Phase 2 is hosting its first Virtual Art Talk on Wednesday, December 7th, featuring Tony Ducret, Director of Development, and Patrick Starr, Executive Vice President of Creative Advertising, of Universal Pictures.
They’ll be discussing distribution and marketing strategies once you’ve completed your film.
Tony Ducret graduated from Wesleyan University’s Film Studies department and went on to work primarily in non-fiction television producing and writing broadcast programs for a host of networks including VH1, MTV, BET & NAT GEO. In 2015 Tony longed to make a transition to scripted entertainment. He suspended his television work in New York and accepted one of 24 positions in USC’s prestigious Peter Stark Producing Program.
While studying at USC, he maintained positions with Searchlight Pictures, and Creative Artists Agency in the Motion Pictures-Literary department. Tony also worked at Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners before his move to Universal. Recent films that Tony has overseen include Jordan Peele’s Nope, Beast starring Idris Elba, and the upcoming Christmas action thriller Violent Night starring David Harbour.
Patrick Starr is responsible for Marketing Strategy and Creative Advertising for Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation films. Patrick creates Trailers, Posters, TV & Digital ads for the theatrical release of each film. He has created award winning campaigns for some of the biggest block busters, most creative modern films and groundbreaking TV series.
Patrick has overseen numerous campaigns that attained record-breaking box office success. Like the Jurassic World films, Straight Outta Compton, Ted, Pitch Perfect and The Bad Guys, Patrick looks to achieve success again with DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming Christmas release, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Prior to Universal, Patrick worked at Fox Searchlight Pictures, where he created Marketing campaigns for films such as Black Swan, Slumdog Millionaire, Juno and Little Miss Sunshine.
Before moving into feature films, Patrick created some of HBO’s most iconic campaigns for The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Wire, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He won numerous awards for his work on these Original Series, as well as for his work on HBO Films, Sports and Comedy Specials.
This virtual Art Talk will be available in the Spy Hop Student Lounge, or you may click here to attend virtually.
This Art Talk is free and open to the public.