Unique insights and actionable ideas from The Darnell Works Agency’s daily quest for greatness.
DWA principal Roger Darnell had the great honor of serving as a judge for the 2021 World Wildlife Day Film Showcase: Forests. “It is a wonderful feeling,” he said, “knowing that so many gifted storytellers and supporting organizations are dedicated to informing and educating the world on the importance of forests and conservation.”
Read moreExperience the 2021 World Wildlife Day Film Showcase on 3 March
To be perfectly honest, I didn’t know how much I needed this film in my life. Expertly directed and produced by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Seabiscuit”) Frank Marshall, “The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” is currently streaming on HBO Max. Chronicling the triumphs and hurdles of the phenomenal brothers Gibb, otherwise known as the Bee Gees, esteemed producers also include Nigel Sinclair, Jeanne Elfant Festa, and Mark Monroe.
I was only about five when Barry, Maurice and Robin had their first number one hit in the USA: “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.”
Read moreFrank Marshall: Thank you for the much-needed Bee Gees documentary
Looking back, April 7, 2008, was a very lucky day for me: That’s when I received a call from Tracy Chandler, who was the current executive producer for Shilo in NYC. Soon thereafter, we began a five-year collaboration that introduced me to scores of world-class talents. Chief among them was writer-director André Stringer, right alongside executive creative director Jose Sebastian Gomez.
About 10 years later, André wrote (along with Matt D’elia) and directed the amazing short film “The Attaché,” which has understandably earned a great deal of critical acclaim since its debut. From the film’s production details, here is a bit more about this extremely talented gentleman.
When you think about what music means in your life, isn’t it amazing to consider how essential it is in your emotional scrapbook? I grew up in the 70s and 80s; you can guarantee that whenever I witness a John Hughes movie on a screen, I’m going to pause and savor at least a minute or two immersed in his captivating audiovisual storytelling.
Read morePaul Dugdale, Thanks for the Spectacular Jeff Lynne, ELO Documentary
Award-winning Writer-Director Ben Strang’s “Beast: Chapter 1” debuts on Omeleto on 20 April.
Winner of the coveted SXSW Episodic Jury Prize, “Beast: Chapter 1” introduces teenage boy Daniel, who recruits a mysterious fisherman to learn more about his missing father. Eighteen minutes in length, this suspenseful short has already drawn widespread critical acclaim: Indiewire’s review compared Ben to Steven Spielberg, and his story to “Stranger Things.”
Read moreStream Ben Strang’s “Beast: Chapter 1” on Omeleto, starting 20 April
Brief Banner Film from the creative force, Juniper Jones.
Based in DUMBO on Brooklyn’s waterfront, Juniper Jones is the creative force dedicated to creating custom-tailored solutions.
LOS ANGELES – In January, documentary director Bing Liu won the Sundance Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Filmmaking on the strength of his feature documentary, “Minding the Gap.” Very soon thereafter, Nonfiction Unlimited signed Bing to its directorial roster for commercials and branded content. Since then, Bing and his film have continued racking up awards at major film festivals; notably, Bing was also selected for SHOOT Magazine’s prestigious New Directors Showcase for 2018.
With “Minding the Gap” set to premiere in select theaters across America and on Hulu on August 17, Nonfiction Unlimited partner/executive producer Loretta “LJ” Jeneski quizzed the rising director on some questions of special interest to the world of branded storytelling.
Last Updated June 20, 2016. Back on Sept. 27, 2009, Ken Burns and his colleagues began revealing the history and splendor of, and public passion for, America’s national parks. As you can see if you watch the videos in the embedded playlist, this six-part series by Burns and Dayton Duncan tells the story of a … Read moreAmerica’s national parks, part 5: Go!
Last updated June 10, 2016.
In September, 2009, a new PBS opus from filmmaker Ken Burns arrived in the form of a 12-hour documentary series entitled “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” This fascinating history of America’s national park system spans the pivotal era of 1851 to 1980; watching it over six consecutive nights, it affected me profoundly (just ask my family members and friends). Inspired by America’s glorious national parks, the film’s riveting, masterfully written and edited stories hooked me heart and soul. Dayton Duncan wrote and co-produced the series and co-wrote the Alfred A. Knopf companion book with Ken Burns, and he shares many memorable, inspirational contributions on screen, along with many other important interview subjects. Peter Coyote narrates, and my old friend Tom Hanks voices several central characters; you’ll also hear Adam Arkin, Philip Bosco, Kevin Conway, Andy Garcia, John Lithgow, Josh Lucas, Carolyn McCormick, Campbell Scott, George Takei, Eli Wallach and Sam Waterston. The complete DVD box set available from PBS Home Video features “making of” footage and an interview with Burns and others involved in the film.
Just before the film’s debut, Mike Hale wrote these words about it for The New York Times: In what feels very much like a thesis statement near the end of the 12 hours, an American Indian park superintendent says: “America is not sidewalks. America is not stores. America is not video games. America is not restaurants.”
Read moreKen Burns, Dayton Duncan and PBS: Thanks for the documentary
