,” Seckler explained. “Having a clear vision and making decisions are skills I’ve honed in photography since the beginning of my career. The composition, blocking, props, performance, every single thing in that single frame should be there for a reason. With directing it’s on a much bigger scale. It’s not just single frames anymore. It’s movement, sound, pacing, performance. With comedy you have the benefits of misdirection, of a reveal, of all the elements that create something surprising and unexpected. My pupils dilate just thinking about it.”
Michelle Towse, partner and executive producer, Station Film, said of Seckler, “His process is enthusiastic and collaborative, always helping to elevate work, with a real appreciation of creative teams. He puts a refreshing and original spin on comedy. His choices with casting, styling and art direction are poised to make him an original voice in the genre.”
Seckler’s affinity for comedy emerged in elementary school with an appreciation of the New Yorker’s famous cartoons and grew as a middle schooler when he discovered George Carlin. He enthused: “To borrow a phrase from Carlin, ‘There’s a humorous side to every situation. The challenge is to find it.’ Comedy is difficult to get right. Trying to meet that challenge, to get it right, is one of the great joys of my life.”
Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” Wins Top Prize At Venice Film Festival
Pedro Almodóvar's English-language debut "The Room Next Door," with Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, won the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion award Saturday.
Nicole Kidman was awarded the best actress prize, for her r aw and exposing portrayal of a CEO embroiled in an affair with an intern in "Babygirl," but missed the ceremony due to the death of her mother.
The 81st edition of the festival came to a close Saturday, with the Isabelle Huppert-led jury bestowing top prizes to Brady Corbet, for directing the 215-minute post-war epic "The Brutalist" and Vincent Lindon, for his lead performance in "The Quiet Son." Lindon plays a single father whose son is radicalized by the far right.
Maura Delpero's "Vermiglio" won the Silver Lion award. The Italian-French-Belgian drama is about the last year of World War II, in which a refugee soldier happens upon a large family.
The Venice Film Festival used its closing film slot to host the world premiere of Kevin Costner's "Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2."
There was no real consensus pick for the top prize going into the evening, and eyes were focused on what the Isabelle Huppert-led jury would bestow prizes upon this year. Many of the 21 titles playing in competition have been divisive, with passionate supporters and detractors.
"I have good news for you," Huppert said at the ceremony. "Cinema is in great shape."
Among the highest profile of the films of the festival inlcuded: Todd Phillips' "Joker: Folie à Deux," the not-a-musical-musical with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga ; Pablo Larraín's Maria Callas film "Maria," starring Angelina Jolie as the famed soprano; the erotic thriller "Babygirl" in which Kidman gets entangled in a complicated affair with an intern,... Read More