NY-based production and VFX shop Light of Day has signed director Brian Petsos for his first commercial representation. Petsos has worn multiple hats, serving as writer, producer, actor and director for a range of film projects, writing and producing “Boobie” (starring Petsos and Elijah Wood) and “Sticky Minds” (starring Petsos, Kristen Wiig and Adam Brody), producing “Adventures In The Sin Bin” and writing feature screenplays for top entertainment studios. Petsos recently directed the dark comedy short “Ticky Tacky” (starring Oscar Isaac), which premiered at the Palm Springs International ShortFest.
With an extensive background working in comedy for film with some of the industry’s biggest names, Petsos will deliver his natural flair for humour and comedic timing for branded projects.
Notes Light of Day fellow Director and Creative Director of Development Charles Nordeen, “The second you meet Brian and work with him, you get it. Comedy is in every letter of every word with Brian. His natural comedic sensibilities are something incredibly rare and immediately apparent in all of his work. That’s what I love about the guy and it shows by the level of talent that he collaborates with.” Adds Light of Day Executive Producer Brad Payne, “Brian knows how to play around creatively in a way that exposes new directions, but stays true to the original concept. With his extensive background as an actor, he is able to draw out performances that come across as unique and stylized, while still being authentic and real—we love that.”
Adds Petsos, “Entering the realm of branded and commercial content is a new adventure for me, and one that I’m really excited about,” notes Petsos. “From my perspective, ultimately it all reverts back to the core fundamentals of storytelling. I think that where the shorter length of time may initially seem like a limitation, that it’s actually the opposite. It’s absolutely a creative opportunity and quite liberating.”
After studying film and fine art, Petsos flexed his creative muscles by producing and performing music, and making visual art. He segued into acting, immediately gravitating toward all things comedy while studying at Chicago’s famed Second City Conservatory. While there, he began writing his first producing effort—a short film for Funny or Die—which he co-starred in with Kristen Wiig. He wrote and produced the official 2011 SXSW selection “Boobie” and “Sticky Minds” for the second season of Funny or Die’s HBO comedy series Funny or Die Presents. He next produced “Adventures In The Sin Bin” and wrapped writing for “King Eddie.” In 2011, he founded production company A Saboteur, focusing on creating innovative, original, boundary-pushing films that challenge traditional expectations and underline artistic integrity. Petsos wrote the company’s first film, “Revenge For Jolly!” co-produced by Atlas Entertainment. Directed by Chadd Harbold, the film stars Petsos, Oscar Isaac, Elijah Wood, Adam Brody, Ryan Phillippe and Kristen Wiig. “Revenge For Jolly” made its world premiere at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival.
Petsos’ most recent film—the searing black comedy “Ticky Tacky”—starring Golden Globe-nominated Oscar Isaac (“Inside Llewyn Davis”) follows a rich and powerful man, who, with the help of his trusted confidant, comes up with a suitable revenge for those who have wronged him. Additionally, several other film projects are currently in development on the A Saboteur slate.
About Light of Day
Founded in 2011, Light of Day is a New York-based VFX creative shop that crafts visually rich, photorealistic and stylized designs for commercials, branded content, feature films and interactive online media.
The experienced team of in-house animators and designers leverage their expertise across compositing, CG, motion graphics and online finishing to deliver top-tier imagery for a diverse range of clients. Led by founders Charles Nordeen and Colin Stackpole, Light of Day fuses its team of top industry talent with a superior seamless workflow to deliver compelling images through final finish.