Partizan

JAMES CURRAN Q&A: A YEAR AND A DAY EXHIBITION

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:01:38 +0100

Partizan Animation Director James Curran recently had an exhibition at Beach London. The exhibition was a tribute to Beastie Boys co-founder Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch, who passed away May 4, 2012. It featured 35 framed prints each showcasing three graphic representations of the bands lyrics, tracks or singles.

We caught up with James and asked him some questions about the exhibition.

PZ: When did you decide to do this project?

JC: When I heard the news about MCA’s death last year I knew that I wanted to do something as a tribute to him, but it took me a few months to decide on what it would be. Around November last year a came up with the idea of creating three icons to represent each Beastie Boys single, and thought it would be a good opportunity to organise an exhibition around it where I could raise money for charity. I’d never organised an exhibition before or even done much print work, but I thought it was a good idea worth pursuing. I knew I’d want to create an animation to promote the project too and once I’d decided on using the track ‘A Year and a Day’ as the soundtrack to it, it seemed perfect to aim for the anniversary of Adam’s death as a date for the exhibition.

PZ: How do the Beastie Boys and MCA inspire you?

JC: I’ve always admired how they could almost completely change their style but still stay relevant, and took their time releasing any new material. They never seemed too concerned about fitting in with current trends and didn’t (or don’t) take themselves too seriously. Through Beastie Boys I also became a big fan of Spike Jonze and making music videos in general, which eventually led me to be doing what I do now.

PZ: Tell me how you came up with each image in the series of stills?

JC: The icons in each image represent lyrics, music videos, artwork, or other influences related to each track. I wanted it to be a mix of easily recognisable imagery from their more popular music videos and also more obscure references to lyrics which only obsessive fans (like myself) would understand.

PZ: Favourite images from the series?

JC: I see the whole thing as one image really so it’s difficult to pick any out. When I created them I knew they’d be shown in the 7 x 5 grid so I was constantly referring back to that layout to make sure everything worked well together, as well as working well in sequence for the animation.

PZ: Hardest track to convert to 3 images?

JC: I didn’t have much trouble picking three icons for each track, but for some of them I had trouble narrowing it down to just three. Sabotage is probably the most recognisable Beastie Boys video so it was a bit of challenge to figure out how to represent that and do it justice. I designed and even animated quite a few icons that I later replaced. I even swapped out some whole tracks too…

PZ: What software did you use to make the video?

JC: It was all made in After Effects.

PZ: Did you create the prints from the video?

JC: Everything was created using vectors so could be scaled to any size, including printable resolutions. The prints don’t come directly from the video though as there generally aren’t many clean frames in the animation with everything moving so fast, so I created a custom still version of each image for printing.

PZ: Has anyone decoded each single / track from the video/exhibition?

JC: A few blogs / forums managed to decode most of the images shortly after I initially released the video, but it took them a few attempts and even then there were still a few mistakes. They were 99% there though.

PZ: Did you label which track was on each print or did you leave it for the owner to work out?

JC: I didn’t mention anything about each print representing a different track originally because I wanted to see if people would realise that on their own, but once I started to sell them I released a list to show what it all meant.

PZ: You used this exhibition to raise money for MacMillan Cancer, can you tell us more about that?

JC: A cancer charity was obviously suitable for the theme, but I’ve also had a number of family members and friends with cancer over the years and Macmillan were a big help to people in those situations.

PZ: Favourite MCA lyric?

JC: I’m as cool as a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce.

Photo

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:55:19 +0100

PARTIZAN : XANADU EXHIBITION

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:59:00 +0100

We recently put on an exhibition at Pictoplasma Design Festival in Berlin. ’Partizan: Xanadu’ was an opportunity for our animation Directors to show off their artistic vision without any commercial restriction. The resulting work was hugely varied, exciting, and a real treat to behold. Check out the images below to get an idea of how the whole thing went down.

Our thanks go out to the amazingly talented and passionate directors that jumped in to this project with their hearts and minds open and made it such a special event: Mustashrik, James Curran, Gal Shkedi, Kompost, Celeste Potter, Victor Haeglin. Thanks guys!!

Photo

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:46:31 +0100

Video

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:44:46 +0100

Video

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:44:34 +0100

ANTOINE AND PEUGEOT TAKE POLE AT THE WACKY RACES Who better to...

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:02:22 +0100

ANTOINE AND PEUGEOT TAKE POLE AT THE WACKY RACES

Who better to bring the Wacky Races to life than the man who turned the world into a grand prix track for Ferrari, helped Yogi Bear and the Mr. Men brighten up the city for Muller, and created a team of superhero flight attendants for Virgin? Antoine Bardou-Jacquet is back on your TV screens this spring with another larger-than-life hero epic that will knock your socks off.

ZAIBA JABBAR FEATURED IN VOGUE ITALIA

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:18:03 +0100

Partizan’s freshest young signing Zaiba Jabbar has already started making waves with her stunning new video for Melody’s Echo Chamber. Vogue Italia featured the video on their site today along with an interview with the director. Check out the video here, and head over to the Vogue Italia website for an insight into the artistic vision of this exciting young talent.

CANADA HONOURED AT THE 17th WEBBY AWARDS Congratulations...

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:35:00 +0100

CANADA HONOURED AT THE 17th WEBBY AWARDS

Congratulations Canada!! The Barcelona collective’s first short film ‘Beyond Mountains, More Mountains’ has been listed as an Official Honoree in The 17th Annual Webby Awards in the Branded Entertainment Long Form category.

The whimsical and tender short film - created for 55DSL in association with Vice magazine - was accompanied by an interactive map of the route taken by the film’s heroes.

If you haven’t already seen it, treat yourself to the whole experience here.

WARREN FU GOES MOODY AND MONOCHROME FOR DEPECHE MODE Warren Fu...

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:53:10 +0000

WARREN FU GOES MOODY AND MONOCHROME FOR DEPECHE MODE

Warren Fu has applied his varied and fascinating visual style to a wide range of the world’s biggest recording artist - from The Strokes to Daft Punk - and his latest film for New Wave gods Depeche Mode is yet another stylistic wonder. Pensive and sinister, filled with serpents and bare flesh, and all filmed in rich monochrome. It is a real visual treat.

CONGRATULATIONS ANTOINE AND MICHAEL!! VIRGIN ATLANTIC & BA...

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:39:00 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS ANTOINE AND MICHAEL!! VIRGIN ATLANTIC & BA WIN AT BRITISH ARROWS

Well done guys! Virgin Atlantic ‘Flying in the Face of Ordinary’ won two Silvers - in the ‘Corporate’ and ‘Transport, travel, leisure and tourism’ sections - and a Bronze for ‘Best over 30 and up to 60 second commercial’ at the British Arrows on Wednesday evening. And Michael Geoghegan’s ‘Don’t Fly’ spot for British Airways won Silver for ‘Best Integrated’. It’s always an honour to be recognised by such an established institution as the British Arrows.

RUSS LAMOUREUX’S LATEST FILM FOR BUDNITZ BIKES Following...

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:23:55 +0000

RUSS LAMOUREUX’S LATEST FILM FOR BUDNITZ BIKES

Following on from his crafty and humorous first film, Russ Lamoureux has just finished a new project for bespoke bicycle manufacturers Budntiz Bikes. The completed short film will be released in April, but here are a few wicked shots to keep you entertained in the meantime…

PARTIZAN TRAVEL BLOG: AMSTERDAM

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Amsterdam is its own tale of two cities. On the one hand there’s the ornate beauty: the bridges and slanting townhouses, the meandering network of canals, the magnificent museums. On the other hand there’s the hookers, drugs, and cheap steak joints. But nestled in between these two very different cities is a rich boutique culture of excellent bars, hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops.

As Partizan spends more time in the ‘Dam, we’re becoming increasingly enamoured with the humble and unassuming side of this most iconic city. It’s a culture that presents itself quietly, and only to those who search it out or are introduced to it. So next time you’re in the area take a peek back through this list and go a-roving You’ll be richly rewarded.

THE NINE STREETS

The ‘Negen Straatjes’ district is no big secret, but thankfully untouched by the marauding British invasion, it remains a tranquil and classy place to do a spot of shopping, get a real shave, and sample some of the city’s finest cuisine. Wander down Wolvenstraat (which inexplicably has the word Vulva in it, if you’re asking a local for directions) and check out the mixture of high-end garms, skater vibes, and chilled out foodie joints run by the young and the hearty, and the effortlessly cool.

PROPERTY OF…

Property Of… is an international clothing and accessories brand, but their signature ‘Amsterdam’ series is an absolute sight to behold. Fine leather bags and small goods ooze understated Dutch style. It’s not exactly Nordic, it’s not exactly Italian, it’s totally Dutch, totally unique, and totally makes you look cooler than you are. The store itself is one of the coolest spots in Negen Straatjes, with an old espresso machine, plenty of reading material, and friendly staff lounging around listening to Grimes.

HAARBARBAAR BARBER SHOP

Nestled away in the middle of the Negen Straatjes is HaarBarbaar. This gloriously trendy barber shop offers bourbon, cut-throat shaves, a great music selection, and stylish 1920s decor, right down to the legit barber’s chairs. The staff and the clientele are one equal temper of heroic hearts… all Dapper Dan’d up in bowler hats, manicured facial hair, and lots and lots of ink under the skin.

BUFFET VAN ODETTE

In Amsterdam a good cafe/deli is invaluable. When you’re racing around agencies on a few hours sleep you need kick-ass pastries and salad, rocket fuel coffee, and a calm, stylish atmosphere. Ladies and gentlemen… I give you Buffet van Odette. Think Ottolenghi’s crossed with Fernandez & Wells and you’re on the right track. Every detail is perfectly considered from the ingredients, the display, the crockery, the music, the lighting, the chairs, yadda yadda. It’s a symphony of effortless style.

‘T GOEDE SOET

Rushing to 180 for a big presentation? Suddenly lost all faith in how convincing and entertaining your reel is? It’s cool, take sweets. On your way up Keizersgracht you’ll suddenly find yourself overcome with memories of Roald Dahl confectionary - Whipplescrumptious Fudgemallow Delights, et al. You’re probably close to ‘T Goede Soet, and your olfactory senses are flooding your memory banks. Follow your instincts, you won’t regret it (unless you’re diabetic). This place is beyond description. A tiny old sweet shop packed to the rafters with delicious homemade truffles, chocolates, boiled sweets, cupcakes, etc. Perfect treats for the hardest of agency producers.

KAIZERSGRACHT 238

This hotel is at the top end of anybody’s budget these days, but if you manage to pin down that elusive Wieden’s ECD for a lunch date, this is where you bring them. It’s right around the corner from most of the major agencies and it literally smells of money and power. It smells of leather and cotton and going to see a man about a horse. You’ll end up doing deals before the steak even arrives just because it feels right.

THE QUENTIN ARRIVE HOTEL

If you’re opening a hotel in a building that once did something with Lingerie AND confectionary, you don’t repaint the windows. The Quentin Arrive may not be the most sophisticated hotel in the area, but it has a sultry class that hits you as soon as you walk into the sparse, open plan cafe/ reception area. If you miss Shoreditch House, this is a great place to sit in a big leather chair in a massive empty room and get ignored by the staff… we all need those home comforts when we’re away from Media HQ.

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

A hipster cocktail bar specialising in old fashioned whisky cocktails served by tattooed, moustached twenty somethings in the East end of a city would not be surprising in London, New York, or LA. But in Amsterdam the East end isn’t the trendy zone, and this place sits alone in the middle of a quiet residential area. It’s worth the trip though. We’ve never seen cocktails so lovingly crafted in sleek crystal decanters with the finest accoutrement and an astonishing selection of poisons. The music is all crackling blue grass, and the owners are trendy without being aggressively hip. This is THE place in Amsterdam. But it only fits about 20 people so get in there early.

KESSELSKRAMER PUBLISHING

I don’t pick favourites when it comes to Amsterdam creative agencies. They’re all weird and they’re all wonderful. But I have a special place in my heart for the publishing arm of Amsterdam’s most iconic local agency… KesselsKramer. They might have the scariest office in the world (a freaky old Gothic church building with astroturf carpets and stuffed bunny rabbit lamps… yeah) but the sordid, surreal, and downright life changing material they print, so beautifully, is unmissable. So this is just a quick shout out to KK Publishing. Keep up the good work you crazy sweethearts.

A FEW THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR…

In Amsterdam, as in the US, beer is served in indecipherable measurements that obey some Devilish code known as “the metric system”. No self-respecting Englishman understands any liquid measurement beyond the pint, so watch out for these unusual volumes. They’ll get you smashed.

It get’s really cold in Amsterdam. Even Sasquatch has to wear a bobble hat.

Dutch graf artists are just weird.

Well that’s it for our first Amsterdam travel blog. We’ll be hitting up San Francisco, Silicon Valley, SXSW, New York, and Berlin over the coming months… so keep checking in!

Mimi Cave wanders through the desert with Jim James Mimi Cave...

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:41:40 +0000

Mimi Cave wanders through the desert with Jim James

Mimi Cave has created a beautiful and surreal video for Jim James’ latest single ‘A New Life’. It’s in a desert, sure, but it’s also got a girl with a buffalo head wearing a pink dress… just watch it.

Tabitha Denholm takes to the hills with Haim The Haim sisters...

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:38:11 +0000

Tabitha Denholm takes to the hills with Haim

The Haim sisters have recently taken the music world by storm with their unique, muted style of folk music. Tabitha Denholm knows a thing or two about launching successful singing careers (Florence anybody?) and she’s back waving her wand and working her magic on the Cali songstress siblings. This time with a tantalising and almost spiritual video for the single ‘Falling’.

Canada take a magical journey with Cadbury’s Canada have...

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 19:53:40 +0000

Canada take a magical journey with Cadbury’s

Canada have conjured up this helter-skelter spot, which journeys from a storage cupboard to a heavily protected purple safehouse, via a convoluted route of stuffy tea rooms, fancy shop fronts, and never ending chocolate slides. A madcap trek to discover the secret ingredient of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk… milk.

KINGA’S BACK!! It’s an exciting week for us here at...

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:24:00 +0000

KINGA’S BACK!!

It’s an exciting week for us here at Partizan London… Kinga Burza is back shooting promos in the big smoke. Kinga arrived at Partizan soon after moving to the UK from Melbourne back in 2005, but it didn’t take long for the world to take note, and she’s been travelling the globe shooting promos, commercials, and fashion films ever since. So it’s with great pleasure that we welcome her back to her adopted home for the first time in far too long.

Welcome home Kinga!

Traktor team up with Red & Yellow for some Super Bowl...

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:00:27 +0000

Traktor team up with Red & Yellow for some Super Bowl mayhem

Super Bowl XLVII will go down as one of the exciting sporting events of an era. There was Ray Lewis in floods of tears, one of the longest punt returns in history, a stadium black out, and Beyonce strutting her stuff. But we all know it wouldn’t be the Super Bowl without the stratospheric commercials from the world’s most iconic brands.

This year, Partizan were once again featured in these auspicious ad breaks with a pair of spots for M&Ms. In one, Red goes through a troubled relationship with Glee star Naya Rivera. In the other, Ms. Brown sets an unwitting Red up with a sultry vamp at a cocktail party. She devours him… literally.

Thank you Traktor for making Super Bowl XLVII even more memorable!

Partizan team up with Dave Grohl for his music promo debut You...

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 21:42:37 +0000

Partizan team up with Dave Grohl for his music promo debut

You can rub your eyes and reread that title as many times as you like, but that name ain’t gonna change! Dave Grohl. Rock legend, icon to a generation, and the only man to replace himself at the top of the Billboard Rock chart… twice! (when the Foo’s replaced Nirvana, who were in turn replaced by Queens of the Stone Age).

Not content with being one of the most respected men in music, Grohl has this year turned his eye to directing. After premiering his first documentary at Sundance, Grohl decided to team up with Partizan on his first music promo for Soundgarden.

It’s a perfect starting point: a video with raw passion, an aggressive edge, lots of leather, beer and dinginess… and some segways? Yeah, Dave doesn’t like to take things too seriously. The result is a debut that oozes style and pounding rock vibes, but that makes you giggle a bit too.

Dave Grohl and Partizan. I look forward to writing those names together again soon.

Daniel Brereton reunited with Swim Deep Daniel Brereton is...

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 21:03:46 +0000

Daniel Brereton reunited with Swim Deep

Daniel Brereton is undoubtedly one of our most exciting young talents. Every time he takes on a new project, we wait with baited breath to see which direction he’ll go in.

This new promo for Birmingham four-piece Swim Deep takes the band in a whole new direction to last year’s colourful, paint-splattered collaboration between the artist/director and the boyish band.

This film, shot entirely around the less than picturesque Elephant and Castle, creates a haunting, melancholy, modern take on the glitzy neon Hollywood dream of teens hanging out at shopping malls. It’s a surreal and captivating film - simple but refined. Another excellent step forward for an exciting director.