On the heels of his recent "10-Day Challenge" with John McEnroe for Kellogg's, GARTNER's Mike Bigelow mounts another competition: the pairing of identical twins with identical computers to see if the new Verizon FiOS can get it "Done" faster than standard cable. A little sibling rivalry never hurt anyone, right? Right?

Client: Verizon FiOS
Spots Title(s): "Done"
First Air Date: February 18, 2008

Production Company: GARTNER
Director: Mike Bigelow
DP: Guillermo Navarro
EP(s): Rich Carter, Don Block
Producer: Kim Monaco

Editorial: Crew Cuts
Editor: Clayton Hemmert
Telecine: Company 3
Colorist: Sean Beach
Post/Effects: Charlx (Graphics)
Sound Design: Verizon Music

Audio Post: HSR
Mixer: Steve Rosen
Shoot Location: Los Angeles, CA

SHOOT - Music and Sound Winter Top Ten Tracks - Florida Citrus Miracle

CanYouVideo - Florida Citrus Miracle

SHOOT rates Florida Citrus "Miracle" for its Top Ten Tracks list composed by PrimalScream Music, executive music producer Nicole Dionne...

Whole grain has long suffered as the world's least exciting edible. No more. With this spot for Walkers, director Henry Littlechild of OUTSIDER chronicles the unlikely adventures of a few wild oats and leads the audience on a "Thrillride" sure to help this healthy snack shed its bad rap.

Agency: AMV BBDO
Creative: Barney Ashton, Ray Wahl
Agency Producer: Nick Godden

Editorial: Final Cut
Editor: Adam Rudd

Post/VFX: The Mill
Flame Artist: Richard Betts 

"SHADOWCORP is not just about making commercials for new media," Mande explained, "it's about creative storytelling. Our goal is to deliver content outside the boundaries of the 30-second spot." Gould noted that SHADOWCORP's helmers are all established writer-directors who "bring a lot to the table creatively and in terms of their individual experience working in new media formats. The possibilities are endless." 

Mande first crossed paths with filmmaker John Chuldenko when the former agency creative director was on a freelance writing assignment at New Wave Entertainment, where she served as Art Director. "John and I were both involved in making our own short films and I think creatively we found a common bond," recalled Mande, who later co-founded Group101Spots with Gould, championing aspiring spotmakers. Chuldenko went on to make several short films, which screened at Sundance, Tribeca and South by Southwest; "Monkey," his latest theatrical comedy spot for Movietickets.com, was just released onto 10,000 screens across the US. Additional new work includes a three-spot Pepsi/Amp Energy Drink campaign (featuring passionate NASCAR fans who must align with a new sponsor to support Dale Earnhardt, Jr.), a GSN promo for The World Poker Tour (featuring Phil Laak and Antonio Esfandiari), and a special on-air project for Lussier/Disney Channel featuring Ashley Tisdale. 

Another New Wave alumnus, Toby Wilkins was in charge of finishing and visual effects on trailers and TV spots. His work has played at Sundance and the AFI, and after being commissioned by Sam Raimi's Ghost House Pictures to write, produce and direct several shorts, he has been tapped to helm The Grudge 3 this year. Wilkins' feature debut, Splinter, is slated for a summer 08 release.

You may not know director/writer/actor Greg Benson by name, but that's likely to change. You have seen his face already, in a series of memorable Kia spots, and his profile behind the camera is skyrocketing. Benson's brash, irreverent and decidedly un-PC comedy "Retarded Policemen" and "Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show" (just acquired by SONY and a fave of guest stars such as Michael O'Keefe and Wil Wheaton) webisodics have made him a powerful presence, scoring top hits on YouTube, iTunes, and MySpace. His work has also appeared on ABC and NBC, he just completed a series of three "I'm a Mac" spoofs for Hologic, using the new RED ONE camera, and wrapped an episode of "Gaytown," a new Sony-acquired Web series starring comic Owen Benjamin. "Greg's work is everywhere," said Mande. "He's about to blow up huge." 

Monsterobot landed in the shots 2007 new directors showcase with her viral short, "Headvice", part of Scion's want2bsquare.com campaign via Attik, San Francisco, as well as her live action comedy spot for Smint. With an extensive background in production design, puppeteering and animation, Monsterobot, a.k.a. Melanie Mandl, was part of the costume-clad heavy metal band GWAR and directed many of their music videos along with their feature film, "Skulhedface". Her latest effort is the music video "Run", for the band Air.

Isaac Woodby and Daniel Klug, who direct under the Lamer Street moniker, have recently garnered recognition for the CW network's "Online Nation", and their Honorable Mention in the "Best Movie Spoof" category at the 2007 MTV movie awards. Also well-known in the LA comedy scene, the pair are live sketch and improv performers, who honed their skills in such groups as School Nite and Thunderjar, with an extensive training background at IO (Improv Olympics) West Theater, as well as Second City. "In every town, city, state, and country there's a street," begins their bio. "The one where all the lame people you know live with their lame houses, lame families, and lame three legged dogs. Behind that street is Lamer Street..." In truth, the directors are far from lame, and round out their resume as motion graphic animators and designers for the film and television industry, with credits including the rebranding of the Disney Channel, and the creation of Al Gore's keynote presentation for the Oscar winning An Inconvenient Truth. Lamer Street has just completed a new comedy short, "Bad Apple."

Winner of a student EMMY, among other honors, Jane Selle Morgan has helmed projects for clients such as Microsoft, Amazon.com and Expedia.com. Her short films have run on IFC, AMC, Atomfilms.com, Aquafina.com and at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Selle Morgan was the pilot director for the Youtube hit "The Guild", which has scored over a million hits on that site, making her one of the top-clicked comedy directors online. 

"We are building this company on the principle of creative collaboration in the most comprehensive sense," Gould concluded. "These are proven talents, with diverse and proactive approaches to filmmaking. SHADOWCORP offers these filmmakers a platform from which to expand their reach and realize their potential."  

SHADOWCORP is repped on the West Coast by Judy Holman, Margaret Dismukes in Texas, and by Stu Sternbach on the East Coast.

The latest ad from GARTNER's Mike Bigelow offers empowering images of middle-aged women running, swimming, yogaing, biking and power-walking. What do these forty plus, active ladies have in common? Eating Kellogg's Smart Start to make their hearts one bowl stronger. Titled "One Mile Stronger," the spot was edited by Steve Stein of Cutters.

Client: Kellogg's Smart Start
Spots Title(s): "One Mile Stronger"
First Air Date: 1/1/08

Agency: Leo Burnett USA
Executive Creative Director(s): Dave Linne
Creative Director(s): Mark Oosthuizen
Art Director(s): Vince Cook
Agency Producer: Dennis Bannon

Production Company: GARTNER
Director: Mike Bigelow
DP: Tami Reiker
EP(s): Rich Carter, Don Block
Producer: Kim Monaco

Editorial: Cutters
Editor: Steve Stein

Telecine: Rushes/601
Colorist: Chaz Tucker

Music: Spank Musci/Chicago 

Shoot Location: Los Angeles, CA

Creative Cow - OnStar - February 2008

Screen - OnStar - February 2008

shots - OnStar - February 2008

Feedfury - OnStar - February 2008  

Ad and post production trades cover Universal Images and Mediascape as they debut the new 3-D display for OnStar...

Joel Marcus of Cutters handled editorial chores on an interactive promotional campaign for Microsoft Visual Studio created via advertising agency McCann Erickson, San Francisco, and now appearing on the Web.

The campaign, which showcases the work of creative studio Exopolis, is comprised of a game portal-inspired web site and nine Internet spots created entirely using the machinima filmmaking technique. Virtual filmmaking within the framework of a computer game engine, "machinima" is becoming increasingly popular among independent filmmakers and game fans.

The web spots feature a ragtag cast of videogame characters, each with its own distinct quirks and personality, acting out familiar office scenarios.

"Working with Cutters was spectacular," recalls Jason O'Leary, Executive Producer, Broadcast, at Exopolis. "They were able to take into account what had previously been established from the initial launch, and take it to the next level. Their work absolutely increased the level of creativity we were able to achieve in this round of videos."

Of editing in the machinima format, says Marcus, "it's great to craft the action to fit the script and then 'reshoot' scenes as needed in editorial." For Marcus, the post process was also an opportunity to accentuate the characters' personalities, and he counts two spots, "Re-org" and "Ride Envy", among his favorites. "Exopolis really gave us some wonderful material to work with...it was a truly gratifying collaboration."

Creative Studio: Exopolis / Los Angeles, CA
Partners: Daniel Arcana, Kat Egan
Creative Director/Director: Mike Harvey
Executive Producer/Broadcast: Jason O'Leary
Producer: Alison Cole
Associate Producer: Jessica Baker
Technical Director/Creative Consultant: Steven Schkolne
Game Developer/Flash programmer: Matt Howell
3D Modeler/Animator: Ming Hsiung
3D Modeler/Animator: John Valezquez
2D Design/Animation: Aaron Frebowitz

Editorial Facility: Cutters
Editor : Joel Marcus
Assistant Editor: Aki Johnson
Executive Producer: Nicole Visram
Producer: Kasey Mcgarrigle

Audio Record & Mix: Eleven Sound
Engineer: Jeff Fuller
Sound Designer: Jeff Fuller
Assistant Mixer: Luis Rosario
Executive Producer: DF Fox-Engstrom

Director Henry Littlechild of OUTSIDER USA has helmed what might well be the first spot to feature a world leader as soap on a rope. In honor of Presidents Day, Kia Motors is offering unheard-of deals - and celebrating unheard-of US Presidents, such as "Millard Fillmore".

Client: Kia Motors
Spots Title(s): "Millard Fillmore"
First Air Date: 2/5/08

Agency: David&Goliath
Exec. Creative Director(s): Colin Jeffery
Creative Director(s): Ben Purcell
Art Director(s): David Cuccunello, Todd Rone Parker
Copywriter: Ben Purcell
Executive Producer: Carol Lombard
Senior Producer: Jamie Shuster
Assistant Producer: Alex Granieri

Production Company: Outsider USA
Director: Henry Littlechild
DP: Ottar Gudnason
EP: Don Block & Rich Carter
Producer: Keeley Gould

Editorial: Cosmo Street
Editor: Asako Ushio
Exec. Prod (Editorial): Jerry Sukys

Telecine: Rushes
Colorist: Chico Dowden

Shoot Location: Los Angeles, CA

NEW YORK CITY, February 19, 2008 - Directors Greg Olliver and John Park have signed with T.H.E.M. for exclusive US spot representation.

"Adding Greg Olliver to our roster just makes sense," says T.H.E.M. Partner/Executive Producer Tony Harding. "He is the perfect guy because he can do it all." Olliver, who has become something of a go-to multi-talent for music-oriented film and TV projects, has worked with Joan Jett, Snoop Dogg, O.A.R., Carmen Electra, Paul Oakenfold, and many others. Webcasting from South by Southwest this year, he co-directed, produced, and edited a series of online "SxSW Mini Docs" for Billboard.com and Hollywoodreporter.com. 

Harding likens his first viewing of John Park to "a fireworks display. I was astounded by his talent and got the impression I was privy to something very rare and captivating." Park's work is distinguished by its beautiful imagery and strong narrative. Educated in the US, and living in Korea, he has garnered numerous awards and accolades for his work. Two recent examples: Korean Air "Relaxation" was honored at the Korean National Broadcasting Commercial Awards, and "Show - Multiply" received top spot billing for more than a month on TVCF.com, which ranks popularity of Korean commercials.

Greg Olliver

"Greg offers so much to the advertising community - he is a great concept guy who shoots and edits," Harding explains. 

While Olliver (pic., r) has helmed projects outside the music biz, working successfully in comedy and other genres, the director acknowledges his tendency toward music-based material. "I am the rock-n-roll guy," he muses.

Harding recalls first meeting Olliver a little over two years ago, when he hired Greg to shoot development material for what eventually became the VH1 hit, Mission Manband. "Greg was a good fit for us, very hands on," he says. "Since then, we've been working with Greg informally, collaborating on the development of various projects. We're proud to officially have him on the roster."

Mission Man Band is one of T.H.E.M.'s recent long form successes, for which Olliver shot and co-directed a pilot presentation. The reality television show chronicles the formation of a boy band with various members of successful pop acts from the past. VH1 gave the show the greenlight, and Harding served as an Executive Producer on the project through his former company, Kandokid Films. Some of Olliver's work ended up in the first episode. "When we tried to recreate some of the back story footage Greg had shot," said Harding, "we found it lacked the raw, visceral quality of the footage he shot during the development process, so VH1 included much of his film in the first episode."

"My ongoing relationship with Tony and T.H.E.M. has been a natural and mutually rewarding one," Olliver says. "People respond to our collaborative efforts, and we're just going with the flow." 

Olliver's recent projects include a biographical documentary with Burning Spear, and work on Fuel TV's First Hand. He currently is co-directing the LEMMY/Motorhead life story, and pursuant to his SxSW project for Billboard.com is co-creating a series of Voodo Festival Mini Docs for the site.

John Park

Park almost didn't go to film school. "I didn't have the guts to enter film school as an undergrad at UCLA," he recalls, "but eventually I realized filmmaking was my true calling and went to Art Center College of Design for film in their MFA program." Still, Park gives on-the-job training in production and his near-obsessive study of DVD director commentaries equal weight with his film education.

Park moved to Korea following the success of a series ultra-low budget viral phone spots done in the US: LG "Evolution", "Chocolate Latte", and "Foreplay". All the spots were done through LGAD in Korea and produced by Dancing Toe in Los Angeles. "Evolution" is still playing on the main LG LCD display at Time Square.

Park acknowledges that making commercials in Korea comes with its own set of challenges. "Everything happens very quickly on a much lower budget in Korea," he explains. "It's a very demanding place to work with fierce competition. One has to be very precise in knowing what you want, and be able to work things out in very short time period. As a Korean-American, I get the benefit of being able to adapt to both cultures and languages." Korean clients are interested in Park, in part because he brings western visions to the commercials he directs, and communicates with English-speaking or overseas crews with ease.

That is not to say that cross-cultural communication is without its hiccups. "While most crews are eager to say 'yes' to my requests, so little gets transmitted during our conversations that only later on the set do I realize they didn't understand me correctly. It's really like the famous scene in Lost in Translation where the director asks Bill Murray for 'more intensity'. But we work through it," Park laughs, "and we get the job done." 

In addition to Greg Olliver and John Park, directors Elisson Burgos (Fred), Zoe Green, Jim Tozzi, Lawrence Jacomelli, and Michael Uys are also with T.H.E.M.

Adland - Bud Light Mencia Super Bowl - KONK

Mahalo - Bud Light Mencia Super Bowl - KONK

Advertolog - Bud Light Mencia Super Bowl - KONK

Konk is featured in trades covering the world of advertising production with a Super Bowl Spot for Bud Light featuring Carlos Mencia...

Screen - Monroe Shocks - SOLDESIGN

Adweek - Monroe Shocks - SOLDESIGN 

Adland - Monroe Shocks - SOLDESIGN 

Adrants - Monroe Shocks - SOLDESIGN 

Creative Cow - Monroe Shocks - SOLDESIGN

Feedfury - Monroe Shocks - SOLDESIGN

SpinInfo - Monroe Shocks - SOLDESIGN 

Adrants - Allstate Kicker, Statue, Diner - SOLDESIGN

Adland - Allstate Kicker, Statue, Diner - SOLDESIGN 

Adgabber - Allstate Kicker, Statue, Diner - SOLDESIGN

Adrants - Allstate Bleep - SOLDESIGN 

SOLDesignfx is featured in trades covering the world of advertising production and post with spots for Monroe Shocks & Struts, Allstate "Bleep", and Allstate "Kicker", "Statue" and "Diner"...

The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) offer everything the eye could want - warm sun, secluded beaches, grand vistas, and rolling waves. It's the perfect setting for romance...and a music video. Teaming up with J Walter Thompson/Atlanta and recording artist Jade Anderson (daughter of YES's Chris Anderson), PrimalScream Music delivers just that.

Created by PrimalScream, the 4:00 song, "Meant To Be," accompanies the lush visuals of director Brad Steinwede and DP Bob Clark.

Client: USVI (US Virgin Islands)
Spots Title(s):"Meant To Be" 4:00
First Air Date: Not Airing/Promotional Video for the Destination

Agency: J. Walter Thompson/Atlanta
Creative Director: Carl Warner
Art Director: Anna Godfrey
Writer: Denise Arnold
Agency Producer: Brad Steinwede
Director: Brad Steinwede

Production Company: What What Films
DP: Bob Clark
Editorial: Outback Editorial
Editor: Joel Brand

Music: PrimalScream Music
Executive Music Producer: Nicole Dionne
Producer: Scott Burton
Artist: Jade Anderson

Shoot Location: US Virgin Islands

Keeping your computer desktop clean is sometimes harder than it should be. Luckily, OUTSIDER USA director Henry Littlechild's spots for IBM's Lotus 8 application software manage to serve up some truly unique, albeit extreme ways of resolving desktop clutter.

In the first spot, "Jet," a messy computer desktop undergoes the ultimate wind test as the fury of a jet engine scatters the desk's clutter.

In "Body Builder," a refugee from Venice's Muscle Beach strikes a vein-popping pose atop an untidy desktop, exploding in the process but managing to clear the desk.  

Finally, a daredevil motorcycle rider slams his "Bike" into an office desk situated on the tarmac, propelling his body across the cluttered desktop. Needless to say, this "human squeegee" wipes away the mess.

Fortunately, for the rest of us who are not driven to such extremes, IBM's Lotus 8 offers the fast, simple, easy solution for keeping your desktop clean.

Client: IBM Lotus Notes 8
Spots Title(s): "Jet Engine", "Bodybuilder", "Motorcycle"
First Air Date: Website

Agency: Ogilvy
Creative Director(s): Adam Lau
Art Director(s): Zack Holiday
Copywriter(s): Niels West
Agency Producer: Lee Weiss

Production Company: OUTSIDER USA
Director: Henry Littlechild
DP: Richard Henkels
EP:  Don Block
Producer: Keeley Gould

Editorial: Go Robot
Editor: Tim Wilson

Post/Effects: Guava
VFX Artist(s): Aron Baxter
Exec. Prod: Steve Holiner

Shoot Location: Los Angeles, CA

Poor Cupid, he's got competition issues thanks to the popularity of Pinky Vodka, and the poor guy seems about ready to hang up his bow and arrow for good in this clever spot from director Carolyn Chen of Savant.

Many know Cupid as the erotic god of love and sex, but in Chen's amusing piece Cupid is just a harried, poor working stiff (no pun intended) who - despite his best efforts to modernize his love arrow delivery system - is continually thwarted by the lady's love of Pinky Vodka!  The poor bloke is at his wit's end.  Perhaps it's time for Cupid to surrender to the pink?

Agency: Ground Zero
ECD: Court Crandall

Production Company: Savant Film
Director: Carolyn Chen
DP: Nicole Whittaker

Editorial: Butcher Edit
Editor: Jack Douglas

VFX Company: Giant Steps Online & Compositing
Compositor: Mike Vaglienty
Producer: Ryan Thompson

Telecine: Rushes
Colorist: Jack Douglas

Sound: Subtractive

The "Intro" to this new campaign from director Mike Bigelow of GARTNER sets the rules of play for Kelloggs' All Bran 10 Day Challenge. Tennis legend John McEnroe is on hand to coach a couple through the challenge  - one bowl a day for ten days - and he will be living in their home for the duration of the event. Is this the latest cruel reality show? Apparently not. The hotheaded McEnroe has undergone the 10 day challenge himself, and been transformed into a kinder, gentler, Mac. For the most part.

It's Day 5 of the All Bran 10 Day Challenge. A stubborn clog in the kitchen sink during breakfast is no match for a pipe wrench-wielding John McEnroe. However, the issue of the "Milk" being left out of the refrigerator that bubbles up the classic McEnroe rant "It was out!" "It was in!" protests his host. Let's go to the replay...

Day 10. McEnroe bids the Joneses farewell after they have successfully completed the Challenge. He offers these words of wisdom on the happy couple, "I told you you'd feel better if you let it all out. I'm an expert at it." But even a fond farewell is not without its sputters when Mac is on the court...

Agency: Leo Burnett USA
Executive Creative Director: Dave Linne
Creative Director: Mark Oosthuizen
Art Director: Vince Cook
Agency Producer: Dennis Bannon

Production Company: GARTNER
Director: Mike Bigelow
DP: Tami Reiker
EP(s): Rich Carter, Don Block
Producer: Kim Monaco

Editorial: Bikini Edit
Editor: Avi Oron

Telecine: Rushes/601
Colorist: Chaz Tucker

Shoot Location: Los Angeles, CA

SANTA MONICA, CA, February 13, 2008 - Roundy's Chairman Bob Mariano and his intrepid executive crew take quality control to new heights in three secret agent-inspired spots directed by Theodore Melfi of GARTNER for the Midwest supermarket chain's private label brands.

Created via agency Kerker/MN, the TV and Web campaign touts the fact that every Roundy's brand has been approved personally by the Chairman, while offering us an amusing glimpse into the super secret selection process. 

Apparently, Melfi's direction of the "Chairman Bob" spots has garnered the approval of Supermarket News, MorningNewsBeat.com and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which are buzzing.  Additional interviews and out-takes are available at www.meetchairmanbob.com.

While it's no secret that Chairman Bob is a tough man to please, it's still a hearty chuckle as we witness the Roundy's "Potato Chip" plant scramble for his approval. 

Put your parka on as Chairman Bob and company brave the Arctic cold, descending to the deep freezer level housing an "Ice Cream" operation.

Out in the grove with his staff, the Chairman rides a scissor lift to personally select the individual fruit used in the private label "Orange Juice" brand.  

Client: Roundy's Supermarkets
Spots Title(s): "Potato Chip", "Ice Cream", "Orange Juice"
First Air Date: 1/27/08, TV & Web

Agency: Kerker
Creative Director: Chris Preston
Art Director: Anne Taylor
Copywriter: Jason Siciliano
Senior Broadcast Producer: Anne Swarts

Production Company: GARTNER
Director: Theodore Melfi
DP: Buzz Fieschans
EP(s): Rich Carter, Don Block
Producer: Roger Petrusson

Editorial: Schnitt
Editor: Charley Schwartz

Telecine: Modern Video

Post/Effects: Pixel Farm
Shoot Location: Los Angeles, CA

LOS ANGELES, CA, February 7, 2008 -  Executive Producer June Guterman, and SF rep Sandra Riley, of commercial production company Looking Glass Films, will host an ad industry screening of Love and Other Disasters, the latest feature from director Alex Keshishian.

The event, which includes a cocktail reception with the filmmaker, will take place Wednesday, February 13th, at the Delancey Street Screening Room in San Francisco. The film, which stars Brittany Murphy, was executive produced by David Fincher and Luc Besson.

About The Film

Writer-director Alek Keshishian unspools a fast and funny farce about friendship and love, set in London. From the British fashion world, to the art and film industry, Keshishian's movie embodies the sheer confection of a classic rom-com, but with a subtly post-modern, satirical twist. As one reviewer put it: "If Billy Wilder was alive, this is the irreverent comedy and social commentary he would be doing today..." Along with Brittany Murphy in perhaps her best comedic performance to date, the cast includes Matthew Rhys, Catherine Tate, Dawn French,and Stephanie Beacham, with cameos from Gwyneth Paltrow and Orlando Bloom.  

Keshishian, whose previous films include Madonna: Truth or Dare and With Honors, has helmed spot projects for Peugot, Baileys, and Max Factor, among others. Having completed the new film, he is once again available for spot work.

Love and Other Disasters

Written & Directed by: Alek Keshishian
Produced by: Alek Keshishian, Virginie Silla, David Fincher, Luc Besson
Starring: Brittany Murphy, Matthew Rhys, Catherine Tate, Santiago Cabrera
Music by: Replicant (as Alexandre Azaria)
Cinematography: Pierre Morel
Editing by: Nick Arthurs
Distributed by: EuropaCorp
Running time 90 min
Country France / UK
Language English

Click HERE to view the 4-minute trailer 

For the 2008 auto show circuit, Mediascape and UI developed technology and content for a multimedia walk-up OnStar display that creates an exciting visual experience with 3-D effects. With years of 3-D display experience, Mediascape was ready to help with MVP Collaborative's production for OnStar.

"We continue to advance the state of the art with screen-popping imagery that escapes the 2D surface, creating a true 'wow' factor with crowds," said Mediascape President Howard Luby. Indeed, the response from the community has been one of excitement - and surprise. From afar, the image seems completely normal and 2-D. However, as the viewer moves toward the display the image is perceived in 3-D, jumping out at the spectator. Each forty-two inch screen used in OnStar's display presents a slightly different image to the left and right eye of the viewer, just like our view of natural 3D objects. Mediascape and UI continue to make strides in stereo video by leveraging the latest hardware, and their own proprietary tools.

"This technology is at the forefront of the industry," said Luby, "We've explored prototypes of this method for years, but this generation of equipment is the first that's been viable for public use." 

Etta Menlo, President of Universal Images, added that "part of the success of this project was due to the collaboration between UI and Mediascape during the development phase.One of UI's Senior Effects Artists, Matt Simecek, spent a lot of time shuttling between UI and Mediascape to test and tweak the visuals. As a result, UI is expert at creating content for this specific format."

The new display was rolled out in Detroit during NAIAS and will continue on through the auto show A circuit through March, with an additional dealer show in San Francisco starting Feb 9th.

Mediascape was recently granted the Ambassador Award and the Innovative Media honor with Presentation Works at Detroit's D Show. The awards were in honor of Mediascape's work with VW Caraoke, an in-car "Caraoke" system for use during 2007 international auto shows to promote new cars by VW.

Project Credits: 

Universal Images
Senior Effects Artist: Matt Simecek
Effects Artist: Henry Birdseye
Senior 3D Animator(s): Eric Brown, Mike Gregg

Creativity - Bud Light Mencia Super Bowl - CUTTERS

Adland - Bud Light Mencia Super Bowl - CUTTERS

USA Today - Bud Light Menica Super Bowl Ad Meter - CUTTERS

Mahalo - Bud Light Mencia Super Bowl - CUTTERS 

Cutters is featured in trades covering the world of advertising production and post with a Super Bowl Spot for Bud Light featuring Carlos Mencia...

Adland - Capital One

Creative Cow - Capital One 
 

EIGHT VFX's work for Capital One appears in trades covering the world of advertising production and post...

"Directing last year's Carlos Mencia project (Bud Light "Classroom") was like catching lightning in a bottle," recalls Konk's Chris Koch of his 2007 Game Day outing. "Trying to top it and to make the cut for this year's Super Bowl was quite the challenge." 

Koch and company rose to the occasion, delivering a worthy follow-up in which Mencia offers a barroom class in the "Language of Love." Of course, Mencia's Latin lover moves are no match for a dude who speaks the language of Bud Light.

"We wanted to take this spot to the next level and the best way to do that was to take Carlos and
his students out of the classroom and into a bar," Koch says. "Our favorite students from last year are on board and we've added a few new ones. Of course, we brought back our 'Bood Light' guy, who has the last line - and laugh - in the spot."

While the director and agency creatives devised numerous comic touches prior to the shoot, the on-set chemistry produced many of the best moments. "Once we could actually watch Carlos interact with the students, a lot of great ideas immediately jumped out at us," says Koch.

The success on-set led to an embarrassment of riches in the edit. "We had a lot of choices, almost too many," Koch muses. "It became a real challenge to pick the best moments and fit them in the :30 format."

So what will become of the gems that linger on the cutting room floor? "Well, we love the final cut," says Koch, "but we also think the stuff we left out could find an audience on the Internet."

Client: Anheuser - Busch
Product: Bud Light
Spot Title: "Language of Love"

Air Date: February 3, 2008 

Agency: LatinWorks Marketing
CEO/Managing Partner: Manny Flores
President/Chief Creative: Sergio Alcocer
Copywriter(s): Michael Page, Carter Pagel
Art Director(s): Seth Taylor, Jedd Oberly
Sr. Account Supervisor: Allison Freund
Producer: Elizabeth Spiva

Editorial Company: Cutters (LA)
Editor: John Dingfield
Assistant Editors: Aki Johnson, Virginie Strub
Executive Producer: Nicole Visram
Producer: Karen Vargas

Telecine: The Syndicate
Colorist/Artist: Beau Leon

Online: The Syndicate
Artist(s): Verdi Sevenhuysen, Mike Ek

Music & Sound Design: Razorhead Music
Executive Producer: Rob Filomena
Sound Design and Mix: Luis Felipe Herrera
5.1 Surround Mixing: Kurt Upper

Additional Mix: POP Sound
Mixer: Stephen Dickson
Assistant Mixer: Nick Bozzone
Producer: Erin Reilly

Editor John Dingfield of Cutters LA has Carlos Mencia to thank for the long hours he put in on Super Bowl spot "Language of Love", created via LatinWorks/Austin and directed by Chris Koch of Konk Pictures. "There was so much great footage, we cut the spot about 20 different ways," Dingfield recalls. "Aside from Mencia, who can be counted on to be consistently funny, the supporting actors were all fantastic at improv, so we had a ton of takes to choose from."

In the spot, Mencia asserts that a foreign accent is the way to a woman's heart; turns out, Bud Light is a safer bet.
 

Dingfield adds that director Koch's approach to the shoot offered numerous ways to open an close the spot. "It wound up being really fun, since we were able to play with structure, tone, and performance," he says. While this was his first time working with Koch, Dingfield notes that the two fell into a very comfortable collaboration. "Chris has a great comic sensibility, and a great eye for what cuts well," Dingfield asserts. "And the footage shows a wide range of humor, from subtle scenes to over-the-top comedy."

In addition to a wealth of footage, Dingfield also enjoyed a great degree of mobility. "One of the best things about cutting this spot is the flexibility I had by editing on my laptop," he says. "The commercial was shot in LA , but I worked on it in four cities, including Austin, where I met and worked with the agency. We made the final revisions in LA. On the road, I could wake up in the middle of the night with an idea, go over to my desk, and make the cut right away."

The project broke during the Super Bowl XXLII and is airing now.

Cutters has offices in LA and Chicago. 

Agency: LatinWorks Marketing
CEO/Managing Partner: Manny Flores
President/Chief Creative: Sergio Alcocer
Copywriter(s): Michael Page, Carter Pagel
Art Director(s): Seth Taylor, Jedd Oberly
Sr. Account Supervisor: Allison Freund
Producer: Elizabeth Spiva

Editorial Company: Cutters LA
Editor: John Dingfield
Assistant Editors: Aki Johnson, Virginie Strub
Executive Producer: Nicole Visram
Producer: Karen Vargas

Telecine: The Syndicate
Colorist/Artist: Beau Leon

Online: The Syndicate
Artist(s): Verdi Sevenhuysen, Mike Ek

Music & Sound Design: Razorhead Music
Executive Producer: Rob Filomena
Sound Design and Mix: Luis Felipe Herrera
5.1 Surround Mixing: Kurt Upper

Additional Mix: POP Sound
Mixer: Stephen Dickson

LOS ANGELES, CA, February 1, 2008 - Director Mark Simmons has completed "Engine City", produced in-house at Fox Sports and promoting NASCAR's 2008 season on the network. The promo will air during the Super Bowl telecast this coming Sunday.

Simmons, repped for spots by LA-based Looking Glass Films, has directed numerous award-winning specs for Adidas, Asics, PlayStation, and Evian, and is no stranger to sports-event promotion: Simmons co-directed spots for the MLB 2007 All-Star Game, one of Fox's flagship events, working with baseball's biggest stars and one of the industries most prevalent production companies this commercial is receiving outstanding critical acclaim. He has been responsible for countless network and channel launches, maintaining and introducing station branding and image.

The cars are running out full-throttle, jockeying back and forth for position, all the while trying not to get smashed by pistons, sliced into sushi by fans, or fried by a wave electricity in spark plug alley. The piece is so intense and visceral, viewers can almost taste the smoke as the cars roar past.

Numerous TV show openers and documentaries are also counted among Simmons' directorial efforts, including the award-winning Ibiza Uncovered, Lawrence Dallaglio-The England Season, Beyond El Rocco and the 6 Nations Event titles.

Simmons' dedication to his craft reflects his diverse background and extends beyond borders: a native of Australia, educated in the UK, and now a resident of Los Angeles, he spent six months in Asia promoting film and television production. He continues to round out his spot repertoire with music videos and short films, and on the feature front is currently developing a black comedy which he plans to direct this year.

Client: Fox Sports, NASCAR

Spot Title: "Engine City"

Air Date: February 3, 2008 

Fox Sports Creative Directors: Mark Simmons/Jason Scott
Fox Sports Art Directors: Mark Simmons/Jason Scott
Fox Sports EVP Marketing: Eric Markgraf
Fox Sports SVP/Creative Director: Robert Gottlieb
Fox Sports Executive Producer: Bill Battin

Director: Mark Simmons 

Editor: Kirk Smith
Sound Design: Mic Brooling

James Gartner directs this music video-style makeover ad in which country icon Reba McEntire - teaming up with Hallmark and Leo Burnett on a Valentine's Day CD - tells the tale of a "Beauty Shop Boyfriend" who cleans up nice for the love of his life.

Client: Hallmark
Spots Title(s): "Beauty Shop Boyfriend"
First Air Date: 2/1/08

Agency: Leo Burnett
Executive Creative Director: Tim Pontarelli
Art Director: Jim Genell
Copywriter: John Nosalik
VP, Content Architect: Tom Keramidas

Production Company: GARTNER
Director: James Gartner
DP: Tom Olgeirsson
EP(s): Rich Carter, Don Block
Producer: Roger Petrusson

Editorial: The Whitehouse
Editor: Angelo Valencia

Song: “Love Revival” by Reba McEntire

Telecine: Company 3
Shoot Location: Los Angeles