Industry News: Skyfall

Skyfall is the twenty-third James Bond film, produced by Eon Productions for MGM, Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition), the film features Daniel Craig’s third performance as James Bond 007. Judi Dench reprises her role as “M” for the seventh consecutive film. Craig has confirmed that the events of the film are not directly related to Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

Daniel Craig as British agent James Bond 007 in Mendes' 'Skyfall'

Industry News: Eiko Ishioka, 1938 – 2012

Prolific Designer Dies

Oscar-winning costume designer Eiko Ishioka died on January 21, 2012, in her hometown of Tokyo, Japan. Born on July 12, 1938, she was known for her work in stage, screen, advertising, and print media, and has been recognized Japan’s leading art director and graphic designer.

Ishioka’s awards include the 1985 Cannes Film Festival Award for Artistic Contribution for her production design of Paul Schrader’s film Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, a 1987 Grammy Award for the artwork for Miles Davis’ album Tutu, two 1988 Tony Award nominations for the stage and costume design of the Broadway play M. Butterfly, and a 1992 Academy Award for Best Costume Design for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Short Movie Big On Talent

Trailer In National Web Competition

There’s a lot of talent crammed in the trailer Stasis. Directed by Bowen Ellames with Corridor Films producers Sylvia Warmer and Jennifer Jones, it’s in the running for Movie Extra Webfest competition. Those who worked on it include talented 3D animator Andrew Kunzel, whose film credits include The Lord of the Rings – The Return of the King, I, Robot and King Kong. The key cast include Brendan Rock, Emily Branford, Nic English and Tom Russell, have had roles in Snowtown, Last Ride and television’s McLeod’s Daughters and Blue Heelers.

Look up Movie Extra Webfest via Facebook to vote. Link here.

And see the trailer below…

Short Film Focus: Wasp

The 2003 Oscar-winner, Wasp is a searing and intimate portrait of a single mother and her four children in modern-day Britain.

So you want to make movies, do you? Feature films? You’re “realistic” though at least: you don’t want to helm the latest super-hero franchise, but you’d prefer to be able to make small, personal films on modest budgets. You’d like to have idealistic producers and financiers dedicated to your vision and talent, and wouldn’t mind flattering write-ups in Filmmaker Mag and warm receptions at Sundance. Well then this is the type of short film you need to make.

Andrea Arnold is the young filmmaking treasure of the UK, a nation rich in filmic traditions, but notably insecure about its standing in the world cinema community. She has been held up as the emblematic icon of the country’s generous production grant system—funds from the UK Film Council in 2003 directly lead to the creation of this short film, the subsequent success of which won Arnold both Oscar and a sustainable filmmaking career. It is an older short film than we generally feature, but this week has earned Arnold quite a bit of talk as her third feature film, a controversial re-telling of Bronte’s Wuthering Heights (Heathcliff is black!), has caused a stir at the Venice film festival.

Hollywood Home Movies

These are a fantastic and nostalgic look at Hollywood; silent home movies of actors Natalie Wood, Jane Fonda and Hope Lange in 1965…

Apple CEO Steve Jobs Resigns

Apple’s Board of Directors today announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has named Tim Cook, previously Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, as the company’s new CEO. Jobs has been elected Chairman of the Board and Cook will join the Board, effective immediately.

“Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company,” said Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple’s Board. “Steve has made countless contributions to Apple’s success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple’s immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration.”

Film Design: Eiko Ishioka

Fantastical Costume Design

With the upcoming release of Tarsem Singh’s 3D action-adventure fantasy Immortals, I thought we’d take a look at the directors collaboaration with Oscar-winning costume designer Eiko Ishioka. For Immortals, Singh again collaborates with Ishioka just as they did for The Cell and The Fall to design the film’s costumes. Ishioka is well known for her work in stage, screen, advertising, and print media. She won a 1992 Academy Award for costume design for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Watch the trailer for Immortals…