The Reel Newsletter

The Reel is dead ... LONG LIVE THE REEL

2009-09-04T11:52:00.003+01:00

Dear blog fans, we're pained to announce that reelnewsletter.blogspot.com has died...

...but don't worry, 'cause we're...

...with the blog in our BRAND NEW SITE

NewsReel 28/08/09

2009-08-28T13:13:00.013+01:00

Saussey becomes Transparent

Award winning Kiwi comedy director Steve Saussey joins Transparent in London for UK and European representation. Steve began his career as an Agency creative, however decided to direct himself after all of his ideas were ruined! Steve has won awards for New Zealand's 'Axis Awards' and shot commercials for Heinz and McDonalds.

If you cant get enough of the Kiwi wonder - look here:

http://www.transparentuk.com/downloads/saussey_showreel.mov

Johnathan Dennis Joins Feel

Director JONATHAN DENNIS, a newcomer to commercials, has announced his decision to join FEEL FILMS for UK commercials representation.

Jonathan has had a hugely successful career as one of the UK’s most in-demand and awarded TV promo directors. In 1998 Jonathan joined Sky Television, where he directed award-winning campaigns for Sky Sports. He subsequently worked for the BBC, Red Bee Media and Channel4, winning a string of the most coveted industry gongs for his success in commercials, trailers and idents.

Jonathan joins Feel Films from Serious Pictures, with the intention of a long-standing collaboration on film and commercials projects with Feel that both have a strong passion for. The move made sense long-term for Jonathan.

Dennis gave us the real reason for Joining Feel: “ I joined Feel because it’s closer to Oxford Circus Tube station than most other companies - I could have gone to Partisan but it was a bugger to find”.

Phillip Paget becomes Ad Forum CEO

AdForum.com, a leading global services provider for the advertising industry, recently announced the appointment of Philippe Paget as big kahuna and CEO Worldwide.

Philippe Paget succeeds Christopher Wynne, who has resigned after six years within AdForum.com. Philippe Paget has twenty years of experience in the advertising, media, and internet industries. Which is a lot. In fact he has more experience than we have had hot dinners. And that’s also a lot.

Carlos Ulloa gets Tooled up

Tool of North America is pleased to announce the recent signing of industry-leading Flash and 3D developer Carlos Ulloa to their digital practice. The London-based Ulloa's signature works include the creation of the revolutionary open source application Papervision3D, the leading real-time Flash 3D engine.

Since the library's debut, Papervision3D has vaulted into the mainstream, its universal penetration allowing it to become central to prominent campaigns for Sony BRAVIA, Renault, Absolut, Red Bull, and Nike. Using Papervision3D and Unity, Ulloa builds interactive 3D experiences for the Web and iPhone applications.

"Signing with Tool will allow me to focus on creativity," noted Ulloa. "I like the way Tool portrays their people and the directors. The approach is really nice, they take care of their people."

Art that is cool AND square…

Square Art – Golden square posts’ long running art comp returns for the fifteenth time on the 26th of November 2009 with art world endorsements from White Cube artist, Harland Miller, and the legendary Slade School of Fine Art–UCL.

Square Art is the extra-curricular showcase for talented and artistic commercial industry insiders. To coincide with Golden Square’s 10th anniversary, this year’s theme is ‘Ten’. Submissions are encouraged across all media – paintings, videos and sculptures; and the show is open to anyone employed in advertising. Previous entrants include advertising heavyweights like CHI founder, Charles Inge; and last year’s judging was by WCRS president Robin Wight and Sunday Times art critic Waldemar Januszczak.

This year’s Square Art sees the show’s advertising roots stretch even further into the art world. Celebrated artist and writer, Harland Miller, and head of undergraduate painting at Slade School of Fine Art–UCL, Andrew Stahl, will act as the show’s curators. They will be joined by an advertising luminary whose name will be announced soon. Finally, the 2009 show will hang adland’s artistry side-by-side with Slade’s finest in a move to expose the fine art school’s fresh talent to the commercials industry whilst providing young inspiration to advertising artists.

Ewan MacLeod, Golden Square’s executive producer, said: “Each year the show gets stronger and stronger. But this is the first time that we’ve had such tangible connections with the art establishment. It’s exciting to see Square Art grow into a fully paid-up member of the art world and give the commercials industry the artistic recognition it deserves.”

Submissions are free and open to anyone who works in the commercials industry. Deadline for entries is 1st November 2009. For more submissions information email Karen Scott on karens@goldensq.com or go to http://www.goldensq.com/squareArt

AND FINAALYYY…

For those of you that think you’re good? This kid is better… No… Really… he is.

Neurosonics Audiomedical Labs Inc.

2009-08-28T11:02:00.005+01:00

Every so often something drops into The Reel’s heaving mailbox that blows our collective tiny minds and makes us feel all funny inside like a sneeze but eight times better. And it happened this week. And it was marvellous.

Fresh from Partizan’s charmed creativity lab Darkroom come Chris Cairns' (he of the magnificent Cadbury’s Crème Eggs spots) latest, a short film made in collaboration with world champion turntablists Scratch Perverts, Foreign Beggars and Shlomo with sound design by Will Cohen.

We managed to grab Mr Cairns for a few questions about the production – but be warned, it seems that excessive exposure to beatjuggling has warped his mind somewhat.

How did the collaboration with the Scratch Perverts and Foreign Beggars come about?

Blackmail and bribery respectively.

Who came up with the concept? Was it something you’d considered before?

My mum. Once before.

Any thoughts of turning the short into a promo?

I like the idea of a gnarled A&R man, rendered destitute by music theft, exhuming the corpses of his favourite historical musicians and making biomechanical attachments from their heads. In his dilapidated basement Buddy Rich's head comes to life on a pristine robot body and proceeds to chew out the man's young assistant. We recognise the assistant as QBert who, after cracking his neck, nods in time with Mister Rich's beat and starts cutting up Biggie and Bob Marley on the turntables.

You have pretty much visually explained the art of turntablism and beatboxing in one fell swoop – which is no mean feat! How does that make you feel?

Like Rocky after the Russian training montage. He's knocked out an on-the-payroll journeyman, I've felled a big tree.

‘Neurosonics Audiomedical Labs Inc.is getting loads of attention, and has already been screamed about in The Metro and Hype Beast, which means the great unwashed love it now. Did you make the name of the short deliberately difficult to say?

It was a toss-up between that and Cool Internet Scratching and Beatboxing Video.

Who was the best at scratching? (come on you must have a favourite)

Anthony Dickenson, the first AD and my erstwhile lover, had a rash on his face and wins hands down.

Scratch Perverts vs Foreign Beggars? Who wins?

Irresistible Force versus Immovable object. Experience versus enthusiasm. Stig's a big lad but I reckon Tony Vegas could give a good account of himself in a fight.

You vs Tom Vek? Who wins?

Tom has better hair than me. I'm better at cricket than Tom.

And finally, have you got anything exciting in the pipeline you can tell us about?

A haircut.

Lovely.

Many thanks to Chris and the team at Partizan for the interview. Check out the short in-situ on the microsite here - www.neurosonicsaudiomedical.com

NewsReel 21/08/09

2009-08-21T12:31:00.003+01:00

Give us your news. Give us your news. We’ll swap it for … er … coverage. And friendly emails. Promise. Sling it to this – editor@thereel.net.

Got boobs?

Hey you! Are you a girl? Do you have all the relevant girl parts? Well Grey Amsterdam is looking for you. The top notch agency is creating a new TV and print campaign for the launch of Pink Ribbon Magazine NL, published by Sanoma Publishers - a charity glossy magazine from which all profits are directly donated to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, Netherlands.

The print work is being created by Ian Rankin. The TV campaign is directed by Chris Palmer of Gorgeous Productions. Launch is end of September. Everyone (and I mean everyone) involved is giving their time free because it's for breast cancer awareness. ECDs (and all round top blokes) Colin Lamberton and Seyoan Vela asked and people climbed on board. Great stuff!!

Now here’s the nub - do you want to have a role in the TV commercial? And so contribute to the fight against breast cancer? In that case Grey are looking for you. It’s a special role - only your breasts are on TV. The team are looking for hundreds of women who want to take part - all ages, all shapes and sizes.

All you need to do is send an e-mail ASAP to pinkribbon@groencasting.nl and include your name, age and cup size. Filming takes place in Amsterdam this month.

The Reel think this is a great sounding spot for a top charity, and would gladly take part if only man-boobs were accepted. Chris even knows his cup size!

MySpace meets The Munsters

The latest work from digital marketing superstars The Viral Factory promoting the Samsung ST550 digital camera is a film inspired by the internet meme ‘Beware the Angles’ which reveals the truth behind some people’s very flattering profile pictures. The campaign uses YouTube Hot Spots to interlink six different films into one, each with a different scenario and character, first showing their ‘good’ angle, then revealing the ugly truth. The different characters include a witch, zombies and an alien, who conceal their identities in a variety of cunning ways.

Samsung has done research showing that a high percentage of photos are now ‘self-shots,’ which are taken to be put up on social network sites, so the camera incorporates the IE feature – an image screen on the front of the camera as well as the back - meaning the person taking the pictures can take better ‘self-shots’ of themselves and their friends. The Reel are prepping their ugly mugs in anticipation.

Shifty DVDs

‘Shifty’, the feature debut of Between The Eyes director Eran Creevy and producer Rory Aitken is out on DVD next Monday. Here’s what Rory has to say about the film:

Empire gave the DVD another 4 star review, both for the film and for the DVD Extras, and said “it’s thrilling and funny, full of affecting performances and real-life bite… you owe yourself the DVD”.

There are lots of DVD extras, including a Behind-The-Scenes documentary in which I feature (talking nonsense), director’s commentary, and some of our music videos from Between The Eyes. There’s also a special edition DVD, exclusive to HMV, which has more extras such as extended interviews with cast and crew, original script and storyboards, etc.

We had our fingers crossed that it would get into at least one supermarket chain, as this is key for DVDs, and the good news is that it’s in every supermarket chain, and it’s DVD Of The Week next week in Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, and WHSmith, as well as on the “Sainsbury’s Recommends” shelf, and “Empire Recommends” shelf in HMV!

As with the theatrical run of the film, the opening week of the DVD is essential to its success – we think that it could have a long life on DVD as the reaction so far has been so positive (96% on rottentomatoes.com!) – but it needs to kick off in the first week for the retailers to believe in it and get behind it.

There we go. No excuses! Get yourself down HMV on Monday and sly a copy for you and your Mum. She’ll like it … honest!

DiD

Jake Sebastian-Wynne, Director/Senior Editor at Prime Focus has made a short film called DiD, and it looks rather splendid.

The film centres on a man who’s suffering from DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder - like Multiple personality disorder) and is attempting to climb a mountain to throw his dead mother's ashes off the top. His other personalities have other ideas though.

Interested? Check out the trailer.

…and finally

Rocky … Turkish style

Indie - Serious about comedy.

2009-08-20T17:22:00.011+01:00

Pioneering Amsterdam agency INDIE recently launched a new campaign for the Dutch brand Bolletje Knakerbrod and decided to chuck in a refreshing twist on the agency model to boot. (No fear with these guys!)

After the idea of featuring famous comedian André van Duijn in the campaign had been booted round the office for a few days, the INDIE team hit upon the maverick idea of actually including van Duijn in the entire creative process, from start to finish. Why? The only real question for the INDIE team was why not?

In trailblaizing fashion it was out with the standard creative team and in with a famous comedian, producing an interesting new take on the creative model, and a refreshingly new creative environment for the agency team.

We talked to INDIE head honcho Lode Schaffaer about the campaign and how it came together.

The new Knakerbrod campaign was an interesting one… You guys sort of altered the usual agency model for this – how did this come around!??

We are just always on the lookout for a different point of view – it can be very refreshing to get an outside perspective. Working with fresh minds like industrial designers, a comedian, a child-book writer enabled us to escape from traditional advertising patterns.

For us brainless limeys – who was the famous comedian that you involved?

André van Duijn, world famous, but only in the Netherlands...

Do you think that the outcome was better as a result?

The outcome was less predictable. We were able to create a new way of integrating packaging, online and also took a new approach to TV ads, opening ourselves up and allowing different animators and directors from Holland, the US and the UK to work together more freely.

Is this something that Indie is keen to further / pioneer?

This way of working - being open to fresh talent from outside the advertising world - is at the heart of Indie. This is only the beginning. The more we can veer off the predictable pathway of advertising, the brighter the future for us and our clients.

Who else would you love to work with!?!

Depends on the project. We did a banking project with Noreena Hertz and now we are talking to musicians, spiritual thinkers and entrepreneurs for a Ben and Jerry’s project. But artists like the people from Greyworld (http://www.greyworld.org) are on my list…

Do you think that the industry is still afraid of change?

I’m afraid that the Industry is only human. Although we say we are looking for new ways, a lot of people are still holding on to safety. We say Safe is Unsafe. Open-up to new ways of thinking, new media and new refreshing approaches. In these times of crisis it’s logical to have a tendency towards more conservative ways of working, but that will only make things worse.

Can you think of any campaigns where the traditional industry model has obviously suffocated / stifled creativity?

All the campaigns that I can’t think of right now… I’m afraid there are quite a lot of them. They offer nothing to make them memorable.

We love innovation at The Reel – what is next? Excite us!!

Well, that would be telling… you’ll have to just wait and see! But, you will definitely be eating more ice-cream next year!

The Rise Of The Artists...

2009-08-13T17:06:00.008+01:00

More than ever people who have honed their skills with a pen, paintbrush, spraycan, a bit of paper or canvas are turning their static creations into moving works of art. If you can illustrate or draw odds are that you can also direct – the visual mediums or artwork and moving image are closer than they have ever been.

As brands increasingly associate with famed artists for a mixture of credibility, interesting content and style that they simply cannot conjure for themselves, the trend of artist / brand partnership appears to becoming a catalyst for illustrators and artists shifting up into moving image direction.

Well known illustrator and toymaker James Jarvis made just such a gearshift with the recent ‘onwards’ project for Nike. Jarvis’ interest in running and Nike’s interest in Jarvis catapulted the pen wielding Englishman into the world of animation.

Working with Shynola’s Richard Kenworthy, Jarvis aimed to maintain his graphic style and hand drawn aesthetic in the same fashion that Shynola had done for Scottish nutcase and artist turned director David Shrigley in the brilliant ‘Good Song’.

Another similar situation had been created in the Nike IAM1 project (featured a few months ago on The Reel blog) with graffiti artist INSA producing a short but brilliant animation for the sports giant.

Alex Pardee is yet another artist-turned-director who uses the interesting medium of the Unreal 3 video game engine (as used in Gears of War, Unreal Tournament 3 and GOW2) to create the world his character ‘Chadam’ inhabits.

To give us a bit more of an understanding of the artist / director realm, we turned to the Picasso Picture’s wonderful Claire Tredgett. Picasso are the undisputed world heavyweights in illustrator / directors, and are home to the endless draw-scribble-film-animate talents of tokyoplastic, Finkbom, Pyjamax and Laundry! to name but a few.

Picasso is a brilliant example of a production company that actively seeks out artists / illustrators who are also directors. Was this always the way at Picasso?

We are very lucky at Picasso to have always worked with director’s who are talented in both illustration and animation. From our pre-digital days we’ve been drawn to directors with a strong design sense – with directors such as Damian Gascoigne and Steve May, post digital tokyoplastic and Griff impressing us as much with their design portfolios as their films. Many of our more recent signings, such as Julia Pott, Lesley Barnes, Laundry and Motomichi Nakamura find that their enterprising and commercial attitude to their design work brings them as much attention as their animation.

Do you think the two go hand in hand? (art and direction)

Not necessarily, as any technically proficient director with a creative eye can direct and animate another illustrator’s style. However, there is definitely a tradition for an animation director to carve out a career as an illustrator first and subsequently become consumed by the desire to see their creations come to life. Animation tends to be a very personal craft, with a lot of the director’s sensibility reflected in characters and illustrations they create. I believe some of our director’s best work is created when they have a personal investment in the design.

Do clients ever approach you looking to turn an older piece of illustration or an illustration style into moving imagery?

This definitely crops up and, as I mentioned before, it’s something easily achieved. However, more often than not we’re given illustrations as a reference point with a view to creating a similar look which embraces our director’s own unique style and gives it a contemporary feel.

You can effectively animate with photoshop and the adobe suite, do you think the advancement of this technology is pushing artists and illustrators to think along moving image lines and experiment?

I think this is definitely happening more and more these days. Technology is becoming so much more accessible and experimenting with software is as easy to do as playing around with pencil and paper. I’m very excited about this, animation is ever evolving and artists coming into the business with a new perspective can only be a good thing.

For more illustration and direction goodness – jump over to http://www.picassopictures.com/ now!

Thanks to Claire for the super last minute interview!

NewsReel 14/08/09

2009-08-13T13:36:00.014+01:00

London flooded with Pirates...

Pirata the international high end digital production agency (and blood thirsty group of buccaneers) based in London – has just completed a significant recruitment and expansion drive to accommodate its recent buoyant growth. The agency’s new ‘pirates’ hail from the likes of Dare, Glue, Unit9 and Tonic and bring with them a fat haul of booty in the shape of numerous industry awards.

Since launching in December 2008 and partnering with agencies and ad design specialists like AMV BBDO and This Is Real Art, Pirata has undergone exponential growth which led to seven key new personnel hires and a need for a bigger boat (bigger premises). New talent signings over the last two months include:

Adrian Rowbotham, hailing from Dare and Glue, who joins as Technical Director. Rowbotham received a D&AD nomination for his work on the Brahma launch.

Nick Wavish joins as Senior Designer from Unit9 where he was Interactive Director. He won OneShow Gold, FWA site of the day and a Cyber Lions nomination for ‘Got Milk?’ and Cravendale Milk Matters campaigns.

Mark Evans joins as senior producer. He previously worked at Dare where he looked after the Vodafone account whilst ratcheting up Campaign Digital Awards and Revolution awards for Vodafone and Becks.

James Booth joins as a Designer from Tonic where his work for the COI’s Cyberbullying and Frank Class A campaigns earned him a Campaign Digital Big Award and a Creative Showcase runner up accolade.

From August 2009, Pirata’s shiny new ship will be: 6 Playhouse Court, 62 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE10AT

www.piratalondon.com

It’s a BUG’s life…

While some of you might be in the middle of summer holidays, the people at BUG Towers are hard at work creating the next episode in our series of music video extravaganzas. As usual BUG will be bringing double the fun in September with 2 shows, both hosted by the brilliant Adam Buxton, both on Friday nights and both at 6.30pm.

The first show will be on Friday September 18th and feature an interviewwith a leading light of the video world (no clues as of yet). The Director’s Cut show will follow on Friday September 25th.

To book for one or both of the BUG 15 shows, call the BFI SouthbankBox office on 020 7928 3232 or click here to book via the BFI website.

MOFilm Sponsors the 53rd London Film Festival... and launches another competition!

MOFILM has announced it is to be a Main Sponsor of The Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival taking place from 14-29 October 2009.

Following the success of the MOFILM Cannes Lions User Generated Content competition with Spike Lee, MOFILM is launching its second online competition with some of the world's biggest brands including AT&T, Best Buy, Campbell's, Hewlett Packard, McDonald's, Nokia, PepsiCo (Pepsi Max) and Unilever (OMO).

Each brand will provide a creative brief on the MOFILM website http://www.mofilm.com for a limited period.

Entrants will create a 90 second advertisement based on the creative brief and upload it to the MOFILM website before the closing date. The competition is open to anyone over the age of 16, with awards and prizes to be selected by a brand representatives and a distinguished group of independent judges.

Andy Baker, CEO of MOFILM said "We are thrilled to be working with the London Film Festival and so many exciting brands to provide this global showcase for ordinary filmmakers and the MOFILM community.

It's fantastic that London, one of the most prestigious international film festivals in the world, is supporting emerging talent in this way."MOFILM and its partners are offering more than $200,000 in prizes and an opportunity to "walk the red carpet" with celebrities and leaders in the film community at the London Film Festival. The overall winning advertisement will also be played prior to the MOFILM Gala at the Festival.

The MOFILM competition opens today and closes October 5, 2009 at Noon GMT.

Brand winners will be announced on October 12 and the top three finalists selected on October 20 at the Festival. All brand winners will be flown to London to experience the 53rd Times London Film Festival, with the grand prize winner walking the red carpet at the MOFILM Gala.

For complete competition rules and to enter, please visit MOFILM at www.mofilm.com

NewsReel 07/08/09

2009-08-06T16:07:00.000+01:00

Hey you! Got news for us? Chuck it at this – editor@thereel.net.

The Sweet Shop gets Rudy and Levene

We love a bit of Sweet Shop action, so the latest news from the tasty production company got us all excited. International hothouse production company The Sweet Shop has just expanded its London operation with the hiring of Rudy Taguri as Director's Representative and Andrew Levene as Producer.

Speaking on the move, Taguri commented, ‘I’ve admired The Sweet Shop’s talent pool and quality of work across the globe for some time now and the chance to amplify its already rapid success in London, is something I’m definitely looking forward too.

The move re-unites Taguri with former colleague Candice Chubb, now MD of the Sweet Shop. Chubb has taken time to pick who she thinks to be the perfect team to help drive the London office forward. She comments; ‘I am thrilled to be welcoming Rudy and Andrew to The Sweet Shop, having them on board cements and furthers the strength of structure in our London office. We are getting interest from some amazing new talent, who see an advantage to how we are doing things differently, the local support we provide along with our global model makes us unique. It’s not hard for directors to see how the opportunities of our strengths beyond the UK base of operations will further their careers. Having Rudy and Andrew with me is further testament to our progression, I am truly excited about the time ahead'.

Great stuff! Looks like Rudy can’t fail (to work for good production companies). Ha ha ha … oh.

http://thesweetshop.tv/

JWT gets PB to DCD

JWT London announced this week the appointment of Paul Banham as Digital Creative Director. Paul brings to JWT 16 years of outstanding marketing experience and is one of the elite few creative directors to have won awards across both the on and off-line worlds.

During his career Paul has worked at world-class agencies such as AIS, Agency.com and WCRS Arnold Worldwide, where he has held senior creative positions, working on a raft of multi-award winning campaigns.

Paul's extensive experience in branding, design, integrated and digital have given him a unique perspective and approach. He has won over 130 creative awards, these include the likes of D&AD, Cannes, Euro Best, The One Show, Clios, Creative Review - The Annual, New Media Age, Revolution, Eyeblaster, IAB Creative Showcase, The Viral Awards and the LIAs.

http://www.jwt.co.uk/

Maxim goes Partizan

Partizan has just signed (to much coo-ing and ahhhi-ing) 23 year old director Maxim Zhestkov. Born in Russia, at the age of six he was given his first computer, a ZX Spectrum, and devoted his time to drawing huge and very detailed illustrations. He was also a keen gamer, and believes his enthusiasm for design and CG effects can be traced back to those days. After high school Maxim undertook a degree in architecture, which he followed by studying graphic design, fine art, illustration and sculpture.

He says: “There are no limits in graphics - everything you can imagine is possible. But I have to say I still love architecture. It all started with 2d illustrations, that smoothly turned into 3d illustrations and spaces. Then I developed a passion for architecture and graphic design. Then I realized that the most important thing is video!”

To check out his latest (frankly awesome) MTV work head to his showreel or look forward to the imminently shipping July Reel DVDs.

And finally…

We’re sure you crazy, web-savvy Reelers are all over this already, but for the uninitiated here is the latest ‘Autotune The News’. Amazing!

Fans Get The Power...

2009-08-06T11:28:00.007+01:00

Handing power to your fanbase is not the newest of ideas in the promo world.

Welsh rockers Feeder tapped into the power of their fans way back in 2004 with the promo for ‘Just A Day’.

The video for ‘Just a day’ was such a big hit, it became an inspiration to Jetplane Landing and Canadian rock band the Barenaked Ladies, for their videos to "Brave Gravity" and "Wind it Up" respectively.
A clutch of promos have returned to this concept and placed the all important fan in the driving seat this month. But now, with the rapid advancement of online and interactive technology, the fans are getting a bit more in the way of fun and games to fuel their devotion.

Indie wailers Bloc Party have gone the way of crowd-sourcing content for their latest video. Made up of mostly fan-submitted mobile phone footage, the video for the group’s song Ares (Villains Remix) delivers a brilliant naïve feel and pulls together a wonderful cross-section of different ideas.

FANtastic! (ha ha).

The new video for The Cold War Kids ‘I’ve seen enough’ has been released with an interactive online version of the Promo. Fans can utilise a simple colour co-ordinated toolbar to change the actual audio as well as muting and un-muting drum sections, vocals, bass and keys. In this fashion fans can almost re-mix the song themselves on the fly, playing around with it until they settle on a version that they like.

Go play here.

More interactive-promo tomfoolery comes from Blac Ionica and Agency Devilfish who designed and directed an imaginative augmented reality music video for young new Columbia Records artist Julian Perretta.

Built around his track "Ride My Star", the video is a 3d trip through Julian’s imagination as he searches for his girl. Using a combination of Flash and Papervision to create the 3D scenarios. This was then developed in Augmented Reality, which uses Flash, your webcam and a special printed "icon" (tracker) to create a fully immersive, interactive video.
The pop-up book designs were created by London based directors Blac Ionica. Zerofractal Studios from Colombia programmed the video in Papervision and Flash, developed and created the accompanying interface.

This is the first time that Augmented Reality has been used on this scale in conjunction with a recording artist, and more than likely will spark the trend in Pop Promos. The icon/tracker will be handed out as part of a flyer at dates on Julian's tour supporting Girls Aloud. It will also be available to download Julian Perretta’s website.

BBH labs in NY have also turned invention up to eleven in the new promo for Japanese post rock band Sour in their new promo ‘Hibi No Neiro’. Managing to produce the video around their day jobs at BBH, the production team started by posting on fan forums asking for people to volunteer for the new music video. Incredibly interest sprung from all over the globe – and the fans took the project whilst the BBH team provided the working framework.

A few months of tight planning and a detailed animatic later – the volunteer fans were ready to pitch in on the promo via the wonder of the webcam. The result is some pretty inspiring stuff considering the budget was a massive $0 and the directing team were based in NY and the band live in Tokyo…

Complaining promo directors…

Be horribly afraid… fan power is here to stay…

http://sour-web.com/

For more znazzy techy world-conquering info like this be sure to check contagious magazine's wildfire section (which we occasionally write for as well...).

Its RAD!!

Rushes Soho Shorts '09 - The Winners!!

2009-07-31T10:38:00.004+01:00

The Rushes Soho Shorts held it’s Awards Ceremony last night, and what a grand shindig it was!! Presented, as every, by Word legend Terry Christian, the snazzy show in the Curzon Soho announced the deserving winners in each of the eight catagories to a rapt audience. But enough of our guff, who won what?

RSSF LONG FORM
WINNER - Romans 12:20 Directed by The Shammasian Brothers (UK)
NOMINEE - Boy Directed by Joe Morris, Picture Palace North (UK)
NOMINEE - Danzak Directed by Gabriela Yepes , Kunay Films (Peru)

RSSF INTERNATIONAL
WINNER - Charlie Thistle Directed by Bragi Schut, Gallantyne Pictures (USA)
NOMINEE - Next Floor Directed by Denis Villeneuve, PHi Group Inc (Canada)
NOMINEE - 18 Segundos Directed by Zchariass & MacGregor (Spain)

RSSF MUSIC VIDEO
WINNER - Prodigy: Warrior Dance Directed by Corin Hardy, Academy Films (UK)
NOMINEE - Coldplay: Life in Technicolour II Directed by Dougal Wilson, Colonel Blimp (UK)
NOMINEE - No Corras Tanto (Take It Easy) Directed by Cesar Diaz (Independent) (Spain)

RSSF BROADCAST DESIGN
WINNER - BBC ‘Journey To The East’ Directed by Jamie Hewlett & Pete Candeland, Passion Pictures (UK)
NOMINEE - Audi 'Unboxed' Directed by Aaron Duffy & Russell Brooke, Passion Pictures (UK)
NOMINEE - BBC 'Medieval Mind Trip' Directed by James Price, Strange Beast (UK)

RSSF DOCUMENTARY
WINNER - Avatar Days Directed by Gavin Kelly, Piranha Bar (Ireland)
NOMINEE - The Madman and the Cathedral Directed by James Rogan, Mix UP Film/ Brit Doc (Spain/ UK)
NOMINEE - Irene Directed by Lindsay Goodall, Blindside Productions (UK)

RSSF ANIMATION
WINNER - This Way Up Directed by Smith & Foulkes, Nexus (UK)
NOMINEE - Txt Island Directed by Chris Gavin, Tandem (UK)
NOMINEE - This Is Where We Live Directed by Ben Falk & Josiah Newbolt, Asylum Films & APT (UK)

RSSF SHORT FILM
WINNER - Washdays Directed by Simon Neal, Deeply Vale Productions (UK)
NOMINEE - Post It Love Directed by Si & Ad, Academy Films (UK)
NOMINEE - Hammerhead Directed by Sam Donovan (Independent) (UK)

RSSF NEWCOMER
WINNER - Tight Jeans Directed by Destiny Ekaragha, Pollibee Pictures (UK)
NOMINEE - Quietus Directed by George Taylor, Lucky Red Ball (UK)
NOMINEE - I Stood Up Directed by Lucy Tcherniak & James Willis, Partizan (UK)

Our congratulations to the champs, and to Joe and all at Rushes for another top-notch programme celebrating all things short. If you want to know more, check out the website - www.sohoshorts.com – or wait for our fabulous Feature issue next month with everything short you could ever want … and more!!

NewsReel 31/07/09

2009-07-31T09:48:00.008+01:00

Moves…

Pereira & O’Dell gets Kaplan to write the script.

San Francisco’s Pereira & O'Dell, the big kahuna cross-disciplinary ad agency recently announced the addition of Joel Kaplan as senior writer. Kaplan will work across accounts and report directly to Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder, PJ Pereira. Most recently a writer with Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Kaplan served on the team responsible for the breakthrough, award winning work on Burger King's "Whopper Sacrifice.”

Whopping!

www.pereiraodell.com

JWT appoints a Guy as CEO...

JWT is pleased to announce the appointment of Guy Hayward as Chief Executive Officer of JWT in the UK. Reporting to Toby Hoare, Chairman and CEO of JWT Europe, Hayward will be responsible for the JWT Group in the UK where he will oversee and help to develop the Group's integrated proposition. He intends to put long-term creative brand building at the top of his agenda and sees preparing the agency for the future as one of his challenges. "Our business has entered a totally new era and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to help lead JWT into this."

Awards Awards Awards!

Kinsale Sharks 09’

Call for entry dates for this year’s Kinsale Sharks have been announced…
…so people who fancy being (f)in with a chance of an award better get all their stuff in before the 7th of August… Either send it or not… The choice is jaws…

...groan…

Spikes announce Digital, Direct & Sales Promotion Jury.

That’s right – the spiky ones have started announcing their juries for this years awards ceremony. So far the Digital, Direct & Sales Promotion Jury looks like this…

Fred Koblinger, Chief Executive Officer, PKP Proximity, Austria - Jury President

Dirk Eschenbacher, Executive Creative Director, Managing Partner, Tribal DDB

Worldwide, China

Atul Nath, Managing Director, Candid Marketing, India

Alvin Lim, Creative Director, OgilvyOne worldwide, Hong Kong

Morihiko Hasebe, Senior Creative Director, Hakuhodo, Japan

Alex J Kwon, Interactive Creative Director, Cheil Worldwide, Korea

Ronald Ng, Chief Creative Officer, BBDO/Proximity, Malaysia

Victor Ng, Executive Creative Director, Euro RSCG Singapore, Singapore

Clinton Manson, Executive Creative Director Regional (Asia), Lowe Bangkok, ThailandHashem

Bajwa, Executive Director, Strategy & Innovation, TBWA\ Worldwide, USA

The winners will be announced and honoured at the Spikes Asia Awards Ceremony, the culmination of the newly relaunched three-day Spikes Asia Festival, taking place at Suntec, Singapore, between 16 and 18 September 2009.

To submit entries, register to attend or for more information on Spikes Asia 2009, visit www.spikes.asia.

Picasso Pictures sign motion graphic superstars, Laundry! for exclusive UK representation.

Fabbo production company Picasso Pictures are delighted to announce the addition of new directing collective Laundry! to their UK roster. Laundry! come to Picasso having already established themselves as one of the most talented and prolific motion graphic directors in the US and apparently they also do a mean dry-clean.Creative Directors Tony Liu and PJ Richardson co-founded Laundry! 3 years ago and have established a unique multimedia studio committed to integrating art and innovation.

They are dedicated to bringing their unique illustrative flavour, narrative point of view and distinct sense of humour to each brief they undertake.

Stonking.

A Mainframe gets in the Duck…

From August 2009 independent UK motion shop, Mainframe, will be taking their unique brand of cutting edge animation to the US market via a tie-up with LA-based Duck Studios.

Duck Studios specializes in 2D/3D computer animation, cel animation, character and illustrative design, compositing, digital ink and paint, live action integration, stop motion and live action. Mainframe’s 20 London and Manchester producers, designers, 2D and 3D animators will be represented as a directing collective across the US from Duck’s LA home as well as its east coast and mid-west sales reps.

After the brilliant TOMAS campaign from Mainframe – this should be a neat little partnership!
Great stuff!

Today IS a good day… For Nike SB…

2009-07-24T10:42:00.004+01:00

Simplicity is often the father of genius.

The new Nike SB television commercial (SB being an acronym for Skateboarding for those of you who don’t get time to shred) ‘Today was a good day’ is a brilliant example of simple genius.

The spot has began to pick up an awful amount of industry heat and a couple of hundred thousand views on YouTube in under just two days, no mean feat for a campaign that doesn’t really cover the most common-or-garden of pursuits.

In fact this is made more impressive by the fact that Nike SB’s history has been anything but a smooth ride

In 1997 Nike launched a skate line, accompanied by a glitzy ad campaign from Goodby Silverstien and Partners which was lauded by the ad community but was wholesale laughed at by skaters worldwide.

The anti-establishment, DIY nature that embodied the skate scene was the first hurdle. Skaters were abhorred by a big multi-national muscling in on their patch, not only that but the cheesy nature of the executions just weren’t going to cut it with the street savvy riders.

After alienating the skate community, Nike had to go back to the drawing board.

Nike's reeducation began in 2000, when Sandy Bodecker, (now the head of Nike Skateboarding) became interested in relaunching the brand as part Nike’s push into action sports. Bodecker determined not to make the same mistakes as before, conceded his lack of knowledge and reached out to the skate community for help.

A knowledgeable hand came in the form of Robbie Jeffers, the hugely well connected manager of the Stussy skate team in California. At first skeptical, Jeffers was eventaully convinced that Nike was in it for the long-haul and he and Nike began to lay down the foundation of the new SB business model.

Nike and Jeffers agreed on three essential points: Nike needed to commit for 5 years, include skaters in the design processes and reissue the mythical Dunk shoe (now a classic iconic shoe for Nike).

In 2006 Nike SB launched a simpler low key execution, this time talking directly to the skate community and featured a world class skater they respected (P-Rod) as the focus. The spot was released to a much more positive response… It looked like the research was beginning to pay off.

Fast forward 11 or so years, three websites and 420 models of skate shoe later and a hugely succesful image for Nike SB has been built on the hard lessons learned by their initial faliure.

Harvest Films Santa Monica and directorial team The Hoffman Brothers, have delivered the newest instalment of the SB saga and can be happy with the fact that they have created a bit of a classic.

Skaters will love the purist street riding as well as a cameo from Lance Mountain, Hip Hop fans will whoop at the inclusion of westcoast superstar Ice Cube and for all others who havent got a clue who any of those cult stars actually are, the narrative played out is interesting enough for even your great Auntie Mabel to like.

So it covers all bases and tickles a multitude of different peoples tastes - which, for what is ostensibly a hardcore skate brand, is pretty impressive.

What lessons can the ad industry peeps take from this tale you ask?

If you want to get your message just right…

…keep it simple.

NewsReel 24/07/09

2009-07-24T10:07:00.009+01:00

Hey gang! Don’t forget, if you want your news to feature in our not-at-all-copy-and-paste-with-a-few-bits-we-sly-in NewsReel just fling it at editor@thereel.net.

B&J get Indie

Amsterdam-based Indie has announced the news that delicious global ice-cream brand Ben & Jerry’s have appointed them, without a pitch, as their lead agency for the Netherlands market. The announcement follows the recent re-launch of Indie as a collaborative and independent hub.

Indie will begin working on the first campaign with immediate effect, the results of which will be launched early 2010. In line with its collaborative nature, Indie has already begun building the best team for the job, drawing from their pool of internal and external talent.

Mark Aink, Managing Partner for Indie, says: “We’re really looking forward to working with Ben & Jerry’s. It’s one of the world’s truly maverick brands with a unique DNA. Added to that, they are extraordinary people to work with. It’s one of the most special assignments we have ever been awarded so we’re raring to get to work.”

Sounds tasty.

Turn It Loose

On Wednesday night The Reel were fortunate enough to attend a special friends and family screening of Partizan’s new b-boy documentary ‘Turn It Loose’. Directed by promo helmer Alastair Siddons, the film follows (in super press release-o-vision) ‘the pulsating world of breakdancing and some of the best B-boys in the world throwing their entire bodies into battling to be number one on the planet’. OK, it’s not strictly ad related (although Red Bull gave the filmmakers full access, loved the darn thing and sponsored the launch in Edinburgh), but the we thought we’d shout about it as the stylish and involving movie should be on each of your ‘Must Watch’ lists.

More info here - http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/whats-on/2009/turn-it-loose

Annex is the Woerd

Annex Films has signed the incredibly talented (and amazingly named) Sil van der Woerd. After studying Fine Arts at the Academy of Art and Design in Arnhem, the Netherlands, Sil made two short films “Duet” and Swim”. “Swim” went global and won several awards. From there he moved to Hollywood to study visual effects at Gnomon to perfect his technique. Sil uses film and mixed new media, live action and dominant soundtracks to express his fictitious, atmospheric worlds … which sounds right up The Reel’s cup of tea street.

Check out the prettiness here and here.

Albion bring two on

Albion London, the UK’s fast-growing independent agency, is gearing up to expand globally and is bringing in two star names to join its board as non-executive directors. John Farrell, who was responsible for all of Publicis Groupe’s specialised agencies and marketing services worldwide will become Albion’s non-executive chairman, working with agency CEO Jason Goodman and the board. Steve Henry, the award-winning joint-founder of HHCL, is joining as non-executive director to mentor Albion’s creative director Nick Darken and his team and help take the agency’s creative output to a new level. They will join a high-powered non-executive board that already includes serial internet entrepreneur, founder of Lovefilm and Index Ventures Partner Saul Klein and former Mindshare CEO Mandy Pooler, who is part of the senior management team at WPP’s Kantar division.

Frood for thought

Integrated marketing network iris has appointed John Frood to the newly created role of planning director for Europe, as the independent agency strengthens its regional management team.

Frood joins this month from Leo Burnett Group, where he was planning director for EMEA, responsible for driving integration across the group, which includes marketing services arm Arc. He will report into global executive planning director Sam Noble and will be responsible for driving new and existing business among iris’ European clients – which include Sony Ericsson, Shell, Heineken and adidas – as well as managing 360 integrated campaigns and building a network of best-in-class planning talent at iris’ offices across Europe.

Disqo goes to the Chappell

Adam Chappell is joining post-centric digital production company, Disqo, from 3rd August 2009. Chappell, a Mipcom-winning digital specialist with ten years experience in digital and TV entertainment, heralds a new era of growth and independence for Disqo, an offshoot of Golden Square Post Production, as it becomes more of a standalone company.

Chappell’s experience combines broadcast production with multiplatform content development. In 2006, he won the Mipcom award for ‘best content on a mobile platform’ with his development and production of On This Day in History for ITN On – ITN’s successful digital department. His Disqo mandate focuses on expanding its current commercials client base to include digital projects for brands and broadcasters. Chappell joins Disqo from Shine UK, where he worked hit TV properties, like MasterChef and The Biggest Loser, into digital. His final project was turning MasterChef into a superbrand with plans for an online community and real world food events with BBC Worldwide. Gregg Wallace describes him as ‘a good pud’ and a ‘big flavour’ … apparently.

...and finally

It's simple, it's amazing, it's KempFolds - http://kempfolds.blogspot.com/

Nike gets some INSA Protein

2009-07-16T17:17:00.022+01:00

Uber-cool agency / shop / content specialists and mega curators Protein recently collaborated with London graff legend and heel specialist INSA on the new NIKE project IAM1. Culminating with an art show at the Nike 1948 space in Batemans Row Shoreditch.

In 7 days INSA ran the city of east London, painting 35 pieces on route of Charlie Dark's map for The IAM1 Journey Nike Sportswear project.

“It started with Charlie Dark and the Run Dem Crew and got me thinking of how I see Londonand running. And I'm not really much of a runner, but I thought maybe my artwork would travel around the city. My art would do the running for me,” smiles INSA.

Documented in its entirety by INSA’s long time collaborator and mega photographer Ethel, each of the 35 hand painted pieces were used to create an exclusive high definition stop frame animation (which we blogged at the beginning of the week) and one of the centre pieces of INSA’s major London solo show for 2009.

This IAM1 Journey animation will be deconstructed within the show, showcasing behind-the-scenes processes alongside the painted found objects that make up the individual frames.

The second half of the exhibition features an all encompassing installation which can only be described as a representation of INSA’s Holy Golden Cow of worship. The epic showpiece addresses the themes of success, aspiration, reality, self-reflection, love and commodity
usually apparent in INSA’s art…

We caught up with the camera-shy legend to get an inside scoop on the animation that is generating all the hype.

This is your second animation project… Is this the beginning of INSA the director?

“ha ha… No not INSA the director. I definitely want to do more in animation. Whenever you do a project halfway through it you thinking of the next one, or halfway through it you realize – oh I could have done this better, I could have done that better – so, I don’t know about directing or making any bigger films because I quite prefer still images to moving images personally, but I’m definitely going to do some more animation. I’ve got a couple more ideas, that when I get the time, I’m going to have a play around!

What was the reception like to your last piece of animation?

“Yeah it seemed good! I got mad youtube hits… and I guess that’s the only way I can rate it. I got a load of e-mails saying ‘I loved it!’ so people seemed to like it! So I guess it was good?”

The new one got seeded only a couple of days ago… What was the reception like to this one?

“Yeah… I checked this morning… not that I should care about these things… ha ha… and its had over twelve thousand views in around three days. Its crazy! So yeah, its exciting – it’s the magic of the internet!”

Artists like yourself, illustrators and painters are a massive influence on ad agencies, production companies and brands. Do you think that brands, agencies etc working directly with you is better than simply pinching an idea?

“Yeah… Definitely… Definitely…You have sort of answered the question for me there. There has been too many times where an artist has a good idea, or an illustrator does something and then an ad will just rip it off - just use the same idea.
So in any case where they can work directly it’s always best. It will get the best results and it will be more true to the original idea. So always working direct with the artist is best.

Are there any other directors out there that you would be keen to work with given the chance?

“Ohhh – that’s a difficult one… I’m not that up on all the new directors… but Chris Cunningham has always been a favourite of mine, I think his stuff is amazing. I can imagine doing something pretty sick with him!! It would be good!

Last question – the IAM 1 project is ultimately focussed on running… Are you big on running?

“errrrrrrr……..no…”

We were also lucky enough to persuade Protein head honcho, CEO, big kahuna and all round top bloke William Rowe to shed some light on the campaign, and give us a teaser about what to expect from IAM1 in the near future…

How did the IAM1 project come about?

Are you hoping that people will see the viral and follow the trail? Whats the story behind it?

We haven’t seen the whole project yet – what’s next in the IAM1 journey?

What is the meaning of IAM1?

You guys are really artists and idea focused, creating a situation where brands and artists feel comfortable. Do you think that this is something that you do well?

If you are interested in checking out the show (and you would be stupid not to) it will be running at 1948, Arches 477 - 478, Batemans Row, Shoreditch, London, EC2 3HH until the 26th of July.

For more info on Protein check http://proteinos.com/

For more info on INSA check http://www.insaland.com/ and www.insaland.com/blog

Thanks to both INSA and Will for the last minute interviews!

NewsReel 17/07/09

2009-07-16T16:45:00.007+01:00

Hey you! Yeah, you! Got news for our NewsReel? Well send it to us! We don’t make this stuff up, we just vandalise your neat press releases with idiocy. If you can handle it, chuck any moves/views/goss to editor@thereel.net.

Straight8 goes West End

With the Rushes Soho Shorts festival inching closer and closer, we thought it would be good to throw the spotlight on one of the highlights of the fest – the Straight8 screenings. In the words of the Straight8ers themselves:

the best three-minute in-camera edited straight 8 films selected from over 150 entries from around the world

20 never seen before films each night

join the filmmakers for the fastest and the slowest 3 minutes of their lives as they see their work for the first time since they looked through the viewfinder and pulled the trigger

plus the eight films that premiered at the straight 8 cannes film festival screening- showing for the first time in the uk

The screenings, held over three nights, are as follows:

9.15pm, monday 27 july – Curzon Mayfair (screen 1)

9.15pm, tuesday 28 july – The Renoir

9.15pm, wednesday 29 july – Curzon Mayfair (screen 1)

Grab your tickets from www.curzoncinemas.com, and for full screening details and more visit www.straight8.net

Send in your Smalls

We love small things at The Reel (except Wee Jimmy Krankie) so we’re pleased to shout that the call for entries is now open for The Smalls Showcase and Awards 2009 in association with Creative Review and devilfish.

The competition and event celebrates small films for small screens and the creative opportunities brought about by the internet, portable media player and the latest generation mobile phones. The Smalls wants to showcase the diversity and talent in short film, and highlight that a short duration is not a limitation but a test of true filmmaking skills.

Films entered in the competition will compete with the very best short films from around the world and be judged by a panel of leading industry figures. Entries can be up to 10 minutes long.

A selection of the entries will be screened during a two-day public showcase at The London Design Festival on September 23 - 24, and the best entries will win The Smalls Awards 2009.

Venue TBC.

The deadline for submissions is September 10 2008. More entry information can be found on www.TheSmalls.com.

Feel feels content

Obviously not ‘content with their lot (ho ho ho, lame pun), Feel Films has announced the formation of a new digital division intended to bring together broadcasters, talent organisations and advertising agencies in the creation of innovative content for new and emerging platforms.

The new division, which will operate under the name Feel Content will be divided into four specific areas; web advertising, viral clips, online programming and longform.

Nick Hirschkorn, managing director Feel Films – and now Feel Content – said: “It is our intention to bring our extensive experience in film, TV and advertising production to the digital marketplace under a dedicated banner, but without moving away from our core principles of high production values and a collaborative approach.

“Having already created an extremely successful series of Video Podcasts for UKTV Channel ‘Dave’ we are looking forward to introducing this model of online programming to new and existing clients,” he continued “We already have experience with web advertising and have made some biting virals over the years, but online programming and advertiser funded longform content are two burgeoning areas that we are now starting to focus on. We very much believe longform is the natural next step on from online programming”.

Feel Content is already developing a number of factually based television series for international broadcast in conjunction with some leading brands and their respective advertising agencies.

Dan Cleland, new head of content at Feel Content added; “Whilst Feel Films will continue to produce top notch commercials and features, here at Feel Content we’re excited about producing innovative material that connects directly with consumers through new media and beyond.”

HLA bids on a Lott

Former Reel lady Gabrielle Lott is joining the team at HLA as their new Director’s Rep. Gabrielle will represent all of HLA’s directors; Simon Ratigan, John Hardwick, Danny Cohen, Simon Taylor and Kjetil Njoten within the UK and Europe, she will also be responsible for all PR for the company and it’s roster.

Regarding her new role, Gabrielle said, “During my time at The Reel, I came across of lot of great directors, some very gifted people (as well as some top editorial teammates – ed) ... HLA’s roster is incredible. The directors here are some of the most talented in the world, to represent them is exciting and hugely inspiring and HLA is renowned for the work that they create, I couldn’t turn this opportunity down”

Gabrielle has recently returned from 18 months in New York where she worked as PR Manager at JWT and head of PR at StrawberryFrog. Prior to her jump across the pond, Gabrielle acted as Marketing Manager for the animation house The Ebeling Group and helped to open their European office. Mainly known within the UK market as The Editor of The Reel, Gabrielle relaunched the magazine in 2005 and oversaw editorship for the next two years. In 2004, Gabrielle helped to launch Contagious Magazine with Editor Paul Kemp Robertson.

HLA’s Managing Director and Executive Producer Mike Wells said “Its great to have Gabrielle on the team… She brings an enormous amount of experience and an understanding of the agency world, whic will be invaluable to us. Her enthusiasm and energy make her an immediate fit,”

Anyone wanting to talk to Gabs about HLA’s sterling roster (and why wouldn’t you) can do so on +44 (0) 20 7299 1000 / gabrielle@hla.net.

Transparent news for Nicolas

Hot on the heels of their Gold Lions success for their Stella Artois films for Mother London, production company Transparent looks to strengthen their roster with the signing of top Spanish director Nicolas Caicoya.

Characterized by stunning visuals and great sensitivity to people, Caicoya has just had his first job confirmed in the UK for BBH London. To view his showreel go to: http://www.transparentuk.com/downloads/caicoya_showreel.mov

Nathaniel gets to Work

Work Club’s is to gain a new strategist from mid July 2009. Nathaniel Hill joins from Dare where he created award-winning work as the lead planner on Vodafone’s marcoms and brand marketing accounts.

Nathaniel previously worked at Ogilvy Interactive on BP, BT and Yahoo! for two years before moving to Dare where he spent nearly four years as lead planner on some of the agency’s flagship accounts: Vodafone and ITV’s consumer programming marketing and trade accounts.

Nathaniel’s Vodafone remit for marcoms and brand marketing covered mobile internet, sponsorship (including the current Taxi Grand Prix F1 activation and Nightwatchman cricket activation) as well as building the brand’s presence on social networks. He developed strategy for the mobile operator’s broadband Netbook with the ‘LiveGuy’ campaign which won an NMA effectiveness award in June 2009. During his time at Dare, Nathaniel was also responsible for winning the Google account without a pitch. This experience will be transferred over to Work Club when Nathaniel helms strategy for Nokia and Oakley.

Work Club’s head of strategy, Lisa De Bonis, said: “We had to nab Nat because it’s very rare you find a strategist who’s got so much experience but is still motivated by creative, rather than prestige.”

Nathaniel Hill said: “I’m celebrating a decade in digital next year so I wanted to be in an agency best placed to do great work in the digital age.".

www.work-club.com

Spanking awards

Spank’s Steve Bendelack has won his third award in a row for his comedy spot starring Johnny Vegas for BBC3.

Along with Vegas, the “Fearless” spot also features Matt Berry, Ralph Little & Natalie Casey. It shows them in their pursuit of perfection, but never fearing to fail on their way. The spot concludes with Johnny hilariously attempting to jump a line of cars on a motorbike!

Creatives: Joe de Souza & Sam Walker

Agency: Fallon

Awards: BTAA, Creative Circle, Midsummer

Steve Bendelack is famed for his work on Spitting Image, The Royle Family, Garth Merenghi’s Dark Place, The League of Gentlemen, The Mighty Boosh, Little Britain and most recently Cowards, as well as numerous TV and Cinema commercials.

Steve is repped by Spank, view his work at www.spankfilms.co.uk

A Finch who tweets!

Know anyone who’s got work through a Twitter referral? We do! Top notch Amsterdam-based queen of PR Kerrie Finch won herself a client though her uncanny knack at being brilliant in under 140 characters. In her own words: ‘Burt, sister company to Daddy (now CP+B Europe) tweeted they were looking for PR, someone I didn't know responded they should contact FinchFactor - they did. And now I'm working with them. All that tweeting has paid off!’

If you don’t already follow the lady herself on the tweetdeck, get involved - @FinchFactor. Not only are you guaranteed nuggets of ‘Dam based info, but you’ll also be privy to chucksome minecdotes. Plus she says we’re good at karaoke – so we love her!

http://finchfactor.com/

…and finally

As we can’t post Spotify playlist in our ‘and finally’ sections any more (damn you IT Dept!!), how’s about a little music the old fashioned way. Er…through YouTube.

Yep, it's a tepid song we know, but the marvelous thing is that it was shot on an iPhone. Who'd have thunk it! PSFK has the deets on how it was done (including a snazzy iPhone steadycam) here.

Nike x Insa via ProtienOs

2009-07-10T15:24:00.006+01:00

IAM1 x INSA from Protein® TV on Vimeo.

Our pals over at ProteinOs have sent us the new viral for heel king, clothing lothario and graff legend INSA's new project for Nike. More info as the IAM1 project unfolds

NewsReel 10/07/09

2009-07-10T12:32:00.008+01:00

More news for the Reel faithful. If you’ve got anything you want us to shout about here, throw an email in our direction – editor@thereel.net.

…if you’re one of the Sixteens

OK, if you weren’t put off by the Sweet referencing headline (it’s on brand – honest!), you’ll be excited to hear about an excellent new 16MM initiative from the lovely folk at Kodak, Soho Film Lab and Rushes. sweet16 (see the reference now!) is a new offering of packaged services, consisting of stock, lab processing and grading aimed at stimulating the use of 16mm film for commercials, virals and music promos.

The unique package is tailored two ways to suit the differing workflows for commercials and music videos. The sweet16 commercials package comes with 2000ft of stock, processing and one light SD transfers, plus three hours of telecine, whilst the sweet16 promos package has 3200ft’ of stock, processing and five hours of telecine. Both include SD or HD machine time but exclude tape stock. The package is available through Kodak re-sellers Arri Media and Take 2 in conjunction with their camera equipment rental, and is a snip at £1600.

More information about sweet16 can be found at: www.sweet-16mm.com

Don’t all Rush at once

More from Rushes!! The Rushes Soho Shorts Festival, celebrating its 11th year, has now announced the Official Festival Program for 2009. As regular readers will know, we bloody love the Soho Shorts fest, so this announcement has us filling our diaries faster than a whippet.

Films include Sadie Frost’s Directorial Debut, Danny Boyles End Credit Sequence for Slumdog Millionaire, actors such as Michael Bryne (Gangs of New York), Juliet Stevenson (Bend It Like Beckham), Nick Nolte (Hotel Rwanda, 48 Hours), Connie Fischer (Sound Of Music), Russel Tovey (Being Human), Chris Hehir (Green Street), Danny Cunningham (24 Hour Party People), Jack O’Connell (This is England), and comedians such as Adam Buxton Lulu McClatchy and Alexei Sayle. That’s right, Dr Buckles and Nick Nolte on the same bill. Immense.

For all the info on the festivities, check out the official site – www.sohoshorts.com – and for more info on the shortlisted films, fly to our previous feature here.

Block my spam, fire my wall

This week The Reel were invited along to a special screening Seth Gordon’s (he of King of Kong) new McAfee funded doc H*COMMERCE – and subsequently wrapped their PCsa in cotton wool and waited for the E-mageddon. The film (a collection of 6 docu-shorts hosted on the bespoke www.stophcommerce.com site) basically tells us that there are clever, malicious people out there who know more about computers than you, and there fore know more about you than you. However, the frankly dry, techie subject is smartly injected with Gordon’s uncanny ability to find a human tale to tell – this time focussing on a kindly former-vicar’s staggering loss of $400,000. Tense, humourous and compelling this smart piece of, dare we say it, branded content oozes credibility. Cheers to Moxie Pictures for the invite.

Grey-t new appointment in Amsterdam

Grey has completed the reorganisation of its Amsterdam agency with the appointment of Hazelle Klønhammer to the role of Managing Director. Formerly at 180, Wieden+Kennedy and Modernista! Amsterdam, Australian-born Klønhammer has an established track-record in successfully managing international business for creatively-led clients.

Working closely with Executive Creative Directors Colin Lamberton and Seyoan Vela (with whom The Reel spent several pleasurable moments in Cannes), Klønhammer will be responsible for building Dutch business as well as extending the strengthened Grey offering to international clients.

Klønhammer’s strong track record for winning new business and re-positioning global brands is evidenced in her work as group account director at
Wieden+Kennedy. Over a 10 year period she worked on numerous brands such as Electronic Arts, Nike, Heineken, Microsoft, Carlsberg, and the global launch of Vodafone. She was instrumental in setting up the agency’s digital offering and was responsible for securing and running their first digital client, Electronic Arts. Since leaving W+K 18 months ago, her senior management skills have been in play at Modernista! and 180. Prior to this, Klønhammer has also worked at Amirati Puris Lintas, Sydney, and TBWA Campaign Company.

http://www.grey.com/netherlands/

New fingers on the Pulse

Top production company Pulse Films have added further directing talent to their books, as well as an appointment to their advertising team. Acclaimed commercials director and photographer Jack Cole has joined Pulse, along with award-winning writer-director Ben Woolf. They have also appointed Verity Casey as the company’s Directors’ Representative.

Jack Cole has been a freelance director and photographer since he ended his time as one half of director’s duo LIFF. His commercial work has won major awards, including a Cannes Lions Festival award nomination and he has worked in the UK, Belgium and Germany on campaigns for Panasonic, Tesco, and the Coca Cola group among others. Jack started his career on the international film festival circuit, receiving acclaim for films like Practice Makes Perfect which won the TCM Classic Shorts Award at the London Film Festival. Jack has had a number of big photography commissions and work published; his freelance work has been featured at the London Design Festival and in publications such as Damn and Plastique.

Jack is joined at Pulse by writer-director Ben Woolf, whose work spans theatre, film, TV and online production. Ben’s television credits include Children of the Tsunami (BBC), and a viral musical commercial (Unexpected Performance) for Lastminute.com which won a Young Directors Award at the 2009 Cannes Lion Festival. Ben is highly successful within the theatrical world, and his plays have been produced in the UK, USA, Australia and the Czech Republic. His comedy about immigration, Angry Young Men - which he wrote and directed - has won numerous plaudits including a TimeOut Critics Choice Award. Ben was Associate Director of plays including the Olivier Award-nominated Sunset Boulevard and Ivanov with Kenneth Branagh. He is also the Artistic Director of the MahWaff Theatre Company, which looks to produce innovative new writing work internationally.

Verity Casey, who will be responsible for securing commercial commissions for Pulse’s roster of directors, was previously Director’s Representative at Rogue Films. Verity has a background of working for a range of media and advertising agencies such as Fallon, AIS and M&C Saatchi.

http://www.pulsefilms.co.uk/

Walter Campbell gets Serious

In another new signing, multi - award winning Walter Campbell has joined Serious Pictures. Walter has written and art directed some of the most iconic and influential advertising in the world, and has now started Directing through Serious Pictures. Check out his showreel here - http://www.seriouspictures.com/directors/walter-campbell.go.

Square snares Steph

Not one to be outdone by their production brothers, Golden Square has announced the signing of an extremely experienced producer – Steph Thompson – who brings 16 years of agency, production company and post experience to Golden Square’s production department. Thompson’s extensive experience boasts some of the most respected agencies and brands in the commercials industry: BBH, Fallon, Stella Artois and Coca Cola.

Thompson started her career at The Moving Picture Company in 1993 and left in 1995 to become a Production Assistant for Lowe Howard Spink where she worked for two years on brands ranging from Stella Artois to Tesco. In 1997 she decided to travel and worked for JWT Sydney as a TV producer. Upon returning to the UK in 1998, she went to Rainey Kelly Cambell Roalfe until 2001 when she began freelancing for agencies such as BBH, Fallon and VCCP, working on major campaigns including the launch TV campaign for Coca Cola Zero. Thompson’s most recent position was as head of sales for Feel Films.

http://www.goldensq.com/news

WE WANTS YOUR WORKS!!!

Right, let’s cut to the chase. The July Issue of The Reel is being complied now and it’s got a *insert your company’s name* sized gap in it!! So send us your latest and greatest or we’ll sulk. Any questions on how to do so can be answered through pre-written words here – www.thereel.net/Common/Submit.aspx - through bespoke words here – editor@thereel.net – or through your ears here - +44 (0) 20 7575 1985.

I want my MTV

2009-07-09T15:48:00.018+01:00

Global entertainment megabrand MTV has recently undertaken a massive rebrand of its 64 ex-US channels rejuvenating everything from colour palette to typography, program guide to on screen editorial – its all had a lick of digital paint. Aiming to cross borders, cultures and the huge hurdle of language – the new MTV international identity ‘reboot’ is chock full of beautiful.

Tackling a re-brand of a channel that has over two decades of cutting edge cool under its belt not to mention a mainline into youth culture the world over is no mean feat. MTV have historically set the trend of quirky and controversial idents.

On August 1, 1981, at 12:01 a.m., MTV launched with the words "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll," followed by the original MTV theme song playing over a montage of the Apollo 11 moon landing and showed an fluoro MTV logo replacing the stars and stripes of the American flag.

MTV producers Alan Goodman and Fred Seibert used this public domain footage as a conceit, associating MTV with the most famous moment in world television history. Ironically at the moment of its launch, only a few thousand people on a single cable system in northern New Jersey could see it. Not bad for a kick off.

20 years on, MTV define themselves as ‘so much more than a music (channel)’ and they still remain the number one entertainment destination for young people around the world.

The new look launched on the 1st of July over a whopping 160 territories and tongue tying 31 languages and was a collaboration between MTVNI’s recently established World Design Studio based in Milan and UK-based multidisciplinary studio Universal Everything.

The snazzy new identity was designed to embody MTV’s signature world class design and production values and further solidify the channel’s position as a meeting point for music, creativity, youth culture and the premier place to get annoyed at rich bratty kids (Paris we are looking at you).

The team worked on three keywords; Love, Joy and Desire in the hope that the themes would resonate across borders, cultures and languages around the world – and became the project’s common threads and inspiration.

The new swathe of idents reflect the international status of MTV, and feature a clutch of top tier directors from all over the globe:

The new 6 idents came from:

‘Choc Gold’ – Tronic - USA

‘Mr Furry’ – Realise – UK

‘Oil’ - Maxim Zhestkov – Russia

‘Candy’ – Zeitguised – UK / Germany

‘Wind Kiss’ - Universal Everything – UK

‘Mad Drummer’ - Universal Everything – UK

Here is the dirty half-dozen for your veiwing pleasure:

Long may they innovate!

Cannes It Be?

2009-07-02T23:10:00.004+01:00

So there it was – Cannes Lions 2009.

Fewer people than usual – certainly. More straight-laced than normal – probably. Less top work on show – hell no!

The Film Lion winners of Cannes ’09 had the usual share of wildcard surprises, saw-that-coming expectations, what-were-they-thinking expulsions and grin-widening shockers. Rather than running through all of the winners – a job done manfully by the official site here – we thought we’d present the Second Annual Reel-Deal Cannes Awards to a choice handful:

The ‘We Told You So’ Award

Philips ‘Carousel’ - TRIBAL DDB Amsterdam / STINK DIGITAL London (Grand Prix)

Not wishing to get all Mystic Meg on this but WE BLOODY SAID THIS WOULD RULE THE AWARDS. Any non-believers out there need only check our pre-Cannes post, our interview with uber-producer Mark Pytlik and the Editor’s Comments in both UK and International April Edition’s DVD booklets. Then again, anyone with eyes, any understanding of advertising or with a penchant for clowns would say the same – and we’ve got all three.

The ‘Don’t Mention Flashmob To Our Pals At Contagious’ Award

T-Mobile ‘Dance’ – SAATCHI & SAATCHI London / PARTIZAN London (Gold)

Clever idea, perfect timing and it actually WORKED (i.e. people texted, SMSed, videoed the event with their mobiles).

The ‘Finally Putting My Film Degree To Good Use’ Award

Stella Artois ‘Dial Hard’ – MOTHER London / LANDIA Buenos Aires (Gold Campaign)

Funny enough for the casual viewer, but the sniper-sharp touches make this a stand-out campaign for lovers of the nouvelle vague.

The ‘Made Our Mums Happy’ Award

Washington Lottery ‘Birds’ – PUBLICIS IN THE WEST Seattle / STICKS+STONES STUDIOS Hollywood (Silver)

Heartwarming and emotive without a dollar sign in sight (surely a first for an American lottery ad!). Plus, we’re sure you see a penguin smile!

The ‘So Pretty It Made Our Eyes Hurt’ Award

Tiji ‘Balloon’ – DDB Paris / WANDA PRODUCTIONS Paris (Silver)

Anyone who’s stumbled across a copy (digital or otherwise) of The Reel before will know we love animation, but this is one piece we actually want to marry and have babies with.

The ‘Most Likely To Fire Up Geldof And Kofi’ Award

Environmental Defense Fund ‘Polar Bears’ – OGILVY New York / BISCUIT FILMWORKS Los Angeles (Silver)

A smart, simple idea executed perfectly.

The ‘Took Us A While To Get It On The DVD But Was Worth It’ Award

Shelter ‘House Of Cards’ – LEO BURNETT London / Outsider London (Silver)

Beautiful the second we saw it ... and managing to retain its beauty though endless can we/can’t we calls to agency and production company.

The ‘Milk Came Out My Nose’ Funny Award

Pizza Pops ‘Robot Friend’ – COSSETTE Toronto / HOLIDAY FILMS Toronto (Silver Campaign)

Simple, hilarious, heartwrenching. We wish we had a robot friend.

So there we go, Cannes in a can. Keep an eye on our blog/newsletter in the upcoming weeks, as we’ll be posting the fruits of our labours sporadically (including an interview with the E-Street’s and Soprano’s ‘Little’ Steve Van Zandt). On a parting note, enjoy one of our picks from the Saatchi & Saatchi New Director’s Showcase:

Reel Newsletter 03/07/09

2009-07-02T18:16:00.008+01:00

Tim O’Kennedy gets pencilled in...

D&AD has pulled out the stops and appointed grand fromage Tim O’Kennedy, brand and communications consultant and former MD of Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam, as it’s Chief Executive.

Having experience on both the client and agency side, O’Kennedy’s overarching objective is to provide focused, strategic leadership to ensure that D&AD continues to flourish in the UK and on the world stage as an influential creative awards body and as a leading and inspirational learning centre for creatives.

O’Kennedy had this to say about his recent appointment:

“I feel honoured to take the reins at this amazing organisation, which has always lived in my mind as the absolute reference for creativity in the communication arts. D&AD’s multi-disciplinary purview is a big part of the appeal for me: I grew up in the worlds of advertising and design, and have a deep-seated appreciation for both, as I do for the possibilities afforded by interactive media.The world of communications is changing, and at an exponential rate - but it’s doing so in ways which can make D&AD more relevant than ever. While I believe that the role of CEO is by definition multi-faceted, my most important job will be to reinforce this relevance, to further secure D&AD’s position as the standard-setter for creativity worldwide.”

Pulse Films Signs Andrew Douglas

Pulse Films recently announced the signing of world-class multi award-winning commercials, features and documentary director Andrew Douglas upon his return to the UK.

Andrew, who has worked for the advertising industry on both sides of the Atlantic, joins Pulse for UK Representation. He is represented in the US respected LA-based Anonymous Content where he earned a reputation as one of the finest commercial directors in the world. Nominated as Best Commercials Director by the Directors Guild of America, he has directed commercial work for an array of clients such as Nike, Adidas, Citroën, Coca-Cola, and Microsoft.

In addition to his commercial work, he made his feature film directorial debut with international box office hit, The Amityville Horror, grossing $130m dollars worldwide. Andrew’s credentials in documentary film-making include the RTS award-winning Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus for BBC Two’s Arena strand. The film was subsequently released theatrically in the US and won the Seattle Film Festival’s Jury award for Best Documentary.

Andrew Douglas adds: “I am excited to be joining Pulse on my return to the UK. I wanted to work with the high calibre of creativity that London - and the rest of the UK - has to offer and this is precisely what Pulse can offer.”

http://www.pulsefilms.co.uk/

Anonymous Content signs academy award-nominated Cuaron

Adding to its already sprawling network of talent, Anonymous has signed Mexican filmmaker, screenwriter and film producer Alfonso Cuarón to its Commercial division. The internationally acclaimed Cuarón's most recent work, Children of Men, starring Clive Owen, Julianne Moore and Michael Caine, was nominated for three Academy Awards.

His Spanish-language feature film Y Tu Mamá También, earned a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award nomination and enjoyed major international success. Commercial credits include spots for Nike, Pac Bell, and Miller, with an Emmy win for PBS Fish out of Fallon Minneapolis.

Meribel Festival becomes The Cristal Awards

The Ad industries favourite winter meet has recently had a slight name (or nom) change. The Meribel Ad Festival has morphed into the namesake of its coveted trophies – and become The Cristal Awards.

Since the creation of the first Festival in Méribel 2001, the crystal expansion has been fairly rapid – and saw the event sprawl out to China at the China Cristal Awards and the MENA Cristal Awards for the Middle East and North Africa.

Not only has the festival changed its name, it has also moved geographically. The Festival will now take place at the Swiss station of Crans Montana. Locates at the heart of the Swiss Alps, Crans Montana is one of the most prestigious ski resorts in Europe, and benefits from enormous grandiose surroundings as well as offering a whole new accessible quality to the Cristal Festival that Meribel sadly could never offer.

For more info go to www.centraleuropecristal.com/

In The Cannes

2009-06-19T12:12:00.006+01:00

Off to Cannes? Barely prepped?

Fear not, as The Reel provide their handy Top 3’s (in no particular order) of the festival. Follow these to the letter and you’re trip will be a smooth as titanium. You might even bump in to us too! Hooray!!

TOP 3 TROPHY TIPS

Comcast - Rabbit

Smart idea, clever execution and flash visuals. This one’s going home with something.

Philips - Carousel

Brilliantly made filmic spot that speaks directly to its intended audience.

Diesel XXX - SFW

Call us juvenile if you want, but we have never been forwarded a viral by so many people.

TOP 3 EVENTS

The Saatchi&Saatchi New Directors Showcase
Thursday 25 June
12:00 - 13:30
Grand Audi

Want to know who'll be directing the big ads in 2010? Want to check out the new Cunningham/Gondry/Ledwidge before the rest of the pack? Check out The Reel’s Ones To Watch … or go to this marvellous showcase constructed by the in-the-know folk of Saatchis.

Straight8 Screening
Friday 26th June
11:00 – 12:45
Star Cinema, 98 Rue D’Antibes
www.straight8.net

You all know the format (and if you don’t – get involved). One super 8mm cartridge. No editing. This screening contains the pieces chosen for the Cannes Film Festival debut and The Best Of An Ad Bunch, a collection of entries from adland folk. See them watch it for the first time! Magic.

Leo Burnett & Contagious
Wildfire Stories: Pass It On
Wednesday 24 June
16:00 - 16:45
Debussy

Yeah yeah, we know they’re our pals, but the Wildfire seminars ALWAYS pack out the Debussy and this year’s topic examining ‘storytelling’ in advertising and the creation of ever more immersive narratives is set to be a belter!

TOP 3 MANBAG/HANDBAG ITEMS

Sun Cream – The Reel consists of a Geordie and a Ginger. The sun is our mortal enemy.

Business Cards – Plenty of em! Useful for those situations where you’ve forgotten the person you’re talking to’s name. A simple card swap and you’ve got a hand-held reminding device.

Bottle of Rose – Have you seen the queues at the Gutter Bar?

TOP 3 PLACES TO SEE THE REEL TEAM

Adelphoi Pool Party
Thursday – 15:00-19:00
RSVP – FULL!!

We’ll be the guys dipping their toes in the pool whilst munching down on delicious BBQed seafood.

Wanda BBQ
Friday – 12:00-18:00
RSVP – clementine@wanda.fr

We’ll be the guys looking slightly seasick and swooning whenever the lovely Wanda ladies talk to us in their lovely French accents.

CANNES Credit Crunch Party
Plage Maema, Friday – 16:00-21:30
Sign up on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/event.php?eid=92169742085

We’ll be the guys pestering our sales team for their dosh.

So there we go. Cannes in the can! If you fancy meeting up and saying hello at any point in the festival (we’ll be there Wednesday-Saturday) just drop us a line on editor@thereel.net.

No newsletter proper next week, but you can look forward to daily updates on the blog direct from the festival.

Bon!

NewsReel 19/06/09

2009-06-19T11:31:00.010+01:00

GELDOF JOINS IN AT CANNES

Live aid founder, TV swearer and Monday hater Bob Geldof has joined the distinguished panel tackling climate change at this years Cannes. Led by Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations, the panel have been brought together to launch a major international campaign on climate change.

The campaign is aimed at world leaders achieving a just deal at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, December 2009. The Panel also includes David Jones, Global CEO of Euro RSCG Worldwide - Havas Worldwide, who will talk about the urgent action required from the advertising and marketing communities to ensure success at the Copenhagen Conference.

David Jones said: "Our industry excels at changing people's behaviour. I believe that we have not only an opportunity, but an obligation to use our creativity to address some of the biggest issues facing the world.

"It’s tremendously exciting that Bob Geldof has agreed to join us at Cannes to launch the global campaign on climate justice. Kofi and Bob are two of the most powerful advocates for the world’s poor.

"To get a meaningful deal at Copenhagen requires everyone to put pressure on their leaders to agree a fair post-Kyoto deal. This is precisely the aim of the campaign we will be launching at Cannes, and the advertising and marketing communities have a crucial role to play."

Mr Annan, Mr Geldof and Mr Jones will be making a presentation on the campaign on Friday 26 June 2009 at 11am in the Debussy Auditorium at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes.

TREVOR ROBINSON AWARED OBE

Trevor Robinson Creative Director and founder of Quiet Storm has been awarded the OBE. Robinson is responsible for unleashing the 90’s ear-slap mania of the Tango man upon the UK as well as a plethora of other famous and award winning campaigns.

In June 2009 HRH Queen Elizabeth II awarded Trevor an OBE for his services to Advertising. Upon receiving the honour Trevor said “I feel incredibly blessed, lucky and humbled by this honour and would like to thank everyone who has contributed towards me getting to this stage. There are genuinely too many to mention here but I truly thank everyone who has helped me along the way. Also a special thank you to all my friends and family particularly my parents, wife and children.”

Last year Trevor also presented ‘A Mother’s Tear’ written by two 15 year old school children after winning a competition ran under his Create Not Hate initiative. This was a project to help tackle gun and knife crime creatively, which has received extensive global PR (from news channels in Japan to Germany) with the film being shown nationwide in cinemas and on TV. Already planned is a competition to build a Peace Garden for 2012; Design a range of T Shirts and much more. For more information about the project, please visit the Create Not Hate website www.createnothate.org

Well done Trevor!

SKINNER GETS TOOLED UP

The wonderfully named Tool of North America is excited to announce the signing of Grant Skinner, an internationally recognized leader in the field of rich interactive experiences. He joins Tool's Digital practice as a creative technologist developing concepts and providing creative technical solutions for brands. Skinner will also collaborate with Tool's directors as their technologist by blending live-action content with cutting-edge technology.

Skinner's signing gives Tool enhanced capability to push out more innovative work of the sort such as the recent Cold War Kids ‘I've Seen Enough’ video helmed by Tool director Sam Jones.

AND FINALLY…

OK, this is one to get a sit back to and relax with a nice cup of tea. Using the newly released 'life simulator' EA title Sims 3 as a base, clever games student Robin Burkinshaw conducted an experiment in creating a homeless family in the game's suburban settings. The real joy, however, is not in the results (which are pretty remarkable) but in the expert way the blogger writes his entries to make you care about the characters. Docu-Machinima? We don't know, but it's bloody lovely.

http://aliceandkev.wordpress.com/

Reel Opinion - Paul Reynolds

2009-06-11T13:07:00.009+01:00

For this month’s Reel Opinion we’ve enlisted the big brain of Adelphoi Music Head of Production and New Business Paul Reynolds, squeezing in time between preparing for the Adelphoi Music Cannes Party and departing for Geneva to take part in The Fireflies Ride. Phew! Here are his views on five top choices from the May Reel DVDs:

Paul Reynolds

Head of Production and New Business

Adelphoi Music

Coca Cola – Yeah Yeah Yeah, La La La

Agency: Mother London

Production: Blink London

Director: Dougal Wilson

So, for Gremlins, water is bad but Coke is OK. Coke will induce the cute little critters to create a masterful Calvin-Harris-Summertime-Dance-All-Over-The-Countryside-And-Enjoy-Coca-Cola-Smash-Hit-Pop-Tune while water will unleash a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters. I'm all for a bit of ad weirdness (Coke bottles grow on grassy hillsides you know) and the use of real puppets over CGI gives it the 'ahh' factor. Altogether a brave and interesting departure from the Happiness Factory.

Oasis – RubberDuckZilla

Agency: Mother

Production: HSI London

Director: Joseph Kahn

Ok you've got my attention. This is bonkers. Quite a tough job to parody the Japanese Godzilla and Mothra monster movies as they are quite daft already but this does it well for me. I don't know if it will cause a YouTube meltdown as some of the references might completely miss the younger market, but I'm already quaffing my 2nd bottle of Summer Fruits. There's something a bit iffy about the girls on the bed though...

Campbell’s – Fully Loaded

Agency: Clemenger Sydney

Production: Goodoil Films Sydney / Mustard London

Director: Hamish Rothwell

It's another spoof of the real man needing a real man's product theme. Not as infectious as some ads on a similar theme but it's well up there in the daft stakes. Full points for the rock vocals. I never thought I'd hear the words 'vegetables & pasta' sung with such passion. I'd have dropped the plate shots though as it looks like warmed up pavement pizza.

T-Mobile – Singalong

Agency: Saatchi&Saatchi London

Production: Partizan London

Director: Michael Gracey

As an event, this really worked. Thousands of people coming together and singing along, all care of T-Mobile. As an ad, 'Dance' was much better as it was unexpected and created buckets of public interest. I was a bit bored by 60" in and by the time the end of the ad came around I wanted to crawl under my desk and claw my ears out. 'Sing-along' is interesting to all those who were there, and maybe their families, but anyone else?

Toyota Prius – Harmony

Agency: Saatchi&Saatchi LA

Production: The Sweet Shop New York

Director: Mr Hide

The Prius may well turn ashen countryside to lush green, but turn the night to day? Of all the car's gadgets, that surely is the best one anyone's invented for years. It's a good looking commercial and I like the use of real people in costume, although it makes me think of Woody Allen dressed up as a sperm in 'Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex...' I just wonder why 'Let Your Love Flow' was used. It doesn't sync well and feels completely detached from the film.

So there you go! Big cheers to Mr Reynolds for his thoughts. If you fancy giving the man himself a hefty slap on the back (or face) for anything he said, he can be found at the Fireflys send off tonight (Friday 12th June) from 5:30 in Golden Square. If you’re feeling charitable (as well you should be) get your wallet out and stick some money in this direction too - http://www.justgiving.com/fireflypaul.

Good luck to all the Firefly types – whoever you may be!

NewsReel 12/06/09

2009-06-11T13:05:00.000+01:00

HERE COMES TROUBLE...

Paris based company Troublemakers TV have 2 new signings to their books. The talented David Lobser and Decoy a.k.a Ryan Rothermel are now available to cause trouble in Europe (or for commercials and promos if you prefer that sort of thing).

For more David Lobser look here.

For more Ryan Rothermel look here.

They are both available for European commercials and promos.

THE SIMS 3 GETS ADDICTIVE.

Addictive TV, London based audiovisual artists and clever bods in the art of audio/video remixing, known for their alternative Hollywood movie trailers and blistering live shows, have created a remix trailer for the newly-released The Sims 3 game from Electronic Arts.

For this latest incarnation of The SIMS franchise Addictive TV were given game assets and full creative freedom to make a unique short audiovisual track for the release. The Sims 3 offers a whole world of creative possibilities and customization. You can create unique Sims with personalities and control their lives. Fulfill their life destiny, making their wishes come true… or not! Which is pretty much like all the other SIMS games, except this one is better… we think…

The Sims franchise has a rich history of artistic involvement with the game; artists from Katy Perry, Natasha Bedingfield, The Pussycat Dolls and Lily Allen to Depeche Mode, Junkie XL and Adam Freeland have all recorded versions of their tracks with lyrics in “Simlish”, the language of The Sims, but this is the first time a full audiovisual remix has been produced, creating music from the sounds in the game.

See Addictive TV’s snazz remix of The Sims 3 here:

For gig dates and to see more remixes, please visit: www.myspace.com/addictivetv

DUTCH AD AGENCY S-W-H BECOMES ‘INDIE’.

No this hasn’t got anything to do with whips, snakes, Nazis, artifacts, Harrison Ford or Speilberg. This is about the leading Dutch ad Agency S-W-H’s new rebrand!

S-W-H is no more... Now we have the mighty INDIE!

The re-brand comes after 11 years, during which time S-W-H has proven itself to be one of the most respected, award-winning and successful agencies in Amsterdam.

Indie (http://www.indie-amsterdam.com/) is launched at a high point in S-W-H’s history, which was named Agency of The Year in the Netherlands in 2008, recognising S-W-H’s creative talent and progressive campaigns.

The name Indie points to an independent status and an independent attitude towards creative concepts, one which embraces change, new opportunities, creative talent and the power of ideas. By looking at the fundamentals of clients’ needs, Indie’s intention is to create brand platforms focusing on creative and effective solutions without being restricted to any media channel.

We just think this is a great way to shoehorn in space for loads of Biblical artefacts and deadly booby traps around their office… But then that’s just us…

FEEL FILMS DIRECTOR MATT LIPSEY ENTERS PSYCHOVILLE.

Director Matt Lipsey is well known for his ad campaigns for Pimms, Ladbrokes, McDondald's and also for BAFTA award winning Little Britain and a slew of other cult comedy series such as Saxondale, Human Remains and Catterick.

He now brings us Psychoville, a 7-part series written and starring The League of Gentlemen’s Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith.

When? BBC Two from Thursday 18th June 2009.

What? An embittered one-handed clown; a desperately misguided midwife; a lovestruck telekinetic dwarf; a blind avaricious collector; and a serial-killer-obsessed man-child... five seemingly unconnected characters share one thing in common. Despite coming from different parts of the country and having different backgrounds and interests, each one has been sent an anonymous, black-edged card bearing the chilling message: "I know what you did..."

…Sounds right up our street…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/psychoville/
http://www.feelfilms.co.uk/commercials.html

Soho ShortsList

2009-06-05T10:35:00.005+01:00

The entries are in, the judges are primed and the projectors are oiled (at least we think it’s that way round) – THE RUSHES SOHO SHORTS SHORTLIST IS HERE!

With entries, requests and interest from 112 countries (1,462 cities!) over 1,159 films have been received, 140 of which have been selected for competition. The 18 countries represented this year include Peru, France, Mexico, Chine, Spain, USA, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, Iceland, Australia, Slovenia, Israel, Ireland, Canada, Luxembourg and the UK. All films had to be under 12 minutes in length without credits and fall into the following competitive categories: The International Award, The Long Form Award, The Documentary Award, The Short Film Award, The Animation Award, The Music Video Award, The Broadcast Design Award and The Newcomers Award.

In keeping with our love of all things filmic and short here at The Reel (especially the film Willow), the festival shortlist is filled with splendid mini-movies, ads and promos that we’ve either seen or are keen to see. The full list of films screening in competition, along with the directors and companies that made the work, can now be seen be seen at www.sohoshorts.com

We caught up with Festival Director Joe Bateman to quiz him on the ins and outs of the selection, and to find out what festival goers have in store from 22nd July.

How do you feel this year's submissions compare to 2008's?

I feel more conscious of the breadth of entries this year. There’s, maybe, slightly less UK driven content (but not hugely so) and we’ve definitely increased our international attention. The standard seems higher and there seems to be more confidence in the narrative. If we had the facility we could have doubled the amount of content we wanted to showcase. It’s a painful experience choosing the final line up.

Why have you chosen to introduce the two new categories?

Every year we look at the volume of work and quietly wish we had more room to show more work. It was clear early on in the entry period that we were receiving more than our usual quota of international entries so we committed to creating a programme for them. At first this was going to be a guest programme, along with our other 12, but then it became clear that with a little extra effort we could deliver the programme in-competition, it was a forgone conclusion. Creating the category meant we could also showcase the strong UK contenders. It’ll also mean that we can provide unique UK Showcases to foreign events, something that we’re currently working on. The Long Form category came about because with the added interest from abroad I was getting a few emails stating “If you were a proper international film festival you’d have a longer running time for your films and except my 20 minute film”, may be that’s a slight generalisation but close enough. I was paranoid enough to think that they had a point, it also meant that any films that may have, dubiously, been hitting the stipulated 12 minute running time now had a legitimate category to compete in.

Can you give us a sneaky heads-up on what events we can expect to see in the festival week, and which ones you're most looking forward to?

Mmm. The opening night premiere feature film will be great, the stand-up comedy should be good too, the ‘all day’ events at BAFTA and London Film Academy will certainly be fun and I’m looking forward to our networking night at The Movieum. We’ve kept a similar set up (to previous years) with the lunchtime seminars and afternoon panel discussions which are always enlightening. We’re also hosting the Advertising Producers Association presenting the CPFE/Shots Young Directors Programme once again and of course the amazing straight 8 programmes. Our two exhibitions, suitably titled DNA and TURD BRAINS, will be fantastic and they’ll be backed up with experimental and very artistic screening programmes. But I think the biggest event for me, and what I always look forward to, is the grand finale, The Rushes Awards Ceremony and the after party! Someone please make sure I get a BIG pint of beer!

Is the legendary Terry Christian hosting the awards show again?

How could he not!

So there we go, shorts, events and turd brains a go-go PLUS Mr Terry Christian! We’ll be there, front row centre, and urge the rest of ya to get involved. The Festival runs over 10 days; Wednesday 22nd July to Friday 31st July, and all the information you could ever wish for can be found on the website - www.sohoshorts.com.