WEAPONS OF MASS ENTERTAINMENT, the trend-setting multimedia and entertainment hub founded by the legendary DAVE STEWART, has recently welcomed an array of new talent to its already impressive roster. Directors JEFF & TIM CRONENWORTH, ANDERS ROSTAD, TRAVIS SCHNEIDER, and JEFF RANASINGHE have officially joined the artist collective's fold. Throughout 2013, these diverse visionaries will lead a bevy of upcoming projects ranging from music videos to high-profile films.
STEWART--musician, music producer, author, entrepreneur, filmmaker and philanthropist--has constructed a dynamic launch pad for artists of all kinds to take flight. His veritable "idea factory" functions as the perfect foundation for art to blossom. Each of these individuals instantly appealed to the company's sensibility and ethos making for a perfect fit in this one-of-a-kind family.
About this roster expansion, STEWART says, "I'm excited to see my company grow organically into a village of like-minded creatives who also see no boundaries for the future of Weapons of Mass Entertainment. Having geniuses like Jeff & Tim Cronenworth to go brain-sailing with is an honor and a privilege and bringing Anders, Travis and Jeff adds so much knowledge and youthful energy to an already vibrant team."
"Working with Dave Stewart is a liberating creative experience, a literal fun-house," says Paul Boyd, Head Of Production, WME. "Directing at WMEP is endless journey into experimentation and creative 'out of the box' thinking. As head of production I thrive on the playground atmosphere Dave encourages in the office."
"It's an exciting time to build the WME brand--nurturing talented young directors and working with revered filmmakers," says Randi Wilens, Executive Producer/Film Content, WME. "All the rules are broken so the sky is the limit creatively."
The brotherly duo of JEFF & TIM CRONENWORTH was born to be behind the camera. Their dad Jordan is the legendary director of photography for Blade Runner, and both of them inherited their father's passion for film. JEFF remains director David Fincher's go-to director of photography, working on films including Fight Club,
The Social Network, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. He received an Academy Award nomination for his work on the latter. Recently, he worked as director of photography on David Bowie's "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)." He and Tim helmed GMC's notable Super Bowl 2013 spot "Chain." WEAPONS OF MASS ENTERTAINMENT will represent them for music video and music-related projects.
Meanwhile, JEFF RANASINGHE remains something of a visual sorcerer. He has two decades of VFX experience for live action feature films and animated features for clients such as
Disney and
Dreamworks Animation. His CG ability stands at the forefront of the business. Recently, he teamed up with veteran director Paul Boyd for deadmau5's "Professional Griefers" [featuring Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance] music video, which broke ground as the highest budgeted EDM video in history. Currently, JEFF is serving as Digital Effects supervisor for Metallica's latest Stereoscopic-3D feature film, Through the Never, in theaters this summer.
ANDERS ROSTAD stands out as both a director and visual artist. He's been sought out by leading brands and outlets including Vogue, Microsoft, TLC, Intel, Discovery Channel, History Channel, Samsung, JVC and more for his aesthetic. He's directed music videos for everyone from
Pacific Air to Jack's Mannequin. Outside of music, he's ventured to Haiti in 2011 to film the devastation in the earthquake's wake and convey a human story in the process via select victims. On the horizon are a few short films. WEAPONS OF MASS ENTERTAINMENT will provide representation on all forthcoming film and visual projects.
Finally, director and photographer TRAVIS SCHNEIDER rounds out the recent signings. He has been behind seminal music videos for Maroon 5, The Hives, and Sara Bareilles. His photographs include sessions for
Arcade Fire and Moby. Right now, he's joined
Maroon 5 On the Road to document their current world tour. WEAPONS OF MASS ENTERTAINMENT will provide representation on all forthcoming film and visual projects.
In other WEAPONS OF MASS ENTERTAINMENT news, STEWART and Stevie Nicks teamed up to co-direct the WEAPONS OF MASS ENTERTAINMENT-produced film In Your Dreams and it will be screened at SXSW in Austin, TX on Thursday, March 14 at
Paramount Theatre from 2:00-3:40 PM, after which Nicks and STEWART will do a Q&A. In Your Dreams stands out as an engaging and enthralling documentary portrait of the singer as Nicks and STEWART embark on a musical journey to write and record the critically acclaimed album In Your Dreams which STEWART co-produced.
It comes hot on the heels of the company's VH1 chart-topping music video for Neon Trees' "Everybody Talks" and the seismically influential "Professional Griefers" clip.
WEAPONS OF MASS ENTERTAINMENT continues to innovate and invent at each turn. The company would like to formally welcome JEFF & TIM CRONENWORTH, ANDERS ROSTAD, TRAVIS SCHNEIDER, and JEFF RANASINGHE.
