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Th1ng’s Sweeney Todd title sequence has been nominated for Best Film and TV Graphics by the British Animation Awards. The awards recognise the most memorable examples of animation in the UK and will be held on March 13th 2008.

The Sweeney Todd title sequence is a narrative led combination of live action and animation and was directed by Th1ng’s title director, Richard Morrison and design director, Shay Hamias.

Morrison, who has previously worked with Tim Burton on the memorable opening titles to Batman, said he was delighted at the news and hopeful that the sequence will help the Oscar nominated movie to be a major success in 2008.

“The making of the sequence involved an army of CG and compositing experts and took over three months. We are delighted that this has been recognised by a leading industry panel and look forward to the awards gala”.

Living up to the Burton legacy, the title sequence opens as a suspenseful and eerie narrative with blood oozing pictures. It foreshadows the film’s action and establishes the mood and visual character of the plot. The sequence, a mini movie of its own, has initially functioned as a promotional trailer to the movie.

Dominic Buttimore, Th1ng’s executive producer said: “The success of this title sequence has once again brought Richard Morrison’s name to the top of the title directors’ league table”.

About Th1ng
Th1ng is a leading animation and mixed media production company, creating commercials, idents and title sequences for film and TV. Th1ng is pronounced “thing one “. www.th1ng.com

Richard Morrison’s previous feature film titles have included Event Horizon, High Fidelity, The Constant Gardener, Seven Years in Tibet , Dirty Pretty Things, Brazil , Gandhi, Hellraiser, The Killing Fields, A Passage to India , Memphis Belle and Quadrophenia.

Dominic Buttimore has been producing animation and live action for 22 years. He moved into producing at 20 and has run a number of production companies since. After 5 years as head of the 3D CGI dept. at the Moving Picture Company he founded his own company ” Th1ng “. He has won many coveted advertising awards for his work, including D& AD, BTAA and Creative Circle . He currently works with 15 directors at Th1ng creating commercials, graphics and film titles.

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Ford Thrillride by Hatch StudiosFord “Rollercoaster” is the latest spot created at Hatch Studios Ltd., directed by Richard Rosenman and Larissa Ulisko. Inspired by Japanese illustration, this spot relies heavily on seamless integration of cutting edge 3D computer graphics combined with bold 2D character designs, both existing in a lavish and rich multi-media environment.

Not only did we wish to create a visually compelling spot, but we also insisted in developing a sub-story involving aggressive & chaotic characters attempting to catch the Ford Focus. This provided a set-up for a wild car chase in which the Focus inevitably out-manoeuvres the characters in a climatic and explosive finale. Props to our agency and client friends who made this such a fun project to work on.

To create the unique visual style of the spot, including the tight integration of 3D and 2D elements living together in one world, all elements had to first be created in 3D. The rendering of the graphic elements was then produced with VRay Toon which allowed fully-raytraced 2D objects to be reflected and interactively-lit with the surrounding 3D objects.

In addition, global illumination rendering yielded a distinctive look in which 2D objects retained their flat two-dimensional look, yet fully-interacted with the environmental lighting thus contributing to the global illumination solution.

Rarely any blurs were used in this spot as this conflicted with the graphic style so depth of field was simulated through the use of depth desaturation.

This spot was modeled using Silo & 3dsmax 9.0. It was animated and textured with 3dsmax 9.0. Rendering with VRay 1.5 RC3, including VRay Toon. Compositing with After Effects and onlined with Inferno.

About Hatch Studios
Hatch combines honest, creative and business minded individuals who know what it takes to make your concept come to life. Randi Yaffa’s business acumen and production savvy are rhinestone studded, while Richard Rosenman and Larissa Ulisko’s combination of neurotic perfectionisim and good humor drive the creative engine. Hang on our couch, have a latte, talk your concept and we’ll make it go.

Project credits:
Directed by Richard Rosenman & Larissa Ulisko
Exec. Produced by Randi Yaffa
Produced by Holly Nichols
Character designs by Chris Cann
Modeling by Chris Crozier, Rowan Simpson, Abdul Ali Mohamud, Raden Slipicevic
Animation by Scott Guppy & Kevin Vriesinga
Texturing by Marcin Porebski, Steven Hollman
Lighting & rendering by Richard Rosenman
Compositing & design by Larissa Ulisko
Online at Technicolor w/ Alex Boothby
Pyrotechnics by Bondi

Created at Hatch Studios Ltd.

www.richardrosenman.com
www.hatchstudios.net

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John Budion of Click 3X Creates Warm Wishes for CokeJohn Budion of Click 3X directs this spec spot for Coca-Cola where empty cans and bottles of the delicious beverage that were previously strewn about the city join together in a parade of pride.

The soda vessels traverse the landscape of the city as they travel through the subways and streets to collect in a tree above a sleeping transient. The aluminum and glass containers lovingly spell out the greeting “Happy Holidays” for the entire world to see.

From Director John Budion:
With the support of the Click management team, I scripted and directed this little uplifting story using the HVX camera and other equipment that Click has in studio. I shot it with a friend of mine, John DeFeo who served as my DP and the bum at the end. We shot sort of guerilla style all over NYC. I strapped about 30 feet of fishing line to myself and pulled cans and bottles of Coke all over the city while filming both the cans and people’s reactions.

I went to various locations: the subway, parks, and Grand Central Station. I then took about 4 days to edit the footage in Final Cut, and then loaded the cut to the Flame for finishing. In all, completion of the whole project took about 12 days to shoot, edit, and finish. Additionally, there is no CG in the spot. Everything was shot in-camera, including the elements that I composited after.

About Click 3X
New York-based Click 3X produces cutting-edge visual solutions for commercials, feature films, television, music videos and broadcast clients around the globe. Founded in 1993, Click 3X has become the preeminent digital studio led by artists, yet supported by one of the most technologically advanced studios in the industry. With award-winning design, powerful visual effects, and a visionary animation team, Click 3X has worked on such diverse projects as Jonathan Demme’s unconventional feature documentary on Jimmy Carter entitled, Man From Plains; Animal Collective’s Peacebone video directed by Tim Saccenti; and Time Warner’s video instillation, Home Of The Future which was showcased on the Time Warner building in NYC.

Additionally, Click 3X recently launched an interactive design studio titled ClickFire Media. CFM is an interactive design studio specializing in multi-platform, media-rich creative campaigns. CFM partners with agencies and entertainment industry clients in the conceptualization, design and development of fully-integrated, consistently branded experiences. Through insight and innovation, CFM combines that latest interactive technologies with the best design, video, animation and live action skills from Click 3X to deliver integrated solutions in the ever-developing media landscape.

The Creds:
Client: Coke (spec)
Spot Title: The Great Escape

Director/Editor/Compositor: John Budion
DP: John DeFeo

Audio Post: Sound Lounge
Mixer: Justin Matley

Shoot Location: NYC

View commercial here

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th1ng creates tension for opening of Vantage PointAfter the massive success of th1ng’s opening sequence for Sweeney Todd in January, this Friday will provide an opportunity to see the award winning animation and mixed media production studio’s latest creative treatment with the UK premiere of new thriller, Vantage Point.

The film, which stars Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox and Forest Whitaker tells the story of an attempted assassination of the President of the USA , but told from the viewpoint of eight different witnesses.

The 50-second opener, which was created by th1ng’s title director, Richard Morrison and ‘position’, Alon Ziv, delivers a series of shots starting with wide aerial views of a Spanish city, gradually focusing on the presidential cavalcade moving through the streets, before finally reaching a close up of the President and his entourage.

Each amber-drenched view is cut into a stark black background, clearly depicting the different ‘vantage points’ of the witnesses. Further tension is added to the sequence by a swift transition of V-shaped stills, from one to another in the build up of the terrifying truth behind the assassination attempt.

Perspective and a set of different viewpoints create an atmosphere of something waiting to happen. This becomes key to the sequence’s building momentum. As the sequence further unveils viewers get an insight into a chaos that ensues followed by a collision of disparate lives in the hunt for the assassin.

The opening sequence was entirely directed, edited and composited in house at th1ng including all post production.

Richard Morrison, th1ng’s titles director, said: “ Vantage Point is a clever action movie and so its sequence had to be based around the idea of perspectives. We tried to create a web of intrigue to give viewers an accurate insight into what they can expect in the movie”.

Alon Ziv, th1ng’s motion graphics director, said: “ We have been recently witnessing a revival of title sequences in the film industry and this sequence echoes the mood and style of some of the more classic sequences we are familiar with”.

Vantage Point is th1ng’s first collaboration with the film director, Pete Travis. The film is a Sony Pictures production and th1ng’s executive producer was Dominic Buttimore.

About th1ng
th1ng is a leading animation and mixed media production company, creating commercials, idents and title sequences for film and TV. Th1ng is pronounced “thing one “. www.th1ng.com

Richard Morrison’s previous feature film titles have included Event Horizon, High Fidelity, The Constant Gardener, Seven Years in Tibet, Dirty Pretty Things, Brazil, Gandhi, Hellraiser, The Killing Fields, A Passage to India, Memphis Belle and Quadrophenia, Creep, The Golden Compass, Sweeney Todd.

Alon Ziv has worked with th1ng for more than three years, on a range of animation and film projects. Dominic Buttimore has been producing animation and live action for 22 years. He moved into producing at 20 and has run a number of production companies since. After 5 years as head of the 3D CGI dept. at the Moving Picture Company he founded his own company ” th1ng “. He has won many coveted advertising awards for his work, including D& AD, BTAA and Creative Circle . He currently works with 15 directors at th1ng creating commercials, graphics and film titles.

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Imaginary Forces creates Magic for The Spiderwick ChroniclesThe Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies feature film, “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” has now opened nationwide. Based on the beloved best-selling series of fantasy adventure books, the film opens with a riveting prologue created and produced by entertainment and design company Imaginary Forces (IF).

Filmmakers also tapped IF to produce two key flashback sequences in the film, the whimsical end titles, as well as the teaser trailer. The prologue, flashback sequences and end titles were designed and directed by IF Creative Director Ahmet Ahmet. They were produced by IF’s Kathy Kelehan.

“I can’t imagine ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ without the incredible contribution Imaginary Forces made to three crucial sequences,” says Director Mark Waters. “Ahmet [Ahmet] and Kathy [Kelehan] and their team added texture and nuance and mystery in a way that really sucks the audience into the world of Spiderwick.”

“Imaginary Forces definitely lived up to its name,” adds Producer Kathleen Kennedy. “Between crafting a lush and lyrical title sequence and shaping the look and style of segments within the film itself, their creative contributions to ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ really helped to elevate the story’s magical realism. I look forward to collaborating with them again on future projects.”

The suspenseful opening sequence takes viewers back 80 years to the secret study of Arthur Spiderwick. For the two-day prologue shoot at Paramount, Ahmet collaborated with renowned Director of Photography Caleb Deschanel.

“Ahmet and the team from Imaginary Forces brought great ideas and a wonderful visual and rhythmic sense to all the sequences they created for Spiderwick,” comments Deschanel. “They worked with Mark Waters to develop the storylines, then found powerful visuals to get those ideas across. They were a delight to work with, and the results of their work made everyone involved in Spiderwick excited and proud. Ahmet’s end titles make you want to stay to very last note of the movie – clever and fun. I look forward to getting a chance to work with them again.”

“Working with this team of talented filmmakers enhanced the entire process,” concludes Ahmet. “There was a level of dialogue that allowed us to hone our ideas, and focus on the storytelling and creative content within the sequences to produce something quite unique. The sequences, while imbued with magic and mystery, are set in a tangible scientific world. Spiderwick’s meticulous documentation of scientific discoveries in his field guide, coupled with the macro photography of collected specimens, lab jars and collaged book pages, helped to propel the narrative and convey his obsessive character.”

About Imaginary Forces
IMAGINARY FORCES (IF) is a production company based in Hollywood and New York. Its award-winning work spans the diverse industries of feature film production, entertainment marketing and promotion, corporate branding, architecture, advertising and interactive media. IF’s recent work includes identity packages for USA Network, Lifetime, Animal Planet and MTV, as well as effective and compelling broadcast advertising for Nike, Sears, Toyota, Pontiac, Smirnoff and Lexus. In entertainment and media marketing, IF created campaigns for such films as Transformers, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Stepford Wives, and both Men in Black films. The company also designed and produced main title sequences for Number 23, Charlotte’s Web, Ray, Mad Men, Chuck, Band of Brothers, Spider-Man, and Seven, and produced the highly successful Blade trilogy. Most recently, the company designed the media installations for the new HBO retail store in Manhattan, outdoor multimedia experiences for Wynn Las Vegas and Wynn Macau, and created projections for the “Bubbles in the Wine” exhibit at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. For more information on IF’s services, contact Danixa Diaz, Director of Business Development.

CREDITS
Studio: Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Movies
Production Company: The Kennedy/Marshall Company & Mark Canton
Director: Mark Waters
Post Production Supervisor (Paramount): Ben Rosenblatt
Editor: Michael Kahn
Director of Photography: Caleb Deschanel
Executive Producers: Julia Pistor, Tony DiTerlizzi, Holly Black
Producers: Mark Canton, Larry Franco, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Karey Kirkpatrick

Project: The Spiderwick Chronicles – Prologue, Footlocker and Lucinda Flashbacks
Designed & Produced by: Imaginary Forces (IF)
Creative Director: Peter Frankfurt
Director/Art Director: Ahmet Ahmet
Editor: Jeff Consiglio
Producer: Kathy Kelehan
Designers: Ahmet Ahmet, Karin Fong
2D/3D Animators: Gary Hebert, Charles Khoury, Juan Monasterio, Ben Lopez
Storyboard Artist: Wayne Coe
Lead Inferno Artist: Rod Basham
Inferno Artist: Matt Spencer
Coordinator: Heather Dennis
Head of Production: Ben Apley

Project: The Spiderwick Chronicles – Main On End Title Sequence
Designed & Produced by: Imaginary Forces (IF)
Creative Director: Peter Frankfurt
Art Director: Ahmet Ahmet
Producer: Kathy Kelehan
Designers: Ahmet Ahmet, Jason Walker, Brett Krauss
2D/3D Animators: Sal Rangel, Nate Homan, Juan Monasterio, Miguel Lee, Orlando Costa, Stan Lim, Greg Reynard, Tom Allain, Chris Villa, Don Phillips
Editors: Justine Gerenstein, Jeff Consiglio
Inferno Artist: Andy Dill
Coordinator: Heather Dennis
Head of Production: Ben Apley

www.imaginaryforces.com

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