Unique insights and actionable ideas from The Darnell Works Agency’s daily quest for greatness.
Read moreVisual Timeline and PR Case Study: Extended Reality Group
My deep appreciation for the talents of acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Sam Jones are well-documented in this site. To be honest, for any subject Sam chooses to make a film about, I will be on the edge of my seat. As you may have heard, Sam’s new HBO documentary, “Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off” premieres tonight on HBO Max.
Read moreSam Jones and friends: Thank you for the spectacular Tony Hawk documentary
That is the scene writer-director Josh Swade and his collaborators plunge us straight into, turning deep admiration and their all-seeing camera toward the world famous Ricky Powell, who lived that feverish dream until leaving us a year ago today at the age of 59. On film,
Read moreJosh Swade and Friends, Thanks for the Inspiring Ricky Powell Documentary
Read moreVisual Timeline and PR Case Study: Universal Studios Florida Production Group
For American high school students of the mid-80s, “cable” and MTV radically impacted our perceptions of the world – and of the realm of possibilities. Driven, determined, ambitious, and male, my own dreams of success (focused in aerospace – and/or show business) took high-contrast form under the spells of John Hughes, Randal Kleiser, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg. “Risky Business” was another phenomenon of time-space that refracted my aspirations. When the bold “Real Genius” and the ridiculous and ballsy “Top Secret!” appeared on HBO, I was star-struck. Next came “Top Gun,” and the alchemy of Cruise, Kilmer and their like cinematically orchestrated by master storytellers subconsciously seized control of my outlook.
Thus inspired, I brought my A-game to the film and television industry. Along the way, through digitalization, cameras became more accessible. Despite not being in position to direct my own “National Lampoon,” I could shoot stuff for fun, experiment, and document my life.
It winds up, while he was living the life millions dreamt about, heartthrob and “Einstein of the 80s” (according to the “Real Genius” poster) Val Kilmer was also shooting stuff for fun, and documenting his life.
Read moreTing Poo and Leo Scott, Thanks for the Val Kilmer Documentary
Two months from today, our son will turn 18. Searching memory banks and analyzing recent conversations, I am recalling that unwelcome rise of daunting external pressures. As an adult, I understand that pressure makes it extra hard for most people to make good decisions … overall in life, and even in basic conduct.
Read moreSharing Secrets: Social (Media) Rules of Engagement
Filmmaker and photographer Ben Strang joined the directorial roster of one-stop cross-media production company Sarofsky in 2019. As a director of both scripted and documentary works, Ben’s stories are born from the unique locations and individuals he has encountered as an independent photojournalist for over a decade. His scripted pilot “Beast” won the SXSW Grand Jury Award for Best Independent Episodic, and his latest documentary series “A Mystery To Me” won a 2021 Cannes Lion, and was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick, as you can see here.
On International Women’s Day, UN Women’s HeForShe movement issued a global call to leaders to join the newly formed HeForShe Alliance and help accelerate progress toward gender equality.
Launched by UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson, HeForShe is a solidarity movement and an international platform that engages men and boys as allies to support the work of the women’s movement and ultimately create an equal world for all.
Read moreBold Leaders Invited to Champion Gender Equality via UN Women’s HeForShe Global Initiative
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