LOS ANGELES -- Craig Gillespie first established himself as a world-class director in the short-form discipline. A five-time DGA Award nominee for best commercial director of the year, Gillespie won the honor in 2006 on the strength of spots for Ameriquest and Altoids. The next year the Chicago Film Critics Association nominated Gillespie for Most Promising Filmmaker on the basis of his feature, Lars and the Real Girl . Fast forward to today and Gillespie continues to make his mark in features and commercials... Read More 

SANTA FE, NM (AP) -- A film production company is contesting sanctions by New Mexico officials for alleged workplace safety violations on the set of "Rust," where actor and producer Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer in October, according to filings posted Wednesday by state regulators. Rust Movie Productions is challenging the basis of a $137,000 fine against the company by state occupational safety regulators who say production managers on the set of the Western film failed to follow standard industry... Read More 

LONDON (AP) -- Elon Musk said Friday that his plan to buy Twitter for $44 billion is "temporarily on hold" as he tries to pinpoint the exact number of spam and fake accounts on the social media platform, another twist amid signs of internal turmoil over the proposed acquisition. Musk, who has been vocal about his desire to clean up Twitter's problem with "spam bots" that mimic real people, appeared to question whether the company was underreporting them. In a tweet, the Tesla billionaire linked to a Reuters... Read More 

NEW YORK (AP) -- For more than 20 years, acclaimed Argentine filmmaker Victoria Alonso has helped steer Marvel's cinematic juggernaut to ever-growing heights of success. With this week's release of the "Doctor Strange" sequel, she is poised for another hit, and will fulfill a dream of debuting a superhero she's wanted to see onscreen since she started at Marvel Studios. Alonso started at Marvel in 2006 co-producing "Iron Man," the studio's first film, which was released two years later. Since then, she's become... Read More 

NEW YORK (AP) -- While Martin Scorsese and Thelma Schoonmaker were holed up in an apartment cutting "Raging Bull" — an intense process that would have consumed the thoughts of most filmmakers — Scorsese told his editor to take a break. He had a movie he needed to show her. "He said, 'You have to see this one,'" recalls Schoonmaker. Scorsese was by then already a passionate fan of the films of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, the British filmmaking duo known as the Archers. He considered Technicolor films... Read More 

Good things seem to happen to Daisy Edgar-Jones while she's busy doing something else. Her breakout role as Marianne in the popular Hulu miniseries "Normal People" came about while she was on another production. She read the book in between takes and filmed her audition on set. Several years later, she was on that same set when she found out that she had a shot at starring in the big screen adaptation of Delia Owens' " Where the Crawdads Sing " (in theaters July 15). "It was so wild to me that... Read More 

NEW YORK (AP) -- The summer movie season has not, traditionally speaking, been known for its nuanced attention to female sexuality. But smack in the middle of Hollywood's high season of masculine thrill rides and sci-fi fantasies this year is "Good Luck to You, Leo Grande," a compassionate comedy in which Emma Thompson stars as a widow seeking romantic excitement with a suave sex worker, played by newcomer Daryl McCormack. The film, a Searchlight Pictures release to debut June 17 on Hulu, is an intimate two-... Read More 

LONDON -- BBC prison drama Time , Channel 4’s Help and UKTV’s Big Zuu’s Eats were among the big winners at the BAFTA TV Awards on Sunday (5/8). Time won best miniseries distinction as well as best actor for Sean Bean. Help , centered on a fictional care home during the COVID pandemic, earned best actress for Jodie Comer’s protrayal of a care worker, with Cathy Tyson named best supporting actress for her role as a resident. Big Zuu’s Eats garmered its two BAFTAs for best feature and entertainment... Read More 

LONDON -- Mel Sullivan has been named chief executive officer of Framestore, with founding member and CEO of 26 years Sir William Sargent stepping down to focus on the wider Framestore Company 3 Group. Sullivan has been with Framestore since 1998, most recently serving as the company’s chief operating officer. The new role will see Sullivan increase her focus on the company’s strategic direction, with new group CFO Claire Price taking on the day-to-day financial responsibilities for both Framestore and... Read More 

NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES & LONDON -- Bicoastal U.S. commercial production company Epoch Films has expanded to the U.K. Alongside company founder Mindy Goldberg, and partners Melissa Culligan and Martin de Thurah, Epoch’s London office will be helmed by former SMUGGLER director of talent Megan Campbell and former Tony Kaye Films, Stink, and SMUGGLER producer Nick Fewtrell. Campbell has been appointed as executive producer and director of talent U.K., and Fewtrell as managing director and executive producer of Epoch Films U.K.... Read More 

LOS ANGELES -- Director James Rouse has joined Biscuit Filmworks for representation in the U.S. and U.K. Rouse’s commercialmaking has received over 200 awards including two Cannes Grand Prix honors (for Harvey Nichols’ “Sorry, I Spent it on Myself” and The Red Cross’ “Hope”) as well as Ad of the Year at the British Arrows (for Marmite’s “Love It, Hate It, Just Don’t Forget It”). Rouse was previously repped by The Corner Shop and Outsider in the U.S. and U.K., respectively. “James is an incredible director, I’... Read More 

LONDON -- AMV BBDO, London, has appointed four new creative partners--hiring Andre Sallowicz who comes over from adam&eveDDB, London, where he’s been a creative director, and promoting three creative directors from within to creative partners--Michael Jones, Thomas Hazledine and Polina Zabrodskaya. Jones and Hazledine both have over 20 years of experience providing creative leadership and pitch winning campaigns for many the world’s biggest brands in both hemispheres and have been recognized along... Read More 

LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK -- Durable Goods has signed director Chris Applebaum for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. Applebaum’s creative imprint has shaped pop culture across three decades. The multiple MTV Award-winning, six-time Grammy Award nominee has directed 31 MTV #1 music videos for such artists as Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, Selena Gomez, and Demi Lovato. His “Umbrella” video for Rihanna was awarded Video of the Year at the 2007 MTV VMA Awards, and his Semisonic “Closing Time” was the... Read More 

Some are newcomers. Some are former child stars reintroducing themselves in adult roles. And one is a comedian making a leap to big screen. These are just a few of the actors poised to make a splash this summer at the movies: AUSTIN BUTLER IN "ELVIS" How familiar you are with Austin Butler will likely have a lot to do with your age. For a certain demographic, Butler, who starred in Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, CW and ABC Family shows between 2007 and 2012, is one of the most recognizable faces... Read More 

TOKYO (AP) -- Wim Wenders is making a film about high-end public toilets in Japan that will have what the renowned German director calls "social meaning" about people in modern cities. "My first reaction was, I must admit: What? Toilets? Chotto mattene," he said Wednesday, using the Japanese expression for "wait a minute". But then he began to see what the story could be about. "For me, they turned from toilets into restrooms. That's a very nice word in English, the restroom. When I saw these places the next... Read More 

NEW YORK -- Eight high-scoring entries in The One Show 2022 have been named finalists for the One Show CMO Pencil award, honoring the marketer behind the work that had the most impact on a brand’s business from the past year. Finalists for this year’s One Show CMO Pencil are: AB InBev Michelob ULTRA for “Save it See it” by GUT São Paulo Dole Sunshine Company and Ananas Anam for “Piñatex” by L&C New York Google for “Black-Owned Friday” by BBH USA New York Google for “Real Tone” (in house) Heineken for “... Read More 

LOS ANGELES -- Production house Slash Dynamic has expanded its talent roster with directors Deluxe and Gerald McMorrow who additionally will both play a significant role in the company’s S/D Auto, a studio recently formed to create innovative and inspiring automotive content for brands. Deluxe, aka Stéphane Leloutre. and McMorrow come aboard for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. In addition to directing film and TV, McMorrow has established himself in the automotive arena with... Read More 

NEW YORK -- The 2022 AMP Awards has announced the lineup for its Curatorial Committee as the competition puts plans in place for its first live trophy presentation since 2019. The event takes place on Tuesday, May 24 at Sony Hall in Manhattan, with the doors opening at 6:45 pm and the presentation kicking off at 8 pm. On hand to congratulate the winners and help bestow the trophies will be the 2022 AMP Awards Show chair, Julia Neumann, chief creative officer of Johannes Leonardo. She presided over a recent... Read More 

LOS ANGELES -- Production company Ruffian has added director Zoë Neary to its roster for U.S. representation. This marks her first commercial signing in the American market. Born to Chinese and Irish parents and hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Neary attended Capilano University’s School of Motion Picture Arts and has been making films that speak to the Gen-Z experience ever since. Her strong visual point of view is evidenced in her spots for Levi’s, Cupcakes and Johnnie Walker; and in her short film... Read More 

AUSTIN, Tex. & LOS ANGELES -- Director Michael Paul Jones has joined Austin and L.A.-based Synthetic Pictures for worldwide commercial representation. The Montana-based filmmaker has traveled an adventurous directing path from filming vehicles in remote and wild places, to capturing backcountry snowboarding, surfing, and rock climbing, and the many sand dunes, hiking treks, fly fishing and biking trails in between. His spots span such brands as Ford, Toyota, Subaru, Chevy, Nike, New Balance, Patagonia, Yeti, JCPenney and... Read More 

LOS ANGELES -- Independent film and commercial content studio More Media has brought director, DP and editor Jen Sommer aboard its talent roster. This marks her first official commercial representation as a director. Among Sommer’s credits is notable work for Google that bridges the gap between commercial and documentary fare. “We love the realness and humor that Jen brings to her filmmaking, and felt it would be a great fit both for her and us,” said Blaize Saunders, executive producer at More Media. For... Read More 

BROOKLYN, NY -- Bicoastal production studio Greenpoint Pictures has signed Peruvian director Alex Fischman Cárdenas for commercials and branded content in the U.S. This marks the director’s first career representation in the American advertising market. Born and raised in Lima, Perú, Fischman Cárdenas started making movies at a young age and received international recognition for his award-winning narrative short film La Vieja Quinta , starring Peruvian acting legend Enrique Victoria. The popular filmmaking... Read More 

LOS ANGELES -- Director Grayson Whitehurst has officially joined the roster of Los York, formalizing his relationship with the global creative production studio. He had been working pretty much exclusively with Los York over the past year--including when he was selected for SHOOT ’s 2021 New Directors Showcase. Whitehurst has directed spots for brands including MasterCard, Purple, and IKEA. Additionally, he has directed the popular alternate reality game Spectacular Organic and screened his narrative film... Read More 

LOS ANGELES -- Canadian director Hannah Cheesman has joined Yard Dog for advertising projects in the U.S. Currently based in Los Angeles and Toronto, Cheesman has earned kudos for work spanning commercials, features, television, web series and shorts. She was recognized as an Emerging Canadian Filmmaker at the Toronto International Film Festival. Her 2021 feature The Boathouse won Best Feature Thriller at the San Diego International Film Festival and Grand Prize at the Rhode Island International Film Festival... Read More 

AUSTIN, Tex. -- McGarrah Jessee (McJ) has hired Tim Roan as chief creative officer. He joins the indie agency’s executive leadership team, which includes CEO Britton Upham, chief engagement officer Melissa Fodo and chief strategy officer Jen Hruska. Most recently, Roan served as executive creative director at travel lifestyle brand Away. Previously, he was executive creative director at Lyft, one of McJ’s clients. Upham said, “We’re excited to attract a talent like Tim to join McJ and to bring him back to the... Read More 

LOS ANGELES -- London Alley has hired Sandy Haddad as executive producer. A 20-plus year industry vet, Haddad comes over from Chromista where she was a partner and executive producer. In her new role at London Alley, Haddad will work directly with commercial executive producer Matthew Kauth to further elevate the company and bring in new talent. Haddad spent the past 10 years at Chromista. Her work for The New York Times , 2K, Amazon Games, GrubHub and P&G has won assorted awards, including Cannes Gold... Read More 

Early on in "Top Gun: Maverick," Tom Cruise hops on his sleek motorcycle, wearing Aviator sunglasses and a leather jacket with patches, and speeds into a time machine. No, that's not right. It's actually us who take a trip back. More than 30 years after Cruise smirked his way to the cocky heights of the '80s as the maverick Navy pilot codenamed Maverick, he effortlessly picks up the character in a new chapter of "Top Gun" that is an absolutely, thoroughly enjoyable ride — a textbook example of... Read More 

The summer movie season is off to a blockbuster start thanks to " Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness." The superhero extravaganza grossed an estimated $185 million in ticket sales in its first weekend in U.S. and Canadian theaters, the Walt Disney Co. said Sunday. Not only did it more than double the opening of the first "Doctor Strange," which opened to $85 million in 2016, it's also the biggest opener of the year, ahead of "The Batman's" $134 million; the second biggest of the... Read More 

Everyone has a name--and from birth through a lifetime of introductions, it becomes the cornerstone of our identity. For many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), their given names carry an even deeper history and significance. But bias, indifference, and unintentional mistakes can lead to misidentification and mispronunciation. In line with its ongoing advocacy for equality and inclusion, Procter & Gamble has initiated a campaign to address this problem at a time when bias against... Read More 

In Taiwan, traditional values dictate that couples should start a “family” shortly after marrying--putting pressure on those who may have different ideas of what constitutes family or may struggle to conceive a child. Taiwanese real-estate company, Sinyi Realty, in partnership with dentsuMB Taiwan, is continuing to challenge the traditional perception of family while putting home ownership at the center of social issues in Taiwan: Titled In Love We Trust 2, this film reinforces that love and... Read More 

Created via agency Amazon XCM, directed by Lisa Gunning of Imperial Woodpecker, and edited by Union’s Andrea MacArthur, “Woman’s World--Mother’s Day” affirms what we have always known: this is indeed a woman’s world. Against the odds, the women of the all-female delivery stations of India blaze a trail for other women to follow. Owned by women, run by women, these stations provide a source of financial independence, once reserved only for the men of India. A clever assist by the James Brown... Read More 

Director Nina Holmgren’s latest work, “Move How You Want,” for Beats By Dre is set to Vince Staples’ track “Magic” from his newly released album. Produced by SMUGGLER for agency Translation, the film is an instinctual and movement-filled piece, crafted around the contagious energy of the one thing which moves us all--the beat. Set in and around visually heightened worlds, the piece celebrates the diversity of an entire culture unified by music. Both playful and momentous while rooted in... Read More 

Beyond Meat Jerky will launches its first-ever national advertising campaign, which inspires people to make an evolved and delicious choice in choosing plant-based jerky. “You’ve evolved. So should your snacks,” declares the campaign created by Beyond Meat Jerky and Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P). The campaign proudly touts the new snack as being marinated and slow roasted to deliver the delicious, tender bite of traditional beef jerky. “As we grow and learn, our tastes and how we... Read More 

Martin Werner directed this Fiat electric car spot, “The Driver,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, created by Leo Burnett Italy, and produced by Movie Magic. In this commercial we see a driver not wanting to get into the electric vehicle change his attitude once behind the wheel, opting to miss a turn and take the longer scenic route. Werner is repped in the U.S. by RESET Content. He is handled in Scandinavia by production house Bacon. Read More 

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