Archive of the Reel-Exchange Category

SAN ANTONIO – April 29, 2010 – NewTek, manufacturer of industry-leading video and 3D animation products, announced that the life-size mechanical organs showcased in the feature film, “Repo Men,” were developed with NewTek LightWave 3D. At the forefront of artificial organ development for “Repo Men,” is Hollywood-based, Creative Character Engineering (CCE), which used the advanced 3D modeling capabilities of LightWave 3D, to bring the artificial organs from concept to reality. more

Rhino is continuing its evolution from high-end design, animation and visual effects company to one-stop, full-service content creation and digital studio with the hiring of CD/Directors Anna Meister and Chris Fung. Additionally, Director Ron Kleiner, a Gravity veteran from the Rhino-Gravity Tel Aviv office, will be represented stateside. The announcement comes at an exciting time for Rhino, when it’s busier than ever with feature film work and its production arm is steadily mobilizing at its outposts around the world. more

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are heating up as the remaining NHL teams face off for the right to hoist the most famous trophy in all of sports in June. As intense as the current action is, the journey takes on even greater significance when the storied history of the NHL and the epic battles for the Cup are considered. Smoke & Mirrors, working via Y&R, played a key role in a stirring seven-spot campaign spotlighting some of the League’s all-time great players in their legendary moments of glory. more

Directing collective Kompost, working via DUCK Studios, created a visually explosive spot for Green Earth Technologies’ G-OIL™, the “official motor oil of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and the International Motor Spots Association (IMSA).” Working via Alliance, a division of Grey Group, director Oliver Conrad and EP Gian Klainguti led a VFX team that manufactured a remarkable fast-paced world simulating the impact and durability of the world’s first and only American Petroleum Institute approved biodegradable high-performance motor oil made from renewable bio-based sources. more

Mammoth HD Footage Library adds Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokul Volcano Eruption to the MHD/RED Footage Libraries. Shot in 4K – the footage is available as HD1080, HD720, 2K and 4K resolutions. more

New Animated Short Film Highlights Studio’s Ability to Create Unforgettable 3D Characters.

Kickstand, an innovator of advanced character animation and custom pipeline technology, today reveals “Kickstand Creatures: Volume One,� a new animated short film highlighting the company’s expertise in 3D modeling, character development, and animation technology. Watch “Kickstand Creatures: Volume One� at http://kickstand.tv/animation/. more

New York-based Manic Design + Visual Effects has signed renowned veteran VFX Artist David A. Elkins. Elkins, a 20-year industry leader, has a reputation for transforming the impossible into reality on screen. He has collaborated on high-profile, award-winning work for top brands and agencies, and as one of the most sought after independent visual effects artists in recent times, Elkins has left his impression at many top visual effects houses throughout NYC. His decision to arrive at Manic clearly reflects and strengthens the fast growth the Manic brand has experienced in the past year. His portfolio includes spots for Diet Coke, McDonald’s, OppenheimerFunds, Miller Genuine Draft, American Express, Puma, M•A•C Cosmetics and Roche to name a few. A versatile talent, Elkins also has a hand in main title sequences for feature films, most recently 2008′s Definitely, Maybe. more

The unique talent collective FEEDTHEWALRUS is headed to the left coast, further accelerating its rapid growth by transforming into a bicoastal unit. An uber-talented roster of editors Joel Marcus, Mark Imgrund and Michael Moore will operate under the leadership of veteran EP Christie Price. Junior editors Stacey Schroeder and Cudjo Collins will round out an LA-based group that will eventually include a colorist, two producers, Flame/VFX artists and a string of assistants, solidifying FEEDTHEWALRUS Founders Adam Jenkins and Jeff Stevens’ goal of amassing readily available top talent in a single location for work on projects of any kind. more

Rabbit Directing collective TWiN, in collaboration with BBDO Toronto, helmed an upbeat 45-second television spot promoting Quaker Crispy Minis whole grain rice snacks. The spot is a montage of women who take a bite of the tasty snack only to find a pleasant stream of colorful objects emerging from their mouths or ears with VFX that emphasizes the product’s extraordinary and unique flavors. A woman enjoying the crunchy vittles on a backyard lawn chair is delighted to see a flock of butterflies flutter out of her mouth and into the yard; a library patron finds bubbles popping from her ears after a sneeze; a businesswoman giving a presentation greets her colleagues with a gush of confetti from her throat; a runner finds a similar reaction as she ascends a long set of stairs. The spot is a nifty blend of live action, VFX, upbeat folk music, and humor more

Rhino CD Natasha Saenko, in conjunction with Periscope and Untitled’s Tim and Jeff Cronenweth, just completed work on the new campaign for Cox Business that promotes the company’s custom communications solutions. The two spots are just the latest in a long string of transformation and transition spots that Rhino has handled for Mazda, Subway, Audi, Mercedes, and Panasonic Tough Book, among others. more