Creative studio and production company SixTwentySix has signed Iranian-American director Arrad for exclusive representation spanning commercials and music videos.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Arrad has been professionally directing and producing videos since the age of 17 for stars including Tyga, Nicki Minaj, Anitta, Missy Elliott, The Kid LAROI, Jhene Aiko, Latto, Marshmello, Lil Wayne, and J Balvin. Arrad is a two-time back-to-back VMA nominee for “Best Hip-Hop” video for Polo G’s “Rapstar” and Latto’s “Big Energy,” as well as garnering a win for GRM Daily’s Video of the Year for Aitch x AJ Tracey’s “Rain.”
Captivating and bold in the way he shapes a project’s narrative or storyline, Arrad–who had most recently been with Riveting Entertainment–has amassed a standout body of work that encapsulates and exhibits an extremely photographic, editorial style. Arrad prioritizes making sure the talent he works with feels good about themselves and the way they look. Ensuring every bit of detail is fastidiously arranged towards how their appearance on camera is enriched helps yield the vibrant, alluring brand of work he produces.
“Off the bat, SixTwentySix felt right because their goals are very aligned with my own, and we all have our fingers on the pulse of today’s zeitgeist,” said Arrad. “They remind me of myself–determined, relentless, and yearning to be the best in our field.”
Jake Krask, SixTwentySix partner and managing director, said, “Arrad brings high concept, highly technical creativity that allows a breath of fresh air to every project.”
“You cannot miss his polished cinematic style and extravagant production design,” added Austin Barbera, SixTwentySix partner and executive producer. “As we continue to grow as a creative studio, Arrad felt like an essential and natural addition to the roster.”
One of Arrad’s personal projects currently in postproduction is a powerful visual about the ongoing women’s freedom rights and humanitarian crisis in Iran. The short film, featuring an original piece of spoken word written by Arrad himself, is in response to the protests currently occurring sparked by the tragic and unspeakable death of 22-year old Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, after the country’s morality police arrested her for not wearing the hijab properly. Arrad’s piece will feature a full female cast and notable Iranian talents, shining a more intense light on the present injustice happening to Iranian women every day of their lives and the indescribable brutality they are presently facing from government authorities. In 2023, Arrad will also have a major project debuting for a leading OTT network platform.
Review: Director-Writer Megan Park’s “My Old Ass”
They say tripping on psychedelic mushrooms triggers hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia and nervousness. In the case of Elliott, an 18-year-old restless Canadian, they prompt a visitor.
"Dude, I'm you," says the guest, as she nonchalantly burns a 'smores on a campfire next to a very high and stunned Elliott. "Well, I'm a 39-year-old you. What's up?"
What's up, indeed: Director-writer Megan Park has crafted a wistful coming-of-age tale using this comedic device for "My Old Ass" and the results are uneven even though she nails the landing.
After the older Elliott proves who she is — they share a particular scar, childhood memories and a smaller left boob — the time-travel advice begins: Be nice to your brothers and mom, and stay away from a guy named Chad.
"Can we hug?" asks the older Elliott. They do. "This is so weird," says the younger Elliott, who then makes things even weirder when she asks for a kiss — to know what it's like kissing yourself. The older Elliott soon puts her number into the younger's phone under the name "My Old Ass." Then they keep in touch, long after the effects of the 'shrooms have gone.
Part of the movie's problem that can't be ignored is that the two Elliotts look nothing alike. Maisy Stella plays the coltish young version and a wry Aubrey Plaza the older. Both turn in fine performances but the visuals are slowly grating.
The arrival of the older Elliott coincides with her younger self counting down the days until she can flee from her small town of 300 in the Muskoka Lakes region to college in Toronto, where "my life is about to start." She's sick of life on a cranberry farm.
Park's scenes and dialogue are unrushed and honest as Elliott takes her older self's advice and tries to repair... Read More