Director Niall O’Brien has joined Furlined for U.S. commercial representation. His ad credits span such brands as Nike, Adidas and Canon, as well as agencies including Droga5 and AMV BBDO.
Dublin-born, L.A.-based director and photographer O’Brien studied fine art photography at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, where he developed his naturalistic, voyeuristic approach to imagery, and subsequently documentary films. He has exhibited his images across the globe and has many awards to his name.
His latest photography project, a large exhibition entitled “Three Cities,” is a series of intuitive landscapes and portraits shot over four months in the Silicon Valley. As part of this deeply insightful portrayal of a place and its people, Niall created a short film/music video to the song “Wonderful World” by Solomon Grey. The film follows Blake and Dana through their daily lives, and illustrates their hope and resilience even in the darkest of situations. “Three Cities” opens in London later this month.
“I have been watching Niall’s work develop for a number of years,” said Ben Davies, EP/director of development at Furlined. “We worked together in my previous role at Droga5, and now we get to partner again at Furlined. I have no doubts Niall’s craft for passion, integrity and energy will lead to the highest level of success here in the U.S.”
O'Brien is represented in the U.K. by Academy Films. He was previously represented by Reset in the U.S., before signing with Furlined. He has been directing for eight years.
Music Biopics Get Creative At Toronto Film Festival
Many of the expected conventions of music biopics are present in "Piece by Piece," about the producer-turned-pop star Pharrell Williams, and "Better Man," about the British singer Robbie Williams. There's the young artist's urge to break through, fallow creative periods and regrettable chapters of fame-addled excess. But there are a few, little differences. In "Piece by Piece," Pharrell is a Lego. And in "Better Man," Williams is played by a CGI monkey. If the music biopic can sometimes feel a little stale in format, these two movies, both premiering this week at the Toronto International Film Festival, attempt novel remixes. In each film, each Williams recounts his life story as a narrator. But their on-screen selves aren't movie stars who studied to get a part just right, but computer-generated animations living out real superstar fantasies. While neither Williams has much in common as a musician, neither has had a very traditional career. Their films became reflections of their individuality, and, maybe, a way to distinguish themselves in the crowded field of music biopics like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Rocketman." "This is about being who you are, even if it's not something that can be put in a box," Pharrell said in an interview Tuesday alongside director Morgan Neville. Also next to Pharrell: A two-foot-tall Lego sculpture of himself, which was later in the day brought to the film's premiere and given its own seat in the crowd. The experience watching the crowd-pleasing "Piece by Piece," which Focus Features will release Oct. 11, can be pleasantly discombobulating. A wide spectrum of things you never expected to see in Lego form are animated. Virginia Beach (where Pharrell grew up). An album of Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life."... Read More