Nexus Studios has appointed Alex Jenkins and Deborah Casswell as executive creative directors of its immersive department.
Jenkins and Casswell will have oversight of creative across the company’s immersive output in London and Los Angeles. The studio, alongside its film, TV and branded content fare, is known for innovative work creating award-winning experiences for the likes of Google, Marvel, Niantic and creative collaborations including Childish Gambino, CERN and artist JR.
During her time as creative director at Nexus Studios, Casswell has collaborated with leading brands. Projects include a storytelling installation at the World Economic Forum celebrating the positive ways Google Cloud AI is being used to serve communities, a poignant game for UNICEF designed to teach children about their human rights, and a meaningful Metaverse for VR that is still in the works. She will continue to lead R&D projects in eyewear and the Metaverse that explore ways to bring true value to people’s lives. Prior to joining Nexus Studios, Casswell was creative director at Media Arts Lab. She is also a founding partner of the ADCAN awards, and an experienced speaker in the creative circle championing immersive technology for purpose-driven content.
Jenkins’ passion for interactive storytelling ensures he places the protagonist and their motivations at the center of every experience, whether that be character or user. Bringing an exceptional level of craft and detail to every brief he meets, he takes a holistic approach to projects ensuring every experience has meaning and contextual value. His work is always carefully considered and informed by his multidisciplinary background in graphic design, illustration and character animation. During his time at Nexus he has led some of our most pioneering interactive pieces, including the BAFTA-nominated collaboration with Google Arts & Culture telling the story of the birth and evolution of the universe, delivered Marvel’s first AR experience for The Eternals, creating a regenerating coral reef to highlight the plight of the world’s oceans and turning a UNESCO world-heritage site into a virtual playground where visitors interact with members of the Joseon Dynasty. Jenkins has also received industry recognition from Cannes Lions, The One Show, The Webby’s and The Art Directors Club, amongst others.
Chris O’Reilly, co-founder and chief creative officer of Nexus Studios, said, “In Alex and Deborah we’ve found two creative minds who combine a passion for great conceptual thinking and thoughtful, quality design. They are incredibly knowledgeable in interaction and immersive tech but they want to make the work that moves beyond novelty and emotionally changes people. That’s very much in keeping with Nexus’ ethos and the previous work we are most proud of. We’re excited to have their incredible combined energy and brilliance to guide the immersive team.”
DOC NYC Unveils Main Slate Lineup: 31 World Premieres; 24 Films Making Their U.S. Debut
DOC NYC--the documentary festival celebrating its 15th anniversary in-person November 13-21 at IFC Center, SVA Theatre and Village East by Angelika, and continuing online through December 1--has unveiled its main slate lineup. The 2024 festival presents more than 110 feature-length documentaries (including yet-to-be-announced Short List and Winner’s Circle titles) among over 200 films and dozens of events, with filmmakers expected in person at most screenings.
Opening the festival on Nov. 13 at SVA Theater will be the U.S. premiere of Sinead O’Shea’s inspiring portrait Blue Road--The Edna O’Brien Story, a breakout hit from the recent Toronto International Film Festival that honors the legendary Irish writer, who passed away just a few months ago at the age of 93.
Closing the festival on Nov. 21, also at SVA Theatre, will be the world premiere of Peter Yost and Michael Rohatyn’s Drop Dead City--New York on the Brink in 1975, a look back at the circumstances and players involved in NYC’s mid-70s financial crisis. The festival’s Centerpiece screening on Nov. 14 at Village East is the World premiere of Ondi Timoner’s All God’s Children (also part of the festival’s U.S. Competition), a chronicle of a Brooklyn rabbi and Baptist pastor who join forces to create greater unity between their two communities, against all odds.
Included are 31 world premieres and 24 U.S. premieres, with eight of those presented in the U.S. Competition, for new American-produced nonfiction films, and another eight featured in International Competition, for work from around the globe. The Kaleidoscope Competition for new essayistic and formally adventurous documentaries continues, while the festival’s long-standing Metropolis... Read More