Backyard Productions has signed director Vic Huber for U.S. representation. Well-versed in all aspects of automotive production, Huber has shot and produced work for a wide range of brands including Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Ford.
Following an extensive career in commercial stills photography where he worked on high profile advertising campaigns including Charles Schwab, BMW, American Airlines and Northrup, Huber made the seamless transition to film productions. After falling in love with the possibilities afforded by the medium, Huber began vigorously pursuing commercial projects as both a cinematographer and later as a director. He has since worked alongside talented directors such as Pete Chatmon, Billy & Brett and Mouse McCoy who have helped hone his craft.
Huber recently landed a Mercedes-Benz USA project introducing the new generation C-Class to the U.S. market. He was tasked with creating a six-minute video brochure featuring the new vehicle, as well as a six-minute running footage reel. In addition, Huber captured a library of advertising-ready still photography assets for each of the three individual models on this project, incorporating his deep love for stills imagery into his motion production.
Keen to push his creative boundaries, Huber has also directed several documentary short films. Most recently, Gus Alva | Paradigm+++Mas has won acclaim at numerous film festivals, and has been chosen as an Official Selection for the 21st Annual Newport Beach Film Festival. Introducing the work of emerging Mexican American artist Gus Alva, the film illustrates how he draws his artistic inspiration from the South-Central Los Angeles neighborhood where he was born and raised.
Huber is currently in postproduction on his first narrative short film, Implied Consent, which he wrote and directed.
Huber said, “Having spent the last several years as a freelance director, I’ve come to really understand the importance of being a member of a strong roster and a solid company. I am really excited to be with the Backyard team. I feel everyone here understands me as a creative person and I know we will be working on exciting projects that will challenge me as a director. I can’t wait to see what we will produce together.”
Rich Schafler, Backyard’s head of sales, added, “Vic Huber is the perfect fit here at Backyard for many reasons, all equally important for us. At the core, Vic is one of the kindest, hardest working, and professional artists I’ve had the pleasure to work with. We pride ourselves on maintaining a roster of artists with real integrity and passion for their craft, and Vic is the personification of those traits. Additionally, Vic brings true versatility to the fold as a director, an accomplished cinematographer and an exceptional still photographer. I’ve had the good fortune of working with him a few years back when we worked on some amazing automotive and other high-level projects together.”
Schafler continued, “We value the relationships forged with our artists and take pride in their joining our production family. Over the past year we’ve been fortunate to attract high caliber directors to Backyard and as we move forward our aim is simply to work with like minded professionals; Vic nails it – his portfolio of work and expertise in the automotive and visual storytelling genres specifically address important categories in our offerings and are complementary to our roster and clients.”
Review: Director James Watkins’ “Speak No Evil”
Quick. Has there ever been a horror film set in a country home with a decent cell signal?
Nope, and there's no signal at Paddy and Ciara's house, either, deep in the English countryside. Soon, that land line will be cut, too, but we're getting ahead of ourselves.
Paddy and Ciara are that fun-but-somewhat-odd British couple whom Louise and Ben, early in "Speak No Evil," meet on their idyllic Tuscan family holiday. Americans based in London, Louise and Ben are at loose ends, with both job and relationship issues. And so, when the new acquaintances write to invite them for a country weekend, they decide to go.
After all, how bad could it be?
Don't answer that. There are many such moments in the first two-thirds of "Speak No Evil," a Hollywood remake of the 2022 Danish film, here starring a deeply menacing James McAvoy. Moments where Louise and Ben, out of mere politeness and social convention, act against their instincts, which tell them something is wrong – very wrong.
Director James Watkins and especially his excellent troupe of actors, adult and children alike, do a nice job of building the tension, slowly but surely. Until all bloody hell breaks loose, of course. And then, in its third act, "Speak No Evil" becomes an entertaining but routine horror flick, with predictable results.
But for a while, it's a way more intelligent film. And the jumpy moments work — I'll confess to literally springing out of my seat when someone uneventfully turned on a power drill.
We begin in stunning Tuscany, where Louise (Mackenzie Davis, in the film's most accessible and empathetic performance) and Ben (Scoot McNairy, all nerves and insecurity) are vacationing with 11-year-old daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler). At the pool, they... Read More