EP Melissa Beth and Director Ruben Latre have announced the official launch of production company Hostage Films. The duo has been collaborating in various capacities since 2008, and founded the company to create brand based content, commercials and features. Laura Zinn of Zinndependent represents the company.
The duo first worked together at Kipany Pictures, where Melissa Beth signed Ruben Latre as part of the company’s commercial division’s roster. Following Kipany, she worked as Latre’s producer on various independent productions. Prior to launching Hostage Films, Melissa was the east coast EP of atSwim, and Ruben was represented by Story.
Hostage Films is currently in post-production on a project for Samsung, which brought them to Istanbul, Turkey and four hours outside of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This is the second year Ruben has directed and photographed this campaign for Samsung. Last year’s work can be seen here. Just prior, Hostage was on location in New Zealand shooting a national commercial and print campaign for Y&R.
Known for his striking visual narratives and strong design background, Ruben Latre was featured in SHOOT’s New Directors Showcase in 2011. In 2012 he was shortlisted at the AICP Show in Cinematography for the TMG Health commercial he directed and DPed on location in Iceland (also named a Vimeo Staff Pick). Latre was named Best New Director at APCP Madrid 2010 for a spot paying homage to Ridley Scott’s Alien. This year, Latre was selected to judge Sony’s PROduction Awards.
Since the beginning of 2013, Ruben has been shooting around the world, first in Haiti and Tanzania for the Abbott Fund, followed by the launch campaign for the international art cooperative, Talents United. In February, Latre flew to Kiev to shoot a spot for Ogilvy, Ukraine, followed by a commercial shoot with Academy Award-winning DP Mauro Fiore (Avatar).
Hostage Films has also just completed a short form project through DraftFCB NY as well as online content for Microsoft.
As president of Hostage Films, Melissa Beth is a proud member of the Women Presidents’ Organization. In addition to producing numerous commercials and long-form brand films, Melissa Beth has produced two feature films: the 2006 comedy The Immaculate Misconception and the 2008 drama Bittersweet starring Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead & Prison Break). She began her career as a producer for MTV.
“Hostage Films has evolved from our work together and is the culmination of our experiences working in entertainment and advertising worldwide,” concludes Melissa Beth. “I am thrilled to launch the company with such momentum, working side-by-side with Ruben.”
For more on Hostage Films, please visit www.hostagefilms.com.