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Superfad Collaborates With MTV On Indebted Campaign

Moo2u — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:37:54 +0000

Animation has the powerful ability to make the abstract instantly personal and relatable. To inspire a call to action via www.indebted.com, a joint project between mtvU and the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Superfad has produced the second in a series of animated PSAs addressing the dangers of personal and government debt.

Indebted is a campaign directed at college students that aims to raise awareness about excessive debt and promote action to help stop the fiscal crisis in the U.S. With Indebted 2, Superfad helps illustrate what young people might expect from the future, a bleak picture if we don’t help turn back the hands of the national debt clock. This spot is the follow up to an earlier Superfad animated piece that focused on the pitfalls of personal debt.

“The main challenge we faced was walking the very fine line of making the spot desolate without being overwhelmingly depressing,” says Superfad Creative Director Adam Parry. “We worked remotely with Dax (MTV’s Director) from NY to our office in London. He is great with feedback and direction so it all ran very smoothly. We look forward to seeing where they take the campaign next but hope the need for additional spots diminishes as people heed the call to action.”

CREDITS
Client: mtvU & the Peter G. Peterson Foundation

Concept: MTV
Writer/Director: Dax Martinez-Vargas
Senior Director: Sophia Cranshaw

Animation Production: Superfad
Executive Producer: Stuart Robinson
Creative Director: Adam Parry

Syndrome Flies For Dyrdek’s MTV Fantasy Factory

Moo2u — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:53:28 +0000

LA-based directing collective and design/animation group Syndrome just rolled out the show open for Rob Dyrdek’s new MTV show Fantasy Factory. The graphically explosive sequence shows renowned street skater Rob Dyrdek bouncing rapidly through a colorful fantasyland of pipes, ramps, and funnels leading from city streets to twisting pipeworks to the mouth of a lion, among other incredible scenes. Dyrdek’s mascot, Meaty – a mainstay from his original show, Rob and Big – of course accompany him on this rapid-fire montage, joined by new puppy and sidekick Beefy.

To capture this dynamic graphical world, Syndrome shot Dyrdek against a greenscreen and transposed him over the boarded-out scenes. The idea was to create a video that symbolized the free-flowing thoughts in Rob’s head as they materialized in a stylized fashion, capturing his vivid imagination.

“We had a blast with this one!” noted Syndrome’s Executive Producer Monica Blackburn. “Rob and his crew were great to work with. We were really excited to have this opportunity to showcase Syndrome’s ever-evolving capabilities with such a creatively intense crew on a high-profile new show.”

Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory, which launched on MTV on Feb. 8, revolves around a fantasy warehouse in Los Angeles loaded with an incredible skate park, a giant skate ramp launching into a foam pit, a basketball court, Dyrdek’s office loaded with his massive collection of skate decks, and “Corpo,” a corporate office on the second floor that houses his lawyer, toy designer, and executives, among others. Dyrdek will include a whole cast of characters, including an SUV named Stormtrooper, a three-wheeled car named T-Rex that can outrace a Ferrari, and, of course, his dogs Meaty and Beefy.

“Syndrome killed the open,” said Rob Dyrdek. “I wanted something that captured the insanity of what we’re doing with this show and they nailed it. From the live action skating, to the funky graphics – it really sets up the kind of Willy-Wonka fun that we have on the show.”

The Creds:

Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory: Main Title and Show Package Design
Air Date: February 2009
Network: MTV

Concept/Design/VFX: Syndrome
About Robot Films:

Robot Films is a Los Angeles-based creative lab producing music videos, feature and short film, web content, TV and commercials. Lead by veteran Founder/Director Chris Robinson and Executive Producer Amanda Fox, Robot offers a wide range of services, boundless energy, and vast experience . In addition, Robot houses directing collective and design/animation group, Syndrome who are prolific directors and often collaborate on Robot directed jobs. Syndrome is a multi-disciplined trio comprised of Directors/Designers Micah Hancock, James Larese, and Mars Sandoval. Syndrome’s primary focus is merging science with soul, and manipulating technology for the sake of creative growth and artistic expression.

RELATED LINKS
www.robotfilmcompany.com

http://www.syndromestudio.com/about.html

Monsters Vs. Aliens: DreamWorks Create Classic

Moo2u — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:25:58 +0000

DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures Corporation present DreamWork’s first film to be produced in Ulitmate 3-D technology. ‘Monsters Vs Aliens’ reinvents the classic 50s monster movie into an irreverent modern day action comedy. When a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country, The American President is persuaded by General W.R. Monger to enlist a motley crew of Monsters to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction. ‘Monsters Vs. Aliens’ is directed by Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon, produced by Lisa Stewart and co-produced by Jill Hooper & Latifa Ouaou.

When California girl Susan Murphy is unwittingly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall. Alerted to the threat of this new monster, the military jumps into action and Susan is captured and secreted away to a covert government compound.

There, she is renamed Ginormica and placed in confinement with a group of other monsters: the brilliant insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; half-ape, half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and a 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus.

Their confinement is cut short, however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In a moment of desperation, The President is persuaded by General W.R. Monger to enlist the motley crew of Monsters to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction.

The cast of ‘Monsters vs Aliens’ includes: Ocar Winner Reese Witherspoon as Susan Murphy aka Ginomica; Golden Globe winner Hugh Laurie as Dr. Cockroach Ph.D; Will Arnett as The Missing Link; Seth Rogen as B.O.B; Rainn Wilson as Gallaxhar; Emmy Winner Stephen Colbert as The President of the United States; Golden Globe winner Kiefer Sutherland as General W.R. Monger; and Paul Rudd as Susan’s boyfriend Derek.

‘Monsters Vs. Aliens’ is directed by Rob Letterman (Shark Tale) and Conrad Vernon (Shrek 2), produced by Lisa Stewart and co-produced by Jill Hooper and Latifa Ouaou.

The film marks the theatrical debut of DreamWorks Animation’s Ultimate 3-D, the studio’s proprietary production process of authoring its animated films in 3-D from start to finish. ‘Monsters Vs. Aliens’ is due for release 27 March 2009.

About DreamWorks Animation SKG
DreamWorks Animation is principally devoted to developing and producing computer generated, or CG, animated feature films. With world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced CG filmmaking technology and techniques, DreamWorks Animation makes high quality CG animated films meant for a broad movie-going audience. The Company has theatrically released a total of fifteen animated feature films including Antz, Shrek, Shrek 2, Shark Tale, Madagascar, Over
the Hedge, Shrek the Third and Bee Movie.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Picutures Corporation is a unit of Viacom. a global entertainment company that produces and distributes filmed entertainment through the Paramount Motion Picutre Group. PHE is responsible for the worldwide sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS, PBS and Hasbro, and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.

(Article by: CGnews.com)

Shilo and Ogilvy Win Gold for MTV Burma P.S.A.

Moo2u — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:16:45 +0000

Shilo and Ogilvy & Mather Amsterdam have won the 2008 London International Awards Gold Statue for Television/Cinema Animation. Their work, a collaboration with MTV Networks and The Burma Arts Board; is a provocative, groundbreaking 90-second Public Service Announcement entitled “Burma Viral”. Featuring a custom score from Amsterdam-based Good Sounds and meticulously animated footage of warplanes bombing Burma with flowers as a dramatic call-to-action, the film invited viewers to visit a Burma Arts Board website. There, visitors can send messages of support to the people of Burma in honor of their continuing struggles against their oppressive government, and also learn more about the devastating effects caused by Cyclone Nargis and contribute to relief efforts.

Shilo co-founder André Stringer served as the company’s creative director on the project, and as its lead artist, together with Tamir Sapir and David Hill. The company’s executive producers were Tracy Chandler and Mark Hanrahan, Lindsay Bodanza was their producer, and Brenda Bentz van den Berg was the agency’s producer.

Quote:

“We seized this opportunity to make a project with Carl Le Blond, MTV and our other partners that people would connect with, that would raise awareness of the difficulties faced by the people of Burma,” said Shilo’s Stringer and Chandler following the presentation of the award in London. “We’re extremely proud that the prestigious judges of the London International Awards chose this project as the best in its category, and we’re still optimistic that the film’s message of powerful people and forces uniting to aid the citizens of Burma can come to pass… despite their harrowing, continuing struggles.”

Quote:

“In regard to this project, from the very beginning, everyone I met at Shilo was just automatically going above and beyond… and that to me is what filmmaking is all about,” Le Blond said. “As the details of the cyclone came to light, that same spirit allowed us all to take the film a step further, to a point where it could potentially heighten relief efforts, while also raising awareness for the social difficulties these people face every day, even under normal circumstances. So as you might easily imagine, the recognition of this Gold London International Award really is a great result for a great piece of work.”

Of the nearly 18,000 total submissions into the London International Awards from 81 countries, only five percent reached finalist status. From that elite group, less than two percent earned Silver and less than one percent won Gold.

Quote:

“The standard of animation in film has just made quantum leaps forward in the past few years,” commented Barbara Levy, president of London International Awards. “Only the very best would be considered for metal.”

Last month, the “Burma Viral” project was also presented with the Silver Shark Award during the 46th annual Kinsale Shark Awards, in the category of International Craft: Best Animation. One of the longest running international advertising festivals, the Kinsale Shark Awards celebrate the best work in broadcast advertising from Ireland and around the world.

About Shilo
Shilo is an Emmy Award-winning creative production company representing a group of filmmakers led by directors Jose Gomez and Andre Stringer. Internationally known for creating original and commissioned work that is powerful, provocative and visually extraordinary, Shilo’s deeply held passions for design-infused storytelling and their innovative applications of live-action, design, and animation techniques deliver breakthrough experiences for screens large and small. From its studios in New York and Del Mar, California, where recent projects have spanned short films, commercials and music videos, Shilo has the capacity and experience to originate ideas and handle all aspects of production. Shilo published its first book, We Make It Good, in 2007.

CREDITS:
Project Title: noneofusarefree.org “Burma Viral” (Emergency version)
Project Length: :90
Debut Date: 15 May 2008

Clients: MTV Networks International and The Burma Arts Board
MTV Networks International: John Jackson, Director of Social Responsibility
The Burma Arts Board: Suki Dusanj, Founder
Sam Roddick, Activist

Advertising Agency: Ogilvy & Mather Amsterdam
Executive Creative Director: Carl Le Blond
Agency Producer: Brenda Bentz van den Berg
Writer: Carl Le Blond

Production Company: Shilo (Bicoastal, USA)
Director: Shilo
Creative Director: Andre Stringer
Executive Producer: Tracy Chandler
Executive Producer (UK): Mark Hanrahan
Lead Artists: Andre Stringer, Tamir Sapir, David Hill
Matte Painting: Mathieu Reynault and Rodeo FX, Andre Stringer, Marco Giampaolo, Cassidy Gearhart, Noah Conopask
3D Animators: Henning Koczy, Richard Cayton, Ohad Bracha, Bren Wilson, Eugen Sasu, Kiel Figgens
3D Artists: Christina Ku, Richard Kim, Warren Heimall, Craig Kohlemeyer, Scott Denton
Compositors: David Hill, Andre Stringer, Tamir Sapir, Marco Giampaolo, Cassidy Gearhart, Noah Conopask, Stieg Retlin
Typography: Evan Dennis
Miniature Design: Willi Patton
Editor: Nathan Caswell
Sound Design: Dante Nou
Coordinator: Danielle Smith
Producer: Lindsay Bodanza

Music & Final Mix: Good Sounds (Amsterdam)

RELATED WEBSITES:
Burma Arts Board: www.noneofusarefree.org
Shilo’s portfolio site: www.wemakeitgood.com/article/live/burma
Shilo: www.shilo.tv

(Article by: CGnews.com)