My Post House: Click 3X

Peter Corbett is president/partner/ director of Click 3X, and Jason Mayo is a managing partner. Click 3X and its interactive division, ClickFire Media, create engaging film, TV, and web content. Positioned at the intersection of entertainment, advertising, and technology, the studios work in tandem or autonomously. Click 3X shoots, edits, designs, animates, and creates VFX, while ClickFire brings those disciplines into the interactive space. Click operates a full-service, 11,000-square-foot studio in Manhattan outfitted with 50 full-time staffers. In 2010, the audio postproduction division, Sounds Like Click, was launched to provide sound design, mixing, and original music services.

Peter Corbett, president/partner/director

What specific projects do you currently have in the works?

Peter Corbett and Jason Mayo: We have an exciting Lego project that integrates stop motion, digital shooting, design, CGI, and VisFX. We're also currently finishing the latest round of the E-Trade "Talking Babies." We're working on a long form project for a major network show with comedian Dave Attell, as well as a slew of new MTV promo interruption work for movies like Jackass 3D and Let Me In. Those are always fun because we get to do a lot of shooting here in our studio and have a bit of fun.

On the web side, we're building a Holiday promotion that uses miniatures, CGI using Away3D and some very advanced Flash technology with Facebook integration. This will launch in November. We're also working on a secret 3DTV project for a major client.

What else have you worked on recently?

Corbett and Mayo: Evology.com for the agency Taxi was an interesting mix of live action video tracked into an interactive 3D space. We finished up two Geico commercials with the Martin agency, Directed by Frank Todaro of Moxie Pictures and cut by Mackenzie Cutler. Those guys were awesome to work with, and the campaign is hilarious. On the entertainment side, we finished a ton of projects with networks like MTV, National Geographic, HBO, Nick, and SyFy Channel. Also a pilot for the Onion called OSN (Onion Sports Network) got picked up by Comedy Central, so we're excited about that.

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What do you consider to be the next big thing in post?

Corbett and Mayo: For us, it has been the addition of Sounds Like Click (SLC) our full-service audio business. Additionally, we see the integration of our interactive business utilizing all the tools we have at Click 3X—VFX, CGI, motion graphics, etc.—as very exciting and will continue to be the growth engine. Of course, 3DTV is already upon us and we have geared up to execute the work.

What technology do you currently work with?

• Flame
• Flare
• Smoke
• After Effects
• Cinema 4D
• Maya
• FCP
• Flash
• Flex
• PHP

What new technology are you working with?

• 3DTV
• Audio Pro Tools and Icon

What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work in postproduction?

Mayo: Wow. That's a tough question. I could say a whole bunch of stuff that would be untrue, but for the most part it's because my wife and kids have to eat. Aside from that, I love post because the technology and the creative trends are forever changing and it's amazing to see my artists find new ways to raise the bar on the stuff. I think the reason we've been around for so long is because we're always willing to evolve and arm our artists with cutting edge technology. If you're not a leader in this business, then everything will pass us by.

What is your best post memory?

Mayo: Mine has nothing to do with post but I was working at a major facility that is now defunct and Bill Murray was doing voiceover for several weeks there. One night when I was working late, I got a chance to ride the elevator with him a walk a bit. We had an in-depth conversation about Caddyshack and a bunch of other stuff. That was a big thrill for me. I also still have fond memories of the 2in. tape machines and the DCT tape format. NOT.

What are your favorite/least favorite things about working in post?

Mayo: It's kind of weird because one of my favorite things about post is the fast pace and crazy deadlines. I get a rush out of juggling a whole bunch of projects at the same time. When things are going well, it's like watching a master juggler juggle knives. On the other hand, when things get too crazy, it can be a pretty stressful business to be in. Luckily there is a balance.

What were you doing 10 years ago and what do you expect to be doing 10 years from now?

Mayo: Ten years ago, we were navigating our way through some of the most treacherous waters our industry has ever seen on the heels of Sept. 11. That was a tough time for everyone. Ten years later, it seems as if we're in a similar situation with the economy, but we've been really smart and proactive about staying in front of the wreckage, making some good decisions, and diversifying our business, so we've been doing really well as a result. In 10 years from now? I don't really think about that stuff too much. I take it one day at a time. But if I had a gun to my head, I'd say I'd like to be retired on a beach somewhere.