By Derrik J. Lang, Entertainment Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP) --"Pacific Rim" filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and "Metal Gear Solid" video game creator Hideo Kojima had big plans for their top-secret interactive collaboration.
"We had great ideas that I think would have done fantastic," del Toro said on stage Thursday at the Academy of Interactive Arts and Science's annual D.I.C.E. Summit.
The writer-director of such films as "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Crimson Peak" reunited with Kojima for a talk at the 15th annual gathering of elite members of the video game industry. The appearance marked the pair's first public appearance together since their video game, "Silent Hills," was canceled last year by publisher Konami.
The title was intended to be the next installment in the long-running "Silent Hill" horror franchise and feature "The Walking Dead" actor Norman Reedus. Del Toro and Kojima teased it last year with the release of a mysterious PlayStation 4 demo called "P.T."
"'P.T.' itself was meant to be sort of a decoy," del Toro said. "We were thinking it would take (players) 10 days, two weeks to solve it. They solved it in three days."
The pair – fans of each other's work – first met when del Toro was in Japan to promote "Hellboy II: The Golden Army." They quickly became friends, and del Toro invited Kojima to his "man cave," populated with the quirky filmmaker's games, toys and other geeky collectibles.
Kojima, who was affiliated with Konami since 1986, is being inducted this year into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. After finishing work on "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain," he is now working on a PS4 game with a newly formed studio, Kojima Productions.
"I feel extremely free right now," the Japanese game designer said through a translator. "I'm trying to make a very big game with an extremely small team. I am doing exactly what I want to do."
Despite the duo moving on to other projects, del Toro is hopeful that he'll again collaborate with Kojima.
"I'll do whatever the (expletive) he wants," the filmmaker said with a big grin, motioning to Kojima.
Mike Pierantozzi joins Movers+Shakers as exec creative director
Creative agency Movers+Shakers has appointed Mike Pierantozzi as executive creative director. In this new role, he will help guide the creative direction of Movers+Shakersโ socially-native campaigns. Pierantozzi will report to co-founder and chief creative officer Geoffrey Goldberg.
With nearly two decades of experience as a copywriter, creative director, and multi-platform storyteller, Pierantozzi brings a wealth of knowledge from his work with major brands including Kraft, Unilever, IBM, and Walmart. He has led the creation of award-winning campaigns for agencies like Red Tettemer, Ogilvy, The Brooklyn Brothers, TAXI, Saatchi & Saatchi, and most recently, Vayner, where he spearheaded culturally iconic work for Planters including โDeath of Mr. Peanut.โ He led the National Down Syndrome Society and Luvs account, whose โFirst Kid. Second Kidโ campaign was awarded by the Effies, ADC, Clios and LIAs.
Outside of the office, Pierantozzi practices what he teaches brands. Heโs gone viral multiple times on his own TikTok account, featuring comedic interactions with his son and a trombone. Heโs accumulated 15K followers on TikTok.
โMike brings a rare and awesome combination of deep social and platform experience, a keen eye for excellent storytelling, and a humble and kind approach to leadership,โ said Goldberg. โMikeโs got a knack for turning brand stories into cultural movements, making him the perfect fit for Movers+Shakers. Heโs got the kind of bold vision and attention to culture that fits perfectly with our mission to push creative boundaries and drive industry firsts. Plus, as a creator himself he has the innate ability to make people stop, laugh, and share--which is exactly what weโre about.โ
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