ICYMI: SSN’s Top Original Stories For 2/3 – 2/7/14

The Next Lego Movie – SSN Picks The 6 Toys to Develop into Films Now

It takes the right brand, the right studio, the right talent, all mixed together with luck to bring a toy brand to film success. Here are some of SSN’s favorite toys with robust enough concepts to inspire film franchises, from Play-Doh to Furby. (SSN)

‘Frozen’ After The Thaw: Chris Buck, Josh Gad & Other Creatives React to the Film’s Success

In our dedicated feature, SSN talks to the principals responsible for the film’s musical, comedic, and creative vision about what it’s like to be a part of a cinematic experience that’s become a genuine, zeitgeist-capturing phenomenon. (SSN)

Oscars From Vision To Reality: ‘The Invisible Woman’ Costume Designer Michael O’Connor

Costume designer Michael O’Connor has been to the Oscars twice, winning for The Duchess in 2009, and again as a nominee for Jane Eyre in 2011. He was recently nominated a third time for his work in The Invisible Woman. Inthis launch of SSN’s Vision to Reality series, we feature four key sketches from O’Connor’s vision and asked him to take us through his process. (SSN)

Awards Spotlight: Costume & Production Designer Oscar Nom Catherine Martin Brings the 1920s to Life in ‘The Great Gatsby’

Considered one of the industry’s best costume designers as well as one of its best production designers, Catherine Martin is in a class all to herself, nominated for six Oscars, three in each of the above categories. She’s won twice for her work in both categories on Moulin Rouge, directed by husband and longtime collaborator Baz Luhrmann. Now, she’s been twice nominated again for her work in Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. (SSN)

Awards Spotlight: Behind the Invention of the Light Box with Gravity’s Oscar Nominated DP Emmanuel Lubezki

Lubezki, a six-time Oscar nominee and recent winner of the Cinematographer’s Guild Award, was delighted to sit down and walk us through the process of how he and his team designed the technology that’s already become an industry game-changer. (SSN)

Spotlight: Athena Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Honoree & Trailblazer Sherry Lansing on Her New Dream

A phenomenally successful producer, Lansing still has the drive that made her such a force in Hollywood  – her mark on it will be felt for decades to come. SSN chatted with Lansing about what this award means to her, memories of working with some of Hollywood’s most outsized personalities and more. (SSN)

Spotlight: Filmmaker Grant Heslov on Why ‘Monuments Men’ was Moved & the Stories George Clooney Gravitates Towards

Heslov, 50, spoke to SSN about writing and producing with Clooney, the success of August: Osage County, and his 30-year friendship with the world’s biggest movie star. (SSN)