Nov 16

Nokia N900: “Focus Group”

Posted in: bif, focus group, General, iphone, Nokia, vfx, Viral

Channeling the same rebel spirit as the recent Verizon adverts for the Motorola Droid, this viral for the Nokia N900 injects the nucleus of a narrative into what could be a fun campaign.

The turn to grittier aesthetics makes sense. Attempts to unseat the incumbent iPhone using the same glossy look as Apple only confuses customers; the trick is to differentiate the brands somehow. Trouble is, Nokia and Motorola have struck the same chord at more or less the same time.

The recently posted Droid “Stealth” spot directed by Rupert Sanders aims at creating the same sense of epic mystery as the Nokia N900 campaign, albeit with a much slicker production value. It’s the J.J. Abrams school of advertising, with phones instead of “mystery boxes.”

Who will win? At this point, it’s hard to say: but it seems that they’ll still be fighting for second place.

“Focus group” was directed by Jack Masters and conceived by agency Jack Morton. The Mill’s Bif (Fabrice Le Nezet, Jules Janaud and Francois Roisin) helmed the post-production efforts.

Thanks to Harm for the tip.

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Sep 04

Bif for The Mill: “Dix”

Posted in: awards, bif, directing collective, dix, General, short film, the mill

Dix

The Mill’s renowned directing trio, Bif, has conceived a dark and eerie short-film in Dix. Dix, which is French for “ten,” highlights Mark, a tortured man who suffers from an obsessive-compulsive disorder that forbids him from physically stepping on lines beneath his feet. In many ways, the main characters unnerving anxiety is reminiscent of the childhood mantra that, “If you step on a crack, you break your Mother’s back.” Modernized by Bif, the directorial threesome makes certain to inject their own personal flavor, and does so in a way that is both startling and sobering. Indeed, Marks thoughts become so chilling that, when venturing into his psyche, viewers can fully experience the hellish agony of its main character, and witness a ghastly account of his volatile journey to recovery.

With accolades galore, and enough industry awards to shake a stick at, the appeal of Dix comes from it’s harmonious marriage of storytelling and CG. Incubating within the creative hothouse of The Mill, Bif exemplifies a knack for storytelling that is only matched by their technical savvy, and accentuates The Mill’s loyalty to producing non-commercial, and experimental ventures.

Update: Despite coming across this undeniable gem a bit late, we have, after thoughtful consideration, decided to post it, and even upgraded this former Quickie to a Main course. Better late than never! Bon appétit!


Credits
Production: Autour de Minuit
Actors: Ian Faure (Marc), Lucien Momy (Marc as a child) and Alain Choquet (Monsieur X).
Directing Collective: Bif (Jules Janaud, Fabrice Le Nezet and Francois Roisin).
Producer:Nicholas Schmerkin, Autour de Minuit,
Director of photography: Reynald Capurro.
Post production:The Mill, London,
Post producer: Stephen Vennin.
Sound design: John Baptist St Pol at Dune Sound
Sound mix: Guillaume Leriche.
Music: Raphael Martinez-Bachel (Azel).

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