New York-based GL-X, a division of Grand Large Inc., has signed director Tobias Perse, formerly of Paranoid US, for exclusive representation in TV commercials, viral campaigns and music videos. Perse’s latest work includes a series of comical commercials for Bodog, an online entertainment and gambling site. His feature-length documentary, Persons of Interest, covering the governmental detainment of Arab and Muslim immigrants post the September 11th terrorist attacks, was selected for competition at both the Sundance and Rotterdam film festivals and won the Amnesty International Humanitarian Film Award. Perse has also directed campaigns for Intel and Air Berlin….Director Danny J. Boyle, formerly of Motiv Films, Los Angeles, and executive producer Jeff Maier, who had been a senior producer at Draftfcb, Irvine, Calif., have joined Santa Monica, Calif.-based Socket Films….Los Angeles-based Hello & Co. has expanded its music videos division with a newly inked deal for Academy@Hello! to produce all stateside projects for the music video directors at London-based Academy Films. Reciprocally, Academy will produce HELLO! directors’ music video work in the U.K. The first project under the alliance is Academy director Jonathan Glazer’s new music video for The Dead Weather track, “Treat Me Like Your Mother,” which premiered on July 11 during the TV premiere of the feature film Wanted on Cinemax. The video features a violent showdown between The Dead Weather lead singers Jack White and Alison Mosshart, and was produced in the U.S. by Academy@Hello! The Academy@Hello directorial roster includes Glazer, Walter Stern, Corin Hardy, Brothers Quay, Kim Gehrig, Lynne Ramsey, Martin De Thurah, Nick Gordon, Si&Ad and Tom Haines….Anthony Nelson, formerly senior integrated producer at Crispin Porter + Bogusky (CP+B), has joined integrated producton company Superfad (New York, Culver City, Calif., and Seattle) as executive director. At CP+B, Nelson spearheaded projects for such clients as Microsoft, Volkswagen, Guitar Hero, Burger King, Geek Squad and Dominos….U.K. visual effects/post house Golden Square has hired producer Steph Thompson who brings to the company industry experience spanning the ad agency, production and post arenas. Thompson started her career at The Moving Picture Company, London, in 1993 and left in ’95 to become a production assistant for Lowe Howard Spink where she worked for two years on brands ranging from Stella Artois to Tesco. In ’97 she became a TV producer at JWT Sydney. Upon returning to the U.K. in ’98, she went to Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe until ’01 when she began freelancing for agencies such as BBH, Fallon and VCCP, working on major jobs including the launch TV campaign for Coca Cola Zero. Thompson’s most recent position was as head of sales for Feel Films….
Peter Jackson Receives Honorary Palme D’Or As Cannes Boasts Star Power Despite Hollywood’s Retreat
The 79th Cannes Film Festival opened on Tuesday with politics, artificial intelligence and the shifting priorities of Hollywood taking center stage at the global film gathering on the French Riviera. The festival launched with a tribute to director Peter Jackson, handing the "Lord of the Rings" filmmaker an honorary Palme d'Or. He was introduced by actor Elijah Wood, who played Frodo Baggins in Jackson's fantasy franchise, one of many notable faces on the Cannes red carpet, including Bong Joon Ho, Joan Collins, Heidi Klum and James Franco. "I've never figured out why I'm getting a Palme d'Or. I'm not a Palme d'Or sorta guy," said the shaggy haired New Zealand filmmaker. Jackson was then serenaded with a rendition of the song "Get Back," a nod to his lauded 2021 documentary about The Beatles. The director sat stage right mouthing the lyrics. Jane Fonda and the Chinese-Singaporean star Gong Li officially opened the festival, with Fonda declaring: "Cinema has always been an act of resistance." It was a fitting observation for a film festival that has already seen politics take center stage. At the introduction of the jury that will decide the Palme d'Or, Cannes' top honor, jury members spoke bluntly about holding a film festival during a time of geopolitical conflict. The Palme d'Or jury weighs politics in film Paul Laverty, the Scottish screenwriter known for his films with director Ken Loach, pointed toward this year's Cannes poster, of "Thelma and Louise," while discussing attending Cannes during what he called "genocide in Gaza." Quoting "King Lear," he said: "Madmen lead the blind." "Cannes has a wonderful poster," said Laverty. "Isn't it fascinating to see some of them like Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo... Read More