Cutters' Joel Marcus Tells Stories Around the Water Cooler for Microsoft (Artists in Advertising)

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.

microsoft ride envy 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 microsoft pirate 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."

Advertising Agency: McCann-Erickson / San Francisco, CA
ACD/Writers: Doug Green & Tom Geary
ACD/Art Directors: Michael Furlong & John Reid
Broadcast Producer: Ted Meyer

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

Comments (7)

andrew brown:

Hi
I would like to contact Joel Marcus if possible - we met in Tuscany in 1996 while i was on my honeymoon - love to know how he is getting on and meet up in London or LA for a beer

Very grateful if you can help
Cheers
Andrew

Posted by andrew brown | December 20, 2008 7:06 AM

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