Hasta La Motion!

[NEWS=”http://www.cgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sm_hyatt_thumb.jpg”]18438[/NEWS]Kirk Balden of design, animation and VFX studio Smoke & Mirrors New York leads his adept team in creating the captivating VFX on a recent :60 for HYATT, via BBDO, NY. In There’s a Place, we venture through global avenues of the entire HYATT experience, not only capturing the relaxing essence of a stay at the premier hotel, but the magical luxury as well. With a balcony view of NYC’s shining lights, beaches off the coast of an exotic island, and a secluded location in Asia…the effort truly encapsulates the HYATT hotel experience. Smoke and Mirrors artist Kirk Balden designed and executed the end title sequence and finished the look of this beautiful spot.

About SMNY:
New York and London-based design, animation and VFX studio, Smoke & Mirrors was founded by Creative Director/VFX Artist Sean Broughton (NY), Penny Verbe (UK) and Mark Wildig (UK). A creative and artist-driven company synonymous with vision and originality since its inception, Smoke & Mirrors has consistently succeeded because of its collaborative approach and ability to build lasting creative relationships with directors, producers, agencies and clients alike.

Production in the New York office is lead by Managing Director Jo Morgan and Executive Producer Celest Gilbert. Diverse projects range from work on the Harry Potter and Bond film series, to commercials campaigns for Mercedes, Burger King, Miller Lite and Sirius.

The Creds:
Client: HYATT Hotels Corp.
Spot Title: There’s a Place
Air Date: January 2009

Agency: BBDO/NY
CCO: Bill Bruce, David Lubars
EVP, Executive Creative Director: Don Schneider
Sr. VP Creative Director: Chris Cole, Mark Wegwerth
Sr. VP, EP: Helene Balzarini
Copywriter: Joe Lovering
Asst. Producer: Regina Iannuzzi

Prod Company: Knucklehead, London
Director: Joe Roman
Producer: Tim Katz
DP: Joost Van Gelden
EP: Helene Balzarini

Post/Effects: Smoke & Mirrors/NY
CD: Sean Broughton
Lead Flame Artist: Kirk Balden
Assist Flame Artist: Stephanie Isaacson
Managing Dir: Jo Morgan
EP: Celest Gilbert
Producer: Lauren Shawe

Editorial: Nomad Editing Company
Editor: Jason Painter
Asst. Editor: Tyler Peck
EP: Lynne Mannino

Telecine: The Mill
Lead Telecine Artist: Fergus McCall
Asst. Telecine Artist: Sal Malfitano
Producer: Claudia Guevara

Mix: Sound Lounge
Mixer: Tom Jucarone

Music: Emoto
Composer: Steve Hampton

[NEWS=”http://www.cgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/komm_hersheys_thumb.jpg”]18436[/NEWS]Nathan McGuinness of Kommitted exposes our inner chocolate obsession with a delicious :30 for Hershey’s via Arnold NYC. With VFX expertise by way of Asylum, McGuiness is able to showcase the merriment that goes into producing each and every mouthwatering Hershey’s Kiss. Opening with a churning vat of delectable milk chocolate, the Kiss is born. After being shaped, it’s then hurled into its iconic silver wrapping. Down and around a giant slide it goes, landing smoothly in a barber’s chair where it checks itself out.

Showered by cheers and well wishing paparazzi of other Kisses, a machine flings the superstar into one of three predetermined destinations. The job of the kiss is fulfilled; when it’s chosen by a young boy and handed off to his mother, whose elated face says it all.

About Kommitted:
Production company KOMMITTED Films was founded in 2005 by Director Nathan McGuinness, the Academy Award and Bafta nominated Co-Founder/Creative Director of the VFX company, Asylum. Shortly after, in 2006, veteran Executive Producer Marc Siegel was brought on to expand the directorial roster, feature film slate, and music video presence. Over a short time period, KOMMITTED Films has numerous recent high-profile spots for Target (peterson milla hooks/MN), Nintendo (Leo Burnett/Chicago) and Blackberry (RIM) (Arc Worldwide/Chicago).

The Creds:
Client: The Hershey Company
Spot Title: “Off To Work We Go”
Air Date: January 20, 2009

Agency: Arnold NYC
EVP Chief Creative Officer: John Staffen
Group Creative Director/Art Director: Kate Wadia
Copy Writer: Meghan Williams
Designer: Nate Guillard
Senior Producer: Jennifer Picarelli
Associate Producer: Marianne Toniolo

Prod Company: Kommitted
Director: Nathan McGuinness
DP: Dan Mindle
EP: Marc Siegel
Line Producer: Jodi Fisher

Animation/Visual Effects: Asylum
Animation Director: Piotr Karwas
CG Supervisor: Jason Schugardt
VFX Supervisor: Paul O’Shea
EP: Michael Pardee
Bidding Producer: Mike Hanley
Animator(s): Craig Van Dyke, Michael Warner
Conceptual Designer: Jeff Julian
Lead Lighter: Matthew Maude
Lighter(s): Brer St. Clair, Dan Abrams
CG Producer: Jeff Werner
VFX Producer: Diana Cheng

hi there .
I have an animation worked in {animestudio app}. there is some problems for exporting interlace .
I search their forum and find a solution…
in this link you can find :

hummm. I export my animation in 50fps as .bmp images to convert them to 25…. how can I do this in fusion to find a good quality ?

t h a n x all.

Hiya

Anyone doing or completed the Msc or MA Digital Effects cource there? im planning to join BU this fall, was wondering if anyone could give some insight on how good the courses are and would like to discuss the cirrulum and things taught.

BU seems to be a big name for animation in the UK but how good is the teaching really?, apart from all the hype, I have seen a lot of BU students scoring a job in big studios – does the name help secure a job at the end of the cource or its just the demo reel and lady luck dancing?

Cheers.