Rocket Film, Telly Awards, Daufenbach in the news

Rocket Film signs Dawn Rao and Sam Sloma

Rocket Films announced on Halloween that Chicagoans Dawn Rao and Sam Sloma will handle Midwest representation for the bicoastal production company. The appointment coincides with the signing of Tracy Fetterman and Jeanie DiMaggio, who will handle West Coast representation.

In addition to wielding a roster of directors with notable experience in comedy, commercial, documentary, VFX, and more, Rocket Film is committed to working with reps who share its “can-do spirit and inventiveness, minus the ego,” according to the announcement.

Dawn Rao and Sam Sloma
Dawn Rao and Sam Sloma

“Dawn & Sam and Tracy & Jeanie were immediate fits,” says Managing Director Sara Eolin.

“From the directors to the producers to the reps, everyone feeds off each other’s energy and thoughtfulness,” she continues. “When you’re working with people that you love to be around and collaborate with, the work is always better, smarter and tuned in.”

For more information about the company, click here.

 
Telly Awards introduces new categories, judges

In keeping with its new mission statement — “Honoring excellence in video and television across all screens” — The Telly Awards has overhauled its format to reflect work from emerging fields like branded content, social video, and animation.

The 39th annual competition will consider submissions in new categories including Best Series, Best Use of 3D, Best Use of Motion Graphics, and Best Use of Vertical Format for Social.

Winners will be selected with assistance from 100 new judges, including Vice’s David Lennon, Vimeo’s Sam Morrill, and the New York Times T Brand Studio’s Chloe Gingrich.

According to managing director Sabrina Dridje, the update adds a contemporary thrill to the competition, which was established in 1979 and receives over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and five continents.

“While The Telly Awards long ago established itself as the leading honor for television and video, the medium has exploded faster than we could keep up with it,” she says. “We’re excited to kickoff this year’s call for entries with refreshed categories, judges, and partners that bring the Tellys in-step with the rapidly changing field it honors.”

The deadline for early entries is December 8th. Winners will be announced next May. For more information, click here.

 
Daufenbach Camera’s inaugural Thanksgiving Food Drive

Daufenbach Camera announced its first annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, which will run from Monday Nov. 6 to Wednesday Nov. 22nd.

During that time, the independent equipment rental company will not only collect food, clothing, and toiletries for the needy, but also match every item with an equal donation of its own.

“We just kind of wanted to give back and help out the community,” says founder Lawrence Daufenbach. “We live in such a fast-paced industry, it’s important to take a moment and help those in need.”

To facilitate the drop-off process, Daufenbach has placed a basket in its lobby at 320 N. Damen. To ensure proper distribution, it will arrange delivery through an organization with a bona fide track record of helping the less fortunate.

“We’ve already reached out to the Chicago Food Depository and Catholic Charities,” Daufenbach continues. “We may even go with more than one.”

For additional information, email Lawrence Daufenbach or Meridith Daufenbach.