Who’s gone where? From where? And when? As the Revolving Doors spin, we put the spotlight on spot-makers on-the-move.

Industry Films executive producer Tina Petridis says the Toronto-based spot shop has signed an agreement with New York’s Bob Industries to represent Bob’s roster of directors in Canada. The deal gives Canadian agencies and clients access to the likes of Jason Smith, Lisa Rubisch, Mark Kohr, Peter Care and the directorial team of Dayton-Ferris.

Petridis met Chuck Ryant and T.K. Knowles, two of the three partners in Bob, at the Cannes International Advertising Festival in June. She says she and Industry’s head of sales, Eva Preger, hit it off with the two gents immediately.

‘When we sat down and had a meeting with them, a lot of their philosophical visions of their company were very similar to that of Industry Films,’ says Petridis. ‘There was certainly room on our roster for one more company that was a heavy hitter, but so much of it has to do with the people that are running those companies: how interested are they in the Canadian market, how responsive are they to it?’

Ryant and Knowles say they have been anxious to bring Bob’s directorial roster into Canada and Industry seemed the right place for it.

‘We’ve worked with Canadian directors in the past who come down here and still go back up there, and also with some [American] directors who have gone up there and had great opportunities,’ says Knowles. ‘In some ways it’s an untapped gem because it can afford opportunities for directors to go up and do some projects that are good for their reel and a good process is had by all.’

‘We want to open up the door because there is some really interesting creative work in Canada,’ adds Ryant. ‘It is something we want to be exposed to to a degree, but we can’t surrender our company and have everybody working up there all the time.’

The two New Yorkers say Petridis and Preger were very open and honest at their initial Cannes meeting and respect the fact there will be some limitations on the availability of Bob’s directors.

‘They appreciated that we have a small company down here and have certain needs and demands as far as availability for our own directors, and they seem to be really appreciative and sensitive to that,’ says Ryant. ‘It seems with their roster they are certainly capable of carrying on with or without us, which is really important in the balance of things.’

In other Industry news, Petridis says the shop has brought aboard Australian director Les Sharpe, perhaps best known for his Milk ‘Ran Out’ spot. According to Petridis, Sharpe, who is repped in the u.s. by Cylo, has a great sense for visuals and comedy and has been interested in doing more in Canada for some time. He also has spots for Nike, Toyota and Sony PlayStation to flesh out his reel.

*Vertigo signs new DOPs

Toronto dop rep house Vertigo has signed a pair of new cinematographers for representation, both of whom, according to partner Barb Murphy, are local but well known internationally.

Shooter Craig Mullins comes to Vertigo with 16 years experience behind the lens. He has worked the camera on a seemingly endless number of spots for clients like Honda, Kraft, Bell, at&t, Ikea, Suzuki, Coors, Labatt and many others. He has also shot his fair share of music videos.

Steve Vernon, a dop based out of l.a., has shot more than 200 spots, switching between commercial and feature film work.

Murphy says Vertigo also recently added production designer/art director Patricia Christie to its fold. According to Murphy, Christie will be the only non-dop repped by Vertigo for the moment.

‘We are trying to concentrate on cinematographers with Vertigo,’ says Murphy. ‘We are not discounting [repping other commercial talent] in the future, but we are not looking at that right now. But [Christie] was a lovely addition at the right time.’

Murphy also foretells another major Vertigo signing, but says she cannot comment at present.

*Cohen joins Players

The Players Film Company in Toronto has hired Amanda Cohen as director of sales and marketing.

Cohen’s most recent post was as national account manager with the Tribute Entertainment Media Group. She says she is excited by the move into the spot world.

‘I’ve always been very interested in production,’ says Cohen. ‘I’ve already met about 95% of the local directors and I am just very intrigued.’

Cohen, a filmmaker in her own right, put together a short at the Canadian Film Centre last year. Since moving to Players, she says she has found a new respect for commercial makers.

‘Now I’ve realized commercials are just like little movies. Instead of spending three months on a shoot, you can spend one to six days. It’s a little more fast-paced. I like that.’