PARK PICTURES FEATURE “ROBOT & FRANK”, WHICH PREMIERED AT SUNDANCE TO RAVE REVIEWS, LANDS MAJOR DISTIBUTION DEAL WITH SPWA/SGF
Jackie Kelman Bisbee and Lance Acord, producers and partners in Park Pictures, together with producers Sam Bisbee and Galt Niederhoffer, announce the company’s first feature Robot & Frank has been picked up by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) and Samuel Goldwyn Films for North American Distribution. The dramatic comedy, which premiered to rave reviews at Sundance 2012, marks the feature debut of Park Pictures’ director Jake Schreier and the first feature out of Park Pictures’ feature film division.
Today, Robot & Frank was awarded the The Alfred P. Sloan Prize at Sundance 2012. The award, given each year to a film at the Sundance Film Festival, honors a feature film that focuses on science or technology as a theme, or depicts a scientist, engineer, or mathematician as a major character. Each winner is presented with a $20,000 cash award provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
The studio released the following statement about the $2 million+ acquisition: “We have loved this project from the script stage and were at the very first Gala screening in Salt Lake City,” Joe Matukewicz, SPWA Senior Vice President of Acquisitions said. “This winning film strikes a special chord with audiences, and we are delighted to bring ROBOT & FRANK into the Sony Pictures family. Jake’s film shows us a future that is right around the corner, and I for one, can’t wait for my own Robot!”
The film follows aging curmudgeon, Frank (Frank Langella), a confused loner who regularly visits librarian Jennifer (Susan Sarandon.) Frank’s grown-up kids (James Marsden, Liv Tyler) install a caretaker robot to care for their dad and an unlikely friendship begins.
Near-Unanimous Critical Acclaim
Kudos for the film poured in immediately after its January 21st Sundance premiere, including praise from Esquire, Variety, Wired and The Hollywood Reporter, among many others. Said Entertainment Weekly critic Owen Gleiberman, “Langella brings the film a gruff magic… it delighted and touched me.”
Kelman Bisbee and Acord’s Park Pictures is one of the city’s most prestigious commercial production houses, having won numerous Clios, AICP awards, and Cannes Lions, and worked regularly with blue chip corporations including Nike, Target, and Coca-Cola. Acord, who directed the beloved and widely seen “The Force” Super Bowl spot for Volkswagen, was the Director of Photography for “Lost In Translation,” “Where the Wild Things Are,” and “Being John Malkovich.”
Park Pictures Features producer Galt Niederhoffer previously brought eight films to Sundance, with seven of the films winning awards at the festival including Best Director, Best Cinematographer, the Audience Award, and Best Screenplay. Sam Bisbee produced Oscar-winning live action short film “The New Tenants” in 2010 and has four screenplays in development.
###
NORTHERN LIGHTS’ GLENN CONTE MAKES SAMMY ADAMS’ WORLD ‘BLOW UP’
New York-based post boutique Northern Lights editor Glenn Conte teams up with director Nathan Crooker to break through the white noise of young hip hop artists in the catchy 3:05 music video “Blow Up” for Sammy Adams out of RCA Records. The video, shot in Boston, Massachusetts, shows Sammy walking the streets of his city with his entourage and hosting an epic underground house party. A single off the 24 year-old’s upcoming major-label debut, the video has had massive viral success, taking in over 600,000 views since posting on December 23, 2011. He made his nationwide television debut on January 18th performing the track on Conan on TBS.
Conte worked closely with Crooker to align with his vision for the video. He notes, “Nathan’s idea to attach a camera rig to the artist as he travels through scenes gave the video an interesting look and style. I used an editorial style that complemented Nathan’s vision—I didn’t want it to be gimmicky, just wanted to keep it real.”
“Blow Up” opens on an angry chef barking orders at Sammy in the kitchen at his burger-flipping job. We cut to Sammy walking away, waving the chef away with a casual delivery of his middle finger as he begins the track. He saunters through the streets of Boston with the casual lyrics, “I’ve been workin’ all night man/ What’s a young kid gotta do to blow up/ This life’s becoming somethin’ I can’t stand/ Tell those people go home I don’t wanna grow up.” He joins up with a group of friends, picking up others as they move through the city, leading them all to an epic house party. The solo-cup driven fun mounts as he gets the crowd pumped with a live living room performance. The party rages on, friends joining in with the lyrics with the video ending on Sammy diving into the gathered crowd at the song’s ending.
About Northern Lights
Northern Lights is a thriving bi-coastal (NY/LA) post production boutique featuring filmmakers and visual artists with a passion for telling stories.
From Promax and Emmy-winning TV branding to commercials, film and Internet content, Northern Lights has been a destination for original ideas since 1995.
The company’s award-winning talent is continually creating new ways to interpret footage for all modern delivery platforms. Their unmatched ability to shape ideas into focused content for brands is fed by a creative environment that fosters trying new things and taking risks.
Northern Lights teams up with sister companies Mr. Wonderful for design, www.mrwonderful.tv, SuperExploder,www.superexploder.com, for composing and audio post, and Bodega, www.bodegastudios.com, for creative assignments and production. Working together, they’re a powerful one-stop resource that tailors their offerings to each individual client and filmmaker’s needs.
Credits:
Record Label: RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Artist: Sammy Adams
Title: “Blow Up”
Director: Nathan Crooker
Production Company: Crooker Enterprises (Repped by Tangerine Films)
Producer: Jeremy Sullivan
Post Production: Northern Lights
Editor: Glenn Conte
EP: Robin Hall
Color Correction: Katabatic Digital
Colorist: Emory Wells
MARTA STAJEK JOINS NORTHERN LIGHTS, MR. WONDERFUL & BODEGA
New York-based post boutique Northern Lights, along with sister companies Bodega, Mr. Wonderful, and SuperExploder add Marta Stajek as Director of Business & Operations. Stajek joins the team following freelance work as a Senior Content Business Manager and Director of Business Affairs after stepping down from her post as VP/Director, Business Affairs at Digitas, where she worked for over four years. She will be responsible for overseeing all business affairs as well as maintain the overall operations of the multifaceted facility.
“As we continue to grow, I am thrilled to welcome Marta to our team. Her experience will be invaluable as we take our business to the next level”, says Northern Lights partner Mark Littman.
Stajek adds, “I understand the business behind production and editorial and am excited to work on the side that makes it all happen. I am surrounded here with incredibly creative people!”
New Jersey-native Stajek earned a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism at New York University, sparking her interest in both the production and business sides of the industry. She began her career at CBS, working as a Commercial Coordinator and Regional Sales Coordinator. She then spent a few years working as a Senior Program Coordinator at All American Television, before entering into the advertising world as a Traffic Manager at Grey Advertising. In 1999, Stajek came on board at Ogilvy & Mather, beginning as Business Manager and eventually working her way up to Partner and Business Director by the end of her 8 year stint. While there, she controlled all business operations and finances for the in-house broadcast production studio Eye Patch. From Ogilvy, Stajek moved onto Digitas where she spent over four years working as a VP/Director, Business Affairs where she managed all business affairs including legal clearances and talent negotiation. Stajak currently resides in New Jersey with her husband and her dog Maximus. She spends her time estate sale hunting for artwork, cooking and traveling.
About Northern Lights
Northern Lights is a thriving bi-coastal (NY/LA) post production boutique featuring filmmakers and visual artists with a passion for telling stories.
From Promax and Emmy-winning TV branding to commercials, film and Internet content, Northern Lights has been a destination for original ideas since 1995.
The company’s award-winning talent is continually creating new ways to interpret footage for all modern delivery platforms. Their unmatched ability to shape ideas into focused content for brands is fed by a creative environment that fosters trying new things and taking risks.
Northern Lights teams up with sister companies Mr. Wonderful for design, www.mrwonderful.tv, SuperExploder, www.superexploder.com, for composing and audio post, and Bodega, www.bodegastudios.com, for creative assignments and production. Working together, they’re a powerful one-stop resource that tailors their offerings to each individual client and filmmaker’s needs.
###
RECOMMENDED MEDIA’S ANDY RED RECEIVES MOBIUS AWARD FOR RECORD-BREAKING DIRT DEVIL SPOT
Los Angeles-based Recommended Media director Andreas Roth (a.k.a. Andy Red) has been honored with a 2011 “Best in Show” Mobius Award in New Media for the horrifying :90 “The Exorcist” for Dirt Devil. This marks the eighth win amongst the 11 nominations in international advertising shows for the virally popular spot. This includes honors from the prestigious Saatchi & Saatchi New Director Showcase in Cannes.
Shot as a student film project, Roth directed the mock ad and ‘The Exorcist’ has received global advertising industry recognition. The clever Dirt Devil film has taken in almost 30 million hits on YouTube, Vimeo and other online video hubs, making it the world’s fifth most popular online film of 2011.
About Recommended Media
Recommended Media is a commercial and new media resource committed to supporting the finest filmmakers and digital artists worldwide. Bringing together three executives with distinguished track records for launching some of the industry’s premier talent, production experts Stephen Dickstein, Phillip Detchmendy and Jeff Rohrer collaborate with clients to produce award-winning, internationally recognized work. The Recommended team aims to make each and every project exceptional.
BRW USA DIRECTOR MARK PALANSKY LIBERATES FIAT
Newly-signed BRW USA, Los Angeles helmer Mark Palansky tears ‘huddled masses’ from the mundane in an artful new :60, “Your Liberation” for Fiat our of GlobalHue, Detroit. The spot, which premiered at the L.A. Auto Show, features people far and wide embracing their dynamic individualism. “Your Liberation” is Palansky’s first-ever commercial, coming to the spot world from features that include Penelope (Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Reese Witherspoon). The soit recently debuted during last Sunday’s Golden Globes.
“Your Liberation” opens on a man waking in bed, followed by the man feeding an infant morning milk. A voiceover begins, reciting a revised version of the famed sonnet mounted inside the Statue of Liberty, “The New Colossus,” “Give me your tired, your fed up, your bored to death huddled masses.” We see shots of people at work, parties and even locked inside a computer, sleepwalking through life. The voiceover continues, “Yearning to breath free, yearning to break free. Yearning for so much more.” We smash-cut to shot of a Fiat 500 racing though the city and countryside. More voiceover declares, “Give me your new days full of promise and hope and new possibilities. Days faraway from the bonds of sameness… give me your liberation and I will return the favor.” Invigorated people painting, office cubicles covered in forest wallpaper and Fiat passengers flying kites from the 500 follow. The Fiat logo and tag “Simply more” close out the spot.
About BRW USA, BRW FILMLAND AND INDEPENDENT
BRW USA is a creative content production company founded by Andrew Traines, Gianfilippo Pedrotti, Michele Nocchi and Marco Bussinello. The L.A.-based shop is home to a team of seasoned producers and A-list directing, design, VFX and interactive talent. The diverse collective offers integrated creative solutions for agencies, brands and the entertainment industry. With its sister companies Independent, London and BRW FILMLAND Milano, BRW USA has a reach that extends to Europe, South America and beyond. BRW USA is able to employ top talent from around the world to ensure the finest work at the most cost-effective price.
Established in 1974 as BRW & Partners, BRW was the first commercial production company in Italy to work with only the best American and British directors, and quickly became one of the most award-winning production houses in Europe. Currently run by Marco Bussinello, the company changed its name in 2009 giving birth to BRW FILMLAND.
INDEPENDENT (LONDON), headed by Jani Guest, is recognized as one of the UK’s top production companies with a wide array of top-tier talent in both live action and animation.
Credits:
Client: Fiat
CEO & President: Olivier Francois
VP/Group Account Director: Casey Hubris
Title: “Your Liberation” :60
Airdate: Currently Airing
Agency: GlobalHue, Detroit
SVP/Group Account Director: Carlos Munoz
EVP/Executive Creative Director: Vida Cornelious
VP/Executive Producer: Cathy Antoniello
Account Executive: Andres P. Calvachi
Production Company: BRW USA, LA
Director: Mark Palansky
Executive Producer: Gianfillippo Pedrotti
Producer: Ari Weiner
Editorial: STS-Griot Editorial, Ferndale, MI
ALIVE AND WELL IS NOW RECOMMENDED
Alive & Well Entertainment has re-branded as Recommended Media, upon the addition of globally heralded directorial talent, new Partner/Executive Producer Jeff Rohrer (former head of commercials at Bandito Brothers) and an exciting partnership with digital hot shop Fake Love.
Along with the new name, original partners, Stephen Dickstein and Phillip Detchmendy announce a series of significant developments in the company’s profile and offerings. Says Dickstein, the talent guru behind many a successful directing talent, “We are pleased to be nimble enough to make dramatic moves with such fantastic talent, and to join with a great new partner, to form a company designed to be highly regarded amongst top creatives and top agencies.”
Fake Love, the digital arm of Recommended Media, has taken off in the past couple months, with unique and large scale alternative media and design projects for global brands like Coca-Cola, Google, Bacardi and others. Additionally, an association with one of the world’s most awarded companies, Velocity Films out of South Africa, brings commercials directors Keith Rose, Greg Gray and Adrian De Sa Garces to the new roster. Velocity has held a top 10 position in the Palme d’Or standings at Cannes for two years running and was included in the Top 20 Production Houses in the Gunn report. According to Barry Munchick, Executive Producer and Co-Founder of Velocity, “The partnership between Velocity and Recommended Media is a good fit. Stephen ‘gets’ the biz and we share the same focus on conceptually biased storytelling.” Barry adds, ” I have known Phillip for years and we have ridden some hair-raising bike rides together through the French Alps. I trust them both implicitly.”
Also joining the roster are British-born and much sought-after director Peter Rodger, top automotive stills and motion photographer/director Vic Huber and two-time Emmy nominee Matt Goodman.
The existing Recommended roster includes Cannes award-winning, Canadian director Chris Woods, Designer /Director Henry Hobson, who has not only cut his teeth with his first commercial directing work, but has been tapped to helm a much-anticipated live action feature next summer. Director Alex Feil recently completed a Honda project out of RPA. Additionally, new work from Eric Hillenbrand and Hadi will complement the achievement of young phenomenon, Andreas Roth, whose Film Academie spot, “The Exorcist” for Dirt Devil took home just about every new director honor in 2011, and attracted over 30 million views online.
Long time producer and friend of Dickstein’s and Detchmendy’s, partner Jeff Rohrer, rounds out the Recommended Media team. A local boy from Manhattan Beach made good, Rohrer attended Yale University, where he was considered a star football player. Upon graduation, he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, playing linebacker under legendary coach Tom Landry. When his athletic career ended, Rohrer got involved in film production, first working for Joe Pytka.
Rohrer and Dickstein met at Propaganda Films where Rohrer produced for Propaganda Independent. Rohrer traveled the world, fostering tight bonds with A-list directing talent such as Cuaron, Limon, Hallestrom, and has also produced for Mann, Bay, Beletic, Frankham, Tardio and many other well known talents. Rohrer was one of the first producers to work for Brian Carmody and Patrick Milling Smith in the early days of Smuggler and produced there for many years. During this time Rohrer built an enormous following of friends at ad agencies.
Recommended is enthusiastic about the three Los Angeles-based directors joining. Rohrer notes, “This group of directors are some of the most talented and nicest guys I have had the good fortune of working with… The work speaks much better for itself than I could ever express, so I encourage a look at the website.”
‘The roster moves we managed completely support the original goals of doing top work in commercials, branded content, web films, and digital,” says Detchmendy. “We had no idea just how attractive our proposition would be. This is really exciting for all of us involved at every level, even Emmy award winning TV director, Phil Abraham, and young feature director, Aaron Salgado, promise to give us time from their busy schedules this coming year!”
Of the name, Dickstein notes, “We like being ‘Recommended.’… In the explosive world of media proliferation, being ‘recommended’ has never been a more esteemed marketing proposition”. Notes Rohrer, “At the end of the day, it is about the talent and we plan to bolster this brand on trust. We work very closely with our directors and have both their careers and our agency partners’ interests always top of mind.”
About Recommended Media
Recommended Media is a commercials and new media resource committed to supporting the finest filmmakers and digital artists worldwide. Bringing together three executives with distinguished track records for launching some of the industry’s premier talent, production experts Stephen Dickstein, Phillip Detchmendy and Jeff collaborate with clients to produce award winning, internationally recognized work. The Recommended teams aims to make each and every project exceptional.
Wes Anderson, repped for spots by Moxie Pictures, releases ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ trailer, fueling anticipation for Anderson fans
As this morning’s Washington Post points out, “Anderson is one of a handful of directors for whom we consider the release of a new trailer to be a capital-E Event, eagerly anticipated and just as eagerly dissected.” Anderson is represented for commercials by Moxie Pictures. His co-writer on Moonrise Kingdom, Roman Coppola, co-directed a spot with Anderson through Moxie in 2010. “Le Apartomatic” for Stella Artois became a cult favorite and multiple award winner.
GREEN DOT FILMS’ SCHURGERS AND THERAPY TRIUMPH AGAINST ALL ODDS FOR PARALYMPICS
Los Angeles-based Green Dot Films director Luc Schurgers and West LA editorial shop Therapy soar beyond the call of Olympic athleticism in the inspirational new :30 “Words – Own Your Life” for the U.S. Paralympics out of Ignited, bicoastal. 
The spot features U.S. Paralympics athlete and U.S. Navy reservist Mike Johnston taking a nighttime sprint on an abandoned track, fiercely pushing his own pace, despite the obstacle of his prosthetic leg.
Therapy editor Doobie White edited the spot, which was directed by Luc Schurgers of Green Dot Films. Schurger’s digital & post production studio MiniVegas handled the visual effects for this project. Working closely with Ignited, Schurgers was able to evolve the concept as the project moved forward. Shooting high-speed movement in low lighting conditions, he chose to shoot on 35mm for the spot, giving him greater latitude for his work on the VFX. He notes, “Working with Mike Johnston was very inspiring. It was amazing to see how fast he could actually run. Every crew member who was challenged to a race quickly fell behind!” White adds, “Luc had a grasp of what he wanted the spot to be, so the process was relatively easy. We worked carefully to maintain the intensity of the spot, while still giving the viewer enough time to read the words.”
“Words – Own Your Life” opens on shots of Mike Johnston stepping out on the track, warming up and preparing for his evening training session. He gathers his focus, takes a breath and adjusts his foot into the starter block. He turns his gaze up in determination and begins his sprint with the utmost focus. We see that Johnston is no ordinary athlete as we cut to a shot of his amputated leg supported by the word “Passion” in place of where his prosthetic leg normally exists. We see him careen forward at full speed, treading evenly on both real and false limb alike as we see his leg morph to read, “Power.” The shot of his moving legs slows along with the super, “Strength,” which suddenly shatters, revealing his real-life prosthetic leg. Johnston moves out of the screen as we see the super, “Own your life, “ along with the voiceover, “You already have everything it takes to own your life.” The spot closes with the USA Paralympics and Department of Veteran Affairs logos followed by the super, “Find your sport. USParalympics.org.”
About Green Dot Films
Green Dot Films consistently produces exceptional commercial work and has been building trusted agency relationships since its inception in 1996. With a focus on cultivating the talent of their directors, the team has won over even the most top tier of repeat agency clients. Hosting a diverse roster combining veterans with fresh new faces, Green Dot brings top industry talent in spots, features, stills and animation. Green Dot Films is readily able to handle any sized project with the utmost care and creativity. Green Dot’s core executive team is lead by owners Jane & Brent Thomas, CFO Beth Clark, Executive Producers Darren Foldes & Rich Pring. Green Dot Films 2011 directing roster: Rebecca Baehler, Omri Cohen, Mark Coppos, Richard Farmer (formerly of the directing team HAPPY), Rafael Fernandez, Jacobsbriere, Robert Jitzmark, Luc Schurgers (founder of MiniVegas), Brent Thomas and Claire Thomas.
http://www.greendotfilms.com/
About Therapy
Amidst the anxiety and occasional insanity of commercial, feature, music video, and interactive projects, Therapy Studios offers refuge. Led by founders Joe DiSanto, John Ramsey, Wren Waters and Doobie White, the award-winning team is constantly achieving breakthroughs in creative editorial and post-production for clients like Playstation, Chrysler, Sony, Wells Fargo, Activision, PBS, and KIA. Housed in a calming, state-of-the-art West LA space, Therapy features custom-built editorial, finishing, design, audio, and color grading suites. www.youneedtherapy.tv
Credits:
Client: U.S. Paralympics
Title: “Words – Own Your Life”
Agency: Ignited
VP/Group Creative Director: Troy Scarlott
Creative Director: Karin Djelaj
Art Director: Brian Engleman
Copywriter: Marcela Angeles-Macedo
Executive Producer: Diego Espana
Production Coordinator: Mike Dobbs
Account Director: John Carlisle
Production Company: Green Dot Films
Director: Luc Schurgers
DP: Tom Camarda
Executive Producer: Darren Foldes
Executive Producer: Rich Pring
Producer: Joe Mandarino
Visual Effects: MiniVegas
Creative Director: Luc Schurgers
Managing Director: Maarten Boon
3D Artist/Animator: Roben Schlikker
3D Artist/Animator: Klaas-Harm de Boer
Compositor/Online Operator: David Zaretti
Editorial: Therapy
Editor: Doobie White
Executive Producer: Joe DiSanto
Executive Producer: John Ramsay
Music & Sound Design: Massive Music
Composer / Sound Design: Jon DeStefano
Creative Director: Chris Campanaro
Head of Production: Jessica Entner
###
Pony Show’s Peter Berg Directs Rihanna’s Much Anticipated First Film, Summer 2012 Blockbuster ‘Battleship’
In this behind the scenes glimpse of Rihanna’s first film performance, she recounts the real female Navy officer who helped her create her character, Raikes, in the film. 
“My character…is a weapons officer who is not afraid of anything. She loves weapons, she knows them.” Her true life Navy collaborator advised the actress on everything from military lingo to weapons handling to military postures like standing at ease, attention and saluting.
“She’s fearless, she’s one of the boys,” Rihanna notes. “It was really fun just to explore that mind set.”
