Boards Magazine - February 1, 2001

It's About the Talent

Board Flow is a regular feature that will act as a gauge to monitor the activity of upcoming commercial production. The following chart is intended as a snapshot view of the level of "board flow" (i.e., potential scripts from ad agencies) that commercial production houses in various markets across North America experienced during the preceding month. The synopsis of each market is based on conversations with anywhere from six to a dozen production house executives in each market who were asked to comment on the number and type of "boards" they had received from ad agencies over the most recent month. The chart reflects "board flow" from mid-December to mid-January.

Tar-zhay Time Line

Target Market Moderne Lacing traditionally staid retail spots with eye-tingling pop art, au courant direction and breakthrough production values has made commercials for Minneapolis retailer Target tasty to consumers and production companies alike. Likewise, showcasing contrasting but related product categories and personalities in the same spots elevates Target ads from basic branding to entertaining, inclusive lifestyle messages.

The Florification Process

There Can Be Only ONE Delivering the premier ad for the first client of your brand-new, start-up agency is cause for pause among the heartiest of ad crafters. Make it your avowed mission to include the client's creative suggestions in the process and it could be Prozac time.

Evan Bernard Testifies Not to be confused with the Justice League of America (the home of DC Comics notables The Flash and Aquaman), the Production League of America is the new home of near superheroic director Evan Bernard.

Chicago Like those in most other ad communities, Chicagoans are expressing some degree of caution in predicting how this year's production picture will look in the face of the predicted economic challenges that lay ahead. Many are coming off a year that had all the makings of a disaster, but which, by many accounts, wasn't.

Digital Kitchen

Cutters Last year, full-service post facility Cutters rebranded its design and effects and its audio components into separate entities, SOL designfx, and Another Country and now Cutters Editorial is putting the finishing touches on the final phase of its new identity, a new space, some new workflow advances and staffing changes.

Victor Films Rino Liberatore, one-half of the former directing team Two Olives has partnered with executive producer Jeff Marpe in launching Victor Films, a new Chicago production company.

Lonely No More?

Optimus Chicago post player Optimus has devoted its efforts over the past few years to gearing up for full high-definition capability and continues its evolution with new initiatives to become a comprehensive creative services partner.

Child's Play "The idea is to manage the production and the set so that the child is comfortable and natural," says veteran director and company principal Ernie Mosteller of New York-based N Ur Eye Films. "Try to relate to him or her and get them excited about the moment. It sounds easy but ask any kindergarten teacher -- it's a very difficult task. The younger they get, the harder it is."

Nice, Honest Fakery Whether he's helping Robbie Williams strip down to the bone or rebuilding a scene from the pixel up, inferno* artist Simon Huhtala enjoys the visual sleight of hand afforded by his weapon of choice.

Mad Kid Disease

Existentialist Travel

Globally prepared

Artistic Precision

Chillin' With Chel

Revolution By Design: A Decade of Animation From J.J. Sedelmaier

All-Consuming Craft What started as a 10-year-old's one-way ticket away from boredom, is, for animation director Steven Angel, a business and a lifelong artistic outlet.

Animal Magnetism Here, we look at commercial destinations around the world, with production stories from the wilds of South Africa, and the "jewel of the Uruguayan Riviera." Also: seizing the production day in Chicago.

Carpe Diem

Expedient in Switzerland South

Creative Freedom/Repressive Scenery A cultural about-face led TBWA/Chiat/Day, New York and Anonymous director/DP Andrew Douglas to Krak--w, Poland to shoot a new Chivas Regal spot, "Old Man."

A New Era for Poland A growing Polish demand for Western directing talent led Los Angeles-based director Marshall Vernet to work with D'Arcy, Warsaw. Working through iQ Films, Toronto, Vernet traveled with iQ producer Liane Thomas to Warsaw and then Lodz where they shot a talent-driven, heavily art directed spot for Polish telecom corp Era GSM. Rafal Betlejewski, the senior copywriter on the spot "My Era," explains why the agency turned to a North American director.

Super Simple With more than 130 million viewers in the United States alone, Super Bowl Sunday remains a prime piece of media real estate for advertisers, but engaging the attention of those viewers requires game day strategy. According to some players, the key to a successful show is the K.I.S.S., as in Keep It Simple Stupid. The execution of a complex idea runs the risk of missing the mark, as advertisers face stiff competition for the attention of home viewers. According to the NFL, the average number of people at any given Super Bowl party is 17, while the day's food consumption is second only to Thanksgiving.

Mother's Peluca Christmas

Shockwave's Therapy

Five Union Becomes Stockland Martel

Army of Me

TBWA/Brasil Acquires Capsula

Highway To The Comfort Zones

Das Werk Enters French and US Markets

Black Logic Expands CG Department

Creative Management Partners Launch CM-TV

Mr. Nash Goes to Helsinki: Epica 2000

Moby Feels Like New School

Griffiths Drives With Armstrong

RSA Launches Top Dog With Exec Prod Kate Driver

Inventory A look at who's making the moves.

One View from Online You've heard this story ad nauseam over the last year. In another magazine. On a newsmagazine show. From your friend. Online. In between bouts of coming to terms with the fact that you have no idea what "convergence" or "broadband" really mean.