Two short films directed by Matt Checkowski and produced by The D4D, Porter Braised Ox "Cheek" and "Mixed Berries, Three Ways",” have been named part of the official selection for the 7th Annual NYC Food Film Festival, which runs October 23rd — 27th, 2013 in New York City.
The Food Film Festival (http://thefoodfilmfestival.com) sprang from the imagination of Festival Director and Travel Channel host George Motz, the documentary filmmaker behind the award-winning Hamburger America film and book, along with co-creator Harry Hawk. Through documentaries, features and short films, the Festival showcases the best, and the most memorable, of the world’s favorite foods. Along with a heaping helping of mouth-watering films, Motz, Hawk and company serve up the food that guests are watching on the screen for a multi-sensory experience.

“I am excited to be a part of the festival and to screen these short films for audiences who share our passion for unique food experiences,” notes Matt Checkowski, Director/Founder of The D4D. “Connecting the visual narratives with a story for the palate makes for an inspired take on the traditional film festival.”
Porter Braised Ox Cheek" and "Mixed Berries, Three Ways” feature Chef Martin Berg of Michelin-starred restaurant Mathias Dahlgren as he prepares some of his favorite dishes. The films are part of a near painterly short film series surrounding Berg’s appreciation and mastery of fine ingredients. Each unfolds in reverse; an homage to culinary magic.
This is the second time The D4D and Matt Checkowski have had work in the Food Film Festival. Two years ago the Chicago iteration screened its short film for Intelligentsia “Espresso” The film is part of a series created for Intelligentsia’s core audience of coffee obsessives and artisanal culturistas.
Food and drink are reoccurring themes in The D4D's storytelling. Checkowski recently curated a collection of stills taken during his culinary content adventures, exploring the oldest bakery in Berlin, meeting the rock star butcher of London and a master class with the Pope of Foam. Read more about Matt’s tales from behind the counter: http://checkowski.com/tales-from-behind-the-counter/

Everyone loves a good biff, especially when it has absolutely nothing to do with The Footy Show. Here, I’m speaking about the one and only Brisbane International Film Festival also known as BIFF. The Gold Coast, being the cultural vacuum that it is, us film geeks eagerly await the annual BIFF where a selection of films from around the world are screened over the course of one and a bit weeks. This year I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the BIFF crew by putting together articles on various films for the website and daily newsletter. With dozens of movies crammed into the 11-day event it would be easy to miss some of the real gems. The good news is I’ve taken a look at the complete line-up of films screening at this year's festival and even watched some of them early. So, the following is my list of the films you MUST SEE or die at this year's BIFF.

For you international readers this can be a handy guide of limited release films you should keep an eye out for in the coming weeks/months.

• An Education — the opening night film starring Peter Sarsgaard and set in the 60s. The Sars-man in a film with romance, drama and intrigue sounds like too rare an opportunity to miss.
• BALIBO — the notorious tale of five young, Australian journalists who were executed while reporting on Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor in 75. An impressive Aussie cast including Gyton Grantley, Nathan Phillips and Anthony LaPaglia expose the Australian and Indonesian governments shameless efforts to cover-up this important story.
• Coraline — has been covered extensively on this blog given its beautiful visuals and dark storyline. Directed by Henry Selick, director of the classic Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline follows the adventures of a young girl who discovers a secret door leading to an alternative reality.
• 500 Days of Summer — a last minute addition to the festival line-up, this quirky, nontraditional love story deserves to be seen purely because it features the talents of my favourite Joseph Gordon Levitt. It also stars everyone’s favourite indie film star Zoey Deschanel.
• CHE: Parts One & Two — director Steven Soderbergh’s stunning two-part opus based on the life Che Guevara and starring Benicio Del Toro in the title role. You’ll be hard pressed to catch this screened back to back anywhere else in Queensland.
• Away We Go — highly peculiar, yet, interesting film which looks at the journey of two thirtsomethings who discover they’re going to have a baby. Instead of settling down and preparing, the couple take to the road to visit old friends. This is the latest thing from the amicable Sam Mendes and marks a return to his off-beat indie roots.
• The September Issue — one of the most anticipated documentaries of the year, this film delves into the life of legendary Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour in the lead-up to the massive September issue.
• Jules And Jim — this French film from the 60s is a classic love-triangle with arguably the most recognisable face in French cinema — Jeanne Moreau.
• Moon — one of the films I’m most looking forward to, this sci-fi thriller i s the debut feature from David Bowie’s son Duncan Jones and stars Sam Rockwell in what is said to be the performance of his career.
• The Missing Person — a private detective is hired to follow a missing person but what started as a simple job rapidly develops into a complex mystery. Full of double-crosses and classic noir moments, this is a film not to be missed by lovers of all things noir.
• The Strength of Water (below) — having Maori parentage, I like to pay special attention to films from indigenous New Zealand filmmakers. The Strength of Water is definitely worth the gaze. A unique look at the complexity of grief through the eyes of a 10-year-old living in an isolated Maori community. Beautiful, naturalistic, creative and moving. A must-see.
• Van Dieman’s Land — the infamous tale of Australia’s very own Hannibal Lecter gets the big screen treatment from a filmmaker heading for the stratosphere.Subdivison — Brisbanite Ash Bradman (from Nova radio fame) wrote and stars in this appealing comedy set in semirural Hervey Bay. Fans of Aussie films like Crackerjack, The Castle and Kenny are likely to enjoy this.
• The Cove — along with Cathy Henkel’s The Burning Season, this has to be one of the most important documentaries of the year and looks at the culling of dolphins in the picturesque town of Tokyo, Japan. Part horror film, part espionage thriller and part environmental documentary, The Cove is all part's essential viewing. It Might Get Loud — there’s no time for air guitar in this documentary which takes the audience on a candid trip into the world of three of rock’s most iconic electric guitarists; Jimmy Page (Led Zepplin), the Edge (U2), and Jack White (The White Stripes).
• Black Dynamite — if I even have to explain to you the plot of this film, given the sheer volume of posts about it on this blog, then you deserve to be pimp-slapped into a China cabinet. Here’s your chance to see what all the fuss is about.
• Dead Snow — Tarantino and Rodriguez fans, like myself, are likely to adore the work of the Norwegian lads behind this low-budget, horror slapstick about Nazi zombies. Writer/director Tommy Wirkola and writer/star Stig Frode Henriksen have been pipped for big things since their debut short Kill Buljo and their first feature doesn’t disappoint. Catch their work before it explodes as their next film Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters has been picked up by The Weinstein Company (bada-boom).
• Storage — a tense, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller from Brisbane filmmaker Michael Craft and starring Gold Coast actor Matt Scully in the lead role. An impressively clever debut from Craft who shot the film in storage facilities in and around Brisvegas. Creepy.
• The Horsemen — containing what is said to be one of the `most amazing fight scenes captured’ is there really any other reason to see this?

Ticket prices are cheap as chips compared to a normal outing at the movies and BIFF is running a series of workshops where you can meet the director, producer, writer and/or stars of some of the films.

Roadside Entertainment recently turned to MindSmack’s editing and post talent for the inspiring digital campaign “The Next Level” for Lexus. Working in close collaboration with Roadside Entertainment, MindSmack Editor Paul DiNatale helped shape short documentary vignettes that showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of eight celebrity business owners from a variety of industries. The films feature luminaries Russell Simmons, Grant Achatz, Padma Lakshmi, Steve Stoute, Rachel Roy, Jessica Alba, Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, and Adam Rapoport. These entrepreneurs elevate industry standards as they each strive to achieve “the pursuit of perfection.” Being fearless, bold and forging new roads to success is the ‘through-line’ with each filmed portrait, and this sentiment dominates this compelling campaign.

See more of the campaign here.
"Lexus wanted to do a series of short films about pioneers in all walks of life and how they approach the challenge of reaching the next level,” notes Director Ron Yassen. “We needed to book, shoot, and edit eight high-profile pieces in three months in order to launch the campaign, so our production timeline was quite difficult. MindSmack's team of editors and artists helped us realize our creative vision, kept us on track and on budget, and made the campaign a huge success.”

“These spots were a fun challenge to work on, getting the messaging just right in a fairly short segment can be tricky; but working with EP John Hirsch and his crew made our job here at MindSmack a breeze,” comments Editor Paul DiNatale, who has edited acclaimed work for ESPN, CBS, ABC, HBO, USA Nickelodeon, TruTV, VH1, Showtime and more.

Credits:
Production Company: Roadside Entertainment
Director: Ron Yassen
Executive Producers: John Hirsch, Cash Warren
Post-Production Company: MindSmack
Creative Editor: Paul DiNatale
Colorist: Dario Bigi
Sound Mixer: Brian Rund

Meet Brandon Allen, not your typical winemaker...SLO Down wines is a small winemaker in the heart of California’s wine country. But their attitude is very different from the rest of the stuffy wine industry. They believe wine should be for everyone, the 99%, not just the elites. And while everyone knows the concept of “wine pairings,” the guys at SLO Down have a very different take on what their wine goes great with. This campaign is a series of short films that shows suggested and suggestive pairings for what their wine goes great with.

Credits:
Client: SLO Down Wines
Campaign Title: Goes Great With 

Spot Titles: “Threesomes”, “Equestrianism”, “Horticulture”

Production Company: Harvest Films
Director: Baker Smith
Executive Producer: Bonnie Goldfarb
Head of Production: Niko Whelan
Producer: Leslie Owen

Editorial Company: Arcade Edit
Editors: Paul Martinez and Dean Miyahira
Managing Partner/EP: Damian Stevens
Executive Producer: Nicole Visram

Online: Airship Post

Music: Critical Mass
Composer: H. Scott Salinas
Sound Design/Mix: Tobias Enhus

To celebrate the opening of the Louis Vuitton Kusama Concept Store at Selfridges London, Louis Vuitton and Selfridges have created "Spot the Difference", two playful short films starring the fashion blogger and style icon, Bip Ling.
While the room spins to the verses of the Yayoi Kusama poem "Love Forever", viewers are invited to literally spot five differences between the two films. Visit the Louis Vuitton Yayoi Kusama Universe at http://www.louisvuittonkusama.com.

Credits:
Production Company: White Lodge
Concept / Director: Ehsan Bhatti
Executive Producer: Stephen Whelan
Producer: Louise Gagen
Production Design: Mikey Hollywood
Styling: Bay Garnett
Hair & Makeup: Katy Nixon
Model: Bip Ling

After an unexplained event involving a samurai sword and a rave, two friends frantically try to leave town. A chance encounter with an old family friend puts an unwanted delay on their escape plans.

“The Hiccup” is a short film directed by Community Films‘ Matt Smukler. It won Best Comedy Short Film at the San Diego International Film Festival, was a finalist at Woodstock International Film Festival, a finalist at Soho Rushes Short Film Festival, and winner of the Noccicinema Film Festival Best Foreign Film. It has also played in competition at the Dallas International Film Festival, New York City International Film Festival, LA Comedy Shorts, Hollyshorts, New Orleans Film Festival and the LA Indie Film Festival.

For commercial film production, Matt Smukler is represented by Community Films in the US.

Credits:
The Hiccup
Directed by Matt Smukler
Written by Matt Smukler and Rob Chester Smith

Producer: Carr Donald
Executive Producer: Carl Swan
Cinematographer: Tim Hudson
Editor: Jim Ulbrich

Cast:
Rob Chester Smith
Eric Normington
Carol Mansell
Dennis Howard

Production Designer: Ron Hellman
Costume Designer: Jennifer Johnson
Original Music: Stephan Altman
Head of Production: Alexandra Chamberlain

Production Supervisor: Nick Shandra
Production Coordinator: Nessie Anaya
First Assistant Director: Scott Harris
Second Assistant Director: Mark Robinson

Script Supervisor: Kristin Calabrese

First Assistant Camera: Bob San Martin
Second Assistant Camera: David McDonald
Loader: Eliseo Romero

On Set Mixer: Dan Kent
Boom Operator: Hanna Collins
VTR: Ken Perkins

Casting Director: Francine Selkirk

Assistant Art Director: Diana Kramer
Decorator: Analise Hellmann
Leadman: Sean Ryan
Propmaster: Paul Linkogle
Set Dressers: Ethan Jacob, Mikki Mamaril

Key Costumer: Emily Virgil
Assistant Costumer: Molly Keogh
Make Up: Bridget O'Neil
Assistant Make Up: Tanya Cookingham
Gaffer: Mike Butler
BB Grip: Mike Fletcher
Electric: Bob King
Electric Driver: Hector Castillo
Key Grip: Pat Christman
BB Grip: Joel Bystrom
Grip: Fred Davis
Grip Driver: Mark Davies
Location Manager: Greg Campeau
Camera Arm: Bill Peters
Craft Service: Brian Hoenig
Set Production Assistants: Stephen Kinney, Guy Buckland, Hercules Goes, Nelson Pena, Michael Tumino, Ethan Jacob
Colorist: Sparkle
Sound Mixer: Glenn Landrum
Storyboards: Joe James
via: Glossy

STA Travel Australia sent 3 of their mates, Rick Mereki, Andrew Lees and Tim White on an amazing trip around the world, a 6 week journey of a lifetime crammed into one epic minute.
3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage... all to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning and food....into 3 beautiful and hopefully compelling short films...a trip of a lifetime.
Credits:
Rick Mereki: Director, producer, additional camera and editing
Tim White: DOP, producer, primary editing, sound
Andrew Lees: Actor, mover, groover
These films were commissioned by STA Travel Australia
Music Recorded and mixed by Jake Phillips
Colour Grade: Edel Rafferty and Roslyn Di Sisto
Online Edit: Peter Mirecki
Assistance in titles and production design: Lee Gingold, Jason Milden, Rohan Newman

Chivas Regal have partnered with Academy Award winning short film-maker Joachim Back to make two cinematic films that focus on the trials, tribulations and idiosyncrasies of modern male friendships. The films will act as the online centerpiece to a campaign that spans TV, print, and social media.

Joachim Black takes the audience through break-ups, breakdowns and good times and brings his trademark comic sensibility to celebrate real friends and the stories that bind them forever.

Film and Chivas lovers alike can raise a glass to Big Bear or Twinkle and discover the full story online here at the Chivas website.

The films form part of Chivas Regal’s ongoing Live with Chivalry campaign which launched in 2008 and encourages men to aspire not just to have more, but to be more.

Australian jean maker BillyCock apparently makes denim worth dying for, I'm sure you'll agree after watching the spot that the tagline should have been Worth Killing For. Jai Films, the production company behind the film, confirmed that TV networks had been approached, but they had declined to run the film because of its strong content. The film is intended for cinema and the internet.

The video was directed by Jared Beekhuyzen. Jai Films created the film from concept to completion; no ad agency was involved. Billycock plans to run an ad suitable for TV in the new year.
Credits:
Director: Jared Beekhuyzen
Concept: Jared Beekhuyzen
Producer: Igor Shmaryn
DOP: Christopher Lee Miles
Editor: Alan Harca
PROD: JAI Films

You’ll never think about Tide and Oreo Cookies the same way again, creative ad agency, mono teamed up with high fashion director and photographer Matthew Donaldson to amplify universal truths about everyday items to epic proportions with a suite of national ads for Target and The Everyday Collection.

Spot: "Matador" — Tonight's menu: sirloin steak, chicken breasts and pork, with a side of fierce. Welcome to The Everyday Collection by Target.

Is Target's grocery aisle ready for its close up?

Target is pushing its food, laundry detergent and other groceries in a national ad campaign that pokes fun at high-fashion advertising by featuring models interacting with everyday products.

In one ad, a model in a white dress and high heels struts by blueberry muffin and cake mix boxes that explode in different colors. Then she crushes an egg with her hand.

"Dominate that PTA bake sale," a voiceover whispers. "The Everyday Collection. By Target."

The campaign is part of a larger move by Target, better known for its cheap-chic clothing and home goods, to focus more on its grocery-store aisle. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other Target competitors also have been expanding their selection of groceries to lure more customers into stores.

For its part, Target has been expanding its grocery selection, particularly with investments in its "P-Fresh" fresh-food section. Out of its 1,782 stores, about 1100 have an expanded fresh food layout and more than 250 have a full grocery store.

With that push complete, Target decided the time was right to put the focus on its groceries, but in a way that still plays on Target's fashion know how, said chief marketing officer Jeff Jones.

Target, with ad agency Mono in Minneapolis, created the tongue-in-cheek campaign that treats groceries and home products like fashion accessories in a photo shoot. Spending is undisclosed on the ad campaign, but it will include eight TV ads that will run throughout 2013. In addition to TV spots and newspaper inserts, it will include eight TV spots, three radio ads, and digital short films that will run as banner ads online.

One TV ad shows an $11.99 bottle of Tide laundry detergent and a model in a white dress dancing fancifully.

"We all yearn for something," says a voiceover as bubbles float by the model. "And that something is the other sock."

The campaign "creates a foil for what people are used to seeing for grocery advertising," said Jones. "It combines the design ethos and fashion creditability that Target has with the idea that it also has great grocery items at a great price." article via: The Associated Press.

Spot: "Laundry" — Lose yourself in Tide laundry detergent. Who knows what you'll find? Give in to The Everyday Collection. By Target.

Spot: "Ravenous" — Pickles, Ruffles chips and other timeless cravings. Attack! Give in to The Everyday Collection. By Target.

Spot: "Bake Sale" — Cake and muffin mix hit the catwalk in true Target fashion. Welcome to The Everyday Collection. By Target.

Credits:
Creative Ad Agency: mono, Minneapolis.
Director: Matthew Donaldson
Creative Co-Chair: Paula Biondich

Shot entirely on location at Autodrome St-Eustache, Québec, we follow Brad Carlton who qualified to compete for the first time ever against top Formula DRIFT drivers including Daigo Saito, Kenny Moen, Dean Kearney, Charles Ng, Robbie Nishida and Forest Wang.

Creative Credits:  
Ad Agency: Feast Interactive
Creative Director: Rob Vena
Director: Ante Kovac
Editor: Cian McDevitt, Saints Editorial
Director of Photography: Kiel Milligan
Agency Producer: Lucia Mariani
Production Co.: Revolver Films
Producer: Marielle La Rue
Sound Design: Boom Studio Toronto
Driver: Brad Carlton
This film is presented by SYLVANIA SilverStar® zXe high octane headlights.

For Those Lost, Just Not Forgotten

Director Cole Webley just completed this beautiful, powerful and moving passion project, a short film titled "For Those Lost, Just Not Forgotten".

"The film is a visual expression of the angst of being lost — emotionally," explains Webley. "It represents something we all go through, and something that is integral to the human experience. We certainly don't like it, but we almost can't avoid feeling this way at some time or another."

The imagery of the film is set to a poem written by Chateau Bezerra, an Art Director at AKQA, whom Webley went to university with and where the two collaborated on some of the director's first spec work.

Feeling the need to re-charge his batteries, after a busy year shooting commercial films, Webley began this project as a personal creative outlet. He had been shooting a lot of footage and was in the process of editing it together, and trying to figure out a way to tie it all together, when he showed the footage to Bezerra who was immediately inspired to write the poem.

Webley instantly fell in love with the poem, and it provided him with the structure and the narrative he'd been seeking. He then shot more footage, to fill in the gaps, and began cutting it to the poem after the voice over was recorded.

Credits:
Directed, Photographed, and Edited by Cole Webley
A Poem by Chateau Bezerra
Music by Adam Taylor

Narration by Jessica Vizzone
Cole Webley is represented by Holiday Films in Canada, and by Uber Content in the US.
http://holidayfilms.tv/http://ubercontent.com/
Thanks Shannon

The movie Alma (in English, “Soul”) – made by Brazilian production company Sentimental Filme – has just won two awards at the prestigious D&AD competition, in London. This brings the tally of international prizes to 12 for this short film conceived by advertising agency F/Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi.

The first Leica brand campaign in Brazil, the film is part of the launch activities for the German camera maker’s unique concept store in the country – in São Paulo – and features the new M Monochrom digital camera designed to produce stunning photos in black and white.

Alma won for Best Direction and for Cinematography in the Film Advertising Crafts' category with accolades for Vellas and André Faccioli respectively. "The D&AD is possibly one of the hardest prizes to win. The level is very high and the festival showcases many films from all around the world made by influential production companies and filmed by top directors. Just being nominated for a D&AD was something incredible for us, but to win two golden pencils [the statues based on the British awards symbol] was really beyond our expectations and very gratifying. Really amazing", said the director Vellas. This year Brazilian productions bagged four of the coveted D&AD pencil trophies.

Between wars and loves, this is an engaging story of a photographer narrated from the unusual point of view of his own camera. In black and white, the movie sports unconventional angles and, sometimes, deliberately blurred images, as if the camera was held in the actual hand or slung round the neck of the photographer himself.

Hopes are now high that following the film’s success at D&AD Alma will be in the running at the prestigious Cannes Lions 2013, which take place from 16 to 22 June.

The production company...
In 11 years of creative activity, Sentimental Filme has become one of the most important advertising film producers from Brazil. Winner of several national and international awards, including a Bronze Lion at Cannes, three Clio Awards, and two One Show prizes, the company also has a division that produces content for TV, internet, entertainment, interactive advertising, corporate communications and new media. Its major clients include Fiat, Ford, Panasonic, Volkswagen, Visa, Procter & Gamble and AB Imbev.

Credits:
Production company: Sentimental Filme
Director: Vellas
Director of Photography: André Faccioli
Executive Producers: Marcos Araújo, Marcelo Altschuler
Production Director: Eduardo Venturi
Editing: Talles Martins
Sound: Satélite Áudio
Voiceover: Christine Behm
Post-production: Sindicato VFX
Agency: F/Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi
Creative Directors: Fabio Fernandes | Eduardo Lima
Art Director: João Linneu
Creative team: Bruno Oppido | Thiago Carvalho | João Linneu
RTVC: Victor Alloza
Accounts: Marcello Penna | Melanie Zmetek
Planning: José Porto | Rafael Paes
Approval | Client: Luiz Marinho

With the release of a documentary short film today, Zulu Alpha Kilo and Audi Canada have put the final touches on the Audi quattro® Experience. This one-of-a-kind interactive installation put participants in the driver’s seat of a custom-made 1:32 scale Audi A4 quattro® slot car for the chance to test their on-track skills.

Using the world’s first iPad enabled slot car controller, visitors to the installation were able to take their A4 for a wild test-drive around hairpin turns, down long highway straightaways and through icy mountain passes – terrain that would get the better of lesser vehicles.

The project involved a number of innovations to marry the worlds of slot car racing and technology with the Audi brand:

•A handcrafted 140 sq. ft. (20’ by 7’) custom slot car track
•3D printed 2013 Audi A4 vehicle shells fit with Audi quattro® all wheel drive slot car chassis and custom in-car cameras
•Custom iPad app integrating live in-car camera feed and digital voltage modulator to control vehicle acceleration
•High definition bird’s eye view race cam with integrated Facebook, Twitter and YouTube share function

The track also included this brilliant billboard...nice.
The film, entitled “Painting Coconuts”, captures the entire build through the eyes of track maker David Beattie of Slot Mods USA. Set behind the scenes leading up to launch of the Audi quattro Experience, the film offers a unique look into Beattie’s personal story, his passion for the art of custom track design and the sport of slot car racing. It also delves into his process and the challenges his team faced to execute a project with so many innovative features. The film was directed by Tamir Moscovici (Urban Outlaw) of Industry Films.

Zak Mroueh, President and Executive Creative Director of Zulu Alpha Kilo, said, “This was the perfect opportunity for us to reimagine what a test drive could be, and bring a truly unique and memorable experience to Audi fans.”

Jennifer Dobbs, Audi Brand Marketing Manager, said, “In every way, this innovative experience brings to life our passion for design, craftsmanship and sportiness. It’s also a perfect embodiment of the progressive ideals of the Audi brand and our desire to delight our customers in Canada.”

Captured through the eyes of track maker David Beattie of Slot Mods USA, the film offers a unique look into his personal story, passion for the art of custom track design and the sport of slot car racing.

It also delves into the process and challenges his team faced to execute a project with so many innovative features.

Credits:
Client: Jennifer Dobbs
Agency: Zulu Alpha Kilo
Executive Creative Director: Zak Mroueh
Creative Director: Shane Ogilvie
Copy Writer: Jon Webber
Art Director: Simon Au
Agency Producer: David Isaac
Account Team: Adam Lang, Barrett Holman, Christina Polyzos
Production House: Industry Films
Digital Production House: Thinkingbox
Director: Tamir Moscovici
Media Agency: Mediacom
Track Fabrication: Slot Mods
Event Company: Vision Co.
Cinematographers: Anthony Arendt, Vinit Borrison
Post Production: Married To Giants And Alter Ego
Colourist: Wade Odlum
Editor: Paul Proulx
Audio House: Pirate Audio

Norman, a house cat is the new Eco-Warrior for WWF (World Wildlife Foundation) Canada in this new web film created by the Toronto based agency John St.

Meet Norman. He's not your everyday house cat. Little by little he's helping to save our oceans.

There is an urgent need and opportunity for Canada to meet the increasing national and international demand for sustainable seafood products, while changing the way we fish. It’s time for a new sustainable vision on how to steward and protect our oceans, and the wildlife that inhabit them.
Learn more about him and his mission at http://www.wwf.ca/seafood

Credits:Ad Agency: John St. Toronto, Canada
Co-Creative Director & Partner: Stephen Jurisic & Angus Tucker
Art Director: Denver Eastman
Copywriter: Jacob Greer
Account Team: Melissa Tobenstein & Amelia MacGregor
Producer: Shawna McPeek
Production Partners: Aircastle Films, Will Beauchamp & Jamie Cussen
Sound Company: The Dark Studio, Grant Edmonds and Gabe Knox
Press:

Some Canadians might not know how
important it is to choose sustainable seafood. But WWF-Canada has found
someone who does: Norman the Eco-warrior cat.
Norman and WWF-Canada have teamed up to promote Loblaw Companies
Limited’s commitment to sustainably source 100% of seafood sold in its retail
locations by the end of 2013.
Why use a cat?
“The idea that even the fish in cat food will be sustainable is a great way to
communicate the scope of the commitment,” said Stephen Jurisic, Co-
Creative Director at john st. “And who cares more about fish than a cat?”
“Canadians want sustainable seafood options, and we’re proud that Loblaw, a longtime
WWF partner, is making it easily available across the country,” said Hadley
Archer, Vice-President of Strategic Partnerships, WWF-Canada. “We hope that
Norman will encourage Canadian consumers to choose sustainably-sourced seafood
at their local grocery store, thanks to Loblaw’s world-leading commitment.”
The campaign’s centerpiece is a short online documentary that chronicles Norman’s
commitment to living a more sustainable life – one that includes upcycling, energy
and water conservation and in-home garbage sorting programs.
The film will be promoted through social media channels and leveraging WWF’s
passionate fans and followers. You can watch it on WWF-Canada’s facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/WWFCanada “The internet is pretty big on cats, “ says
Jurisic, “if this gets half the love Ninja Kitty got, we’d be very very happy.”
john st. Team

The University of Oklahoma wanted to position its new cancer center as the best in the region with a message of hope. Milwaukee agency BVK didn't want a maudlin ad full of hand holding, hugs, and worried children. "How do we do another spot about hope that feels fresh?" asks creative director Mike Holicek. They chose to focus on the hair loss that comes with chemotherapy—an often traumatic experience for women, who feel they are losing their femininity. Their 60-second spot flips that script: It opens with a woman at her lowest point, alone at dawn, head bald, a tear falling down her cheek. Then, as she goes about her morning routine, her hair grows back, little by little, scene by scene, until she has a full head of hair. The change is so gradual that there's a sudden moment of recognition when the viewer realizes what is happening—a spark of delight that hints at the longer glow of hope the client can provide.

COPYWRITING: The ad is understated and uncomplicated—ordinary domestic scenes with "little moments of real life that are not spectacular," says director Rafael Fernandez. The woman showers, dresses, and makes a sandwich for her daughter. "It's the mother's struggle, it's her moment," explains BVK executive creative director Rich Kohnke. The action takes place over several months, but it's shot as though it were a single morning—which makes the healing process feel quietly magical. At the end, a female voiceover says: "When you have every resource for beating cancer, you have every reason for hope. Pioneering research and treatments from the new cancer center at OU Medicine. Another level of medicine." On-screen copy adds: "Oklahoma's only comprehensive cancer center," followed by the OU Medicine logo and Web address.

ART DIRECTION: The woman's hair is the main visual motif. The agency considered using CGI to show the hair growing continuously. That felt over the top. Instead, Fernandez shot everything in camera. He filmed the scenes in reverse order, and had the actress cut her hair between each one—seven trims in all. The spot begins in gloomy dark blues, and then brightens—but not excessively. "We wanted to stay within the same universe and just come to the brighter version of that world," says Fernandez.

FILMING: The ad was shot in a single day in a house in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles. The camerawork is subtle and elegant. "Most of the shots have just a little bit of floating to them," says Fernandez. "It has that feeling that you're witnessing these scenes as a person there."

TALENT: The actress, Heather Ann Smith, was able to transition from despair to measured hope with simple movements and gestures. For the first scene (the last one shot), Fernandez helped to get Smith in the mind-set by narrating a piece of text he had written about "what I thought would go through someone's mind who is faced with a situation where the hopes and dreams of their life may never come to fruition." Shaving one's head is a drastic move for an actress, but after shooting, Smith landed a role on Torchwood that called for short hair. She also had the support of her fiancé, even though their wedding was approaching.

SOUND: The composer, Bryan Mir, came up with a Spanish-flavored acousticguitar track that the creatives felt, against all odds, fit perfectly. The client hated it. They went with an acoustic guitar track that was more toned down.

MEDIA: Broadcast and cable across Oklahoma and into neighboring states, where there aren't other major medical centers.

Credits:
Client: OU Medicine
Agency: BVK, Milwaukee
Executive Creative Director: Rich Kohnke
Creative Directors: Mike Holicek/Mike Scalise
Writer: Mike Holicek
Art Director: Rich Kohnke
Agency Producer: Allison Lockwood
Account Supervisor: Tricia Lewis
Account Executive: Ali Dawe
Director: Rafael Fernandez, Green Dot Films
Editor: Bryan Mir @ Blend Studios, Milwaukee
Colorist: Mike Matusek @ Nolo Digital Film in Chicago
Music: Bryan Mir @ Blend Studios, Milwaukee
Sound Design/Audio Mix: Steve Kultgen @ Independent Studios in Milwaukee
via: Tim Nudd | Adweek

Electrofunk duo Chromeo

From his breakout hit Boy to starring in next year’s blockbuster Green Lantern (above), New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi is a shining light in Hollywood. The 35-year-old Maori writer, director, producer and artist first burst onto the scene in 2016 with his Oscar-nominated short film Two Cars, One Night and followed that success in 2015 with his debut feature Eagle Vs Shark. It starred his close friend Jermaine Clement of Flight Of The Conchords fame and Waititi also came on board to write and direct several episodes of the hit show. But it is his latest film Boy that is truly putting him on the world stage.

Whilst in competition at the prestigious Sundance film festival earlier this year, executives from Warner Brothers Studio saw Waititi performing in Boy and quickly approached him about a role in Green Lantern. Despite coming from an acting background in live theatre and perfoming in a comedy troupe with Jermaine, Waititi said it was strange to give up the creative reigns and return to performing.

“They saw Boy and were looking for someone to play this character, so I read for it and then suddenly I was an actor again,” he said.
“It was weird because it wasn’t part of the plan for me. I just wanted to do my thing and keep making films and be a director.
“It was very, very weird and I found it kind of strange to go from someone whose been in control for ages to sitting around on set waiting for your scene.
“Your part of it, but your also not part of it.
“It was fucking weird to be honest, but I loved it and watching how everything is done.”Green Lantern is the $150m mega blockbuster based on the DC Comics series of the same name and stars Ryan Reynolds in the title role (above). Waititi said he plays the role of Green Lantern’s faithful sidekick Thomas Kalmaku in the film.
“I can’t even pronounce his name properly because he’s supposed to be of Native American heritage,” he said.
“He doesn’t have any powers or do any of the action scenes.
“It’s basically that….the guy is like a tech geek. That old chestnut.
“It’s not a giant role or anything and you never know if you’re still going to be in it at the end of the movie.
“While I was shooting I was thinking, as a filmmaker, you don’t really need this scene. But I wasn’t going to tell them that.”

Tipped as being the biggest blockbuster of 2011, there has been a lot of hype surrounding the special effects used on Green Lantern. Reynolds suit, for instance, is being created using CGI technology and will constantly evolve throughout the film. Although Waititi said he didn’t get to see what the suit looked like during filming, what he did see of the production was `amazing’.

“I haven’t seen any of the suit stuff because they hadn’t even decided what the suit was going to look like when we were shooting,” he said.
“They’ve had almost a year since filming to develop that now, but the art I saw was amazing. “It’s going to look incredible.
“That was very exciting for me because although I saw some of the green screen stuff, there’s no way to imagine what it’s going to look like.
“I just gave up and said my lines.
“I imagined it would look awesome down the track but at that moment it was just a bunch of weird people in normal clothes standing around with cameras.
“I wasn’t even in those scenes, I just went to watch their spotted-suit acting.”
Being involved in one of the most highly anticipated comic-book movies was a dream come true for Waititi (above), who said he used to `collect comics’ when he was younger.
“I was not really into the Green Lantern mythology, but I was more of a Batman guy,” he said.
“Batman was just a guy with determination who was badass and good at beating people up and fighting.
“He had the dark past and that appealed to me.
“I was a little bit into X-Men, but it got quite complicated with all the characters.”

But don’t get too excited, because Waititi said he is not likely return to the superhero genre anytime soon.

“It’s not really my style,” he said.
“I’m better suited to these character pieces and its sort of my background.
“There’s less stress and less stuff that’s over my head.”

Here is where. I chatted with the friendly P-Thugg (above right) from electrofunk duo Chromeo yesterday about music, movies, his BFF Dave 1 and asked the question a legion of Yo Gabba Gabba fans have been wanting to know — does he wash his hands?

“Yeah, always,” he said.
So, now that’s settled, here are his favourite movies:
“Scarface, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Ghost Busters, Beverley Hills Cop and Naked Gun.”

For those who haven’t been exposed to their brilliance before, I suggest you check out Chromeo’s video for their ridiculously catchy new song Don’t Turn The Lights On, off their forthcoming album Business Casual.

Twofifteenmccann unleashes “An Endangered Species," new live action trailer for Xbox’s Forza Motorsport 4 Electrifying skills of award-winning stunt driver Martin Ivanov and the voice of Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson deliver an adrenaline-pumping film This week, twofifteenmccann debuted "An Endangered Species," a short live-action film to introduce Forza Motorsport 4 for Xbox 360.
Developed by Turn 10 and published by Microsoft Studios exclusively for Xbox 360, Forza Motorsports 4 launches worldwide on October 11. “An Endangered Species” is a rallying cry for car lovers worldwide and a visceral illustration of something many have come to realize — the real world has become an unfriendly place for those who truly love automobiles. Economic concerns, environmental regulations, clogged motorways and a myriad of other restrictions all appear to threaten the very existence of the car enthusiast.
Though the opportunities to have heart-racing experiences in the real world are becoming fewer and fewer, Forza Motorsport 4 offers a place to explore car passion freely without fear of speed traps or other impediments. twofifteenmccann brought together an elite team of automotive talent to create “An Endangered Species.”
Widely acknowledged as one of the best stunt drivers in the world, Martin Ivanov stars as lead actor and stunt driver. Ivanov’s work in such feature films as Quantum of Solace, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum contain some of the most exciting driving sequences ever put to film. Jeremy Clarkson, host of the hit BBC TV series Top Gear, provides the voiceover.

Twofifteenmccann partnered with production company MJZ and acclaimed director Nicolai Fuglsig on the project which was shot on location in Uruguay. The "An Endangered Species" trailer debuted on Monday October 3 on TopGear.com and will be seen on Xbox.com and other digital properties as well.
Other campaign elements including TV, online videos, and print will support the launch of the game as well. twofifteenmccann is a creative and strategic agency specializing in media agnostic ideas for brands.
Based in San Francisco and part of Interpublic, twofifteenmccann’s work is rooted in a philosophy of purposeful creativity. Clients include: The Coca-Cola Company, HP and Microsoft Xbox, among others. twofifteenmccann’s partnership with McCann Erickson enables the company to deliver creativity at scale
Credits:
Spot Client: Xbox
Product: Forza Motorsport 4 Spot
Title: Endangered Species
Agency: twofifteenmccann
Chief Creative Officer: Scott Duchon
Associate Creative
Director/Writer: Joe Rose
Art Director: Rey Andrade
Director of Integrated Production: Tom Wright
Senior Agency Producer: Kate Morrison
Business Director: Peter Goldstein
Management Supervisor: Luke Lamson
Account Executive: Stephanie Scott
Business Affairs Director: MaryBeth Barney
Production Company: MJZ
Director: Nicolai Fuglsig
DP: Ben Serensin
Executive Producer: Emma Wilcockson
Producer: Suza Horvat
Editorial Company: Final Cut
Editor: Rick Russell
Executive Producer: Saima Awan
Producer: Suzy Ramirez
Editorial Assistant: Jacob Keuhl
Visual Effects: The Mill
3D Lead Artist: Chris Bayol
2D artists: Tara DeMarco, Andy Bate, Elad Offer
Executive Producer: Sue Troyan
Producer: Sabrina Elizondo
End Titles and Animation: Imaginary Forces
Telecine: The Mill Colorist: Adam Scott
Original Music: Human
Producer: Jonathan Sanford
Sound Designers: Rohan Young @ Lime Studios Rick Russell @ Final Cut
Mix: Lime Studios
Mixer: Rohan Young
Audio Producer: Jessica Locke
via:scaryideas.com