NewsReel 22/05/09

Adventures in ondotzero-land

We’re all about the best in moving image here at The Reel, so naturally we love the work of the mighty onedotzero. If you do too, and are full to the brim with creativity and talent, then the following may be of interest.

onedotzero are making a final call to visionary creators to submit new work to the globetrotting festival of innovative contemporary moving image and digital creativity.

onedotzero_adventures in motion is at the forefront of a new type of boutique festival
experience which combines collaborative music, film and live performance, playful interactivity, digital arts and culture.




A truly unique international showcase of leading edge arts and entertainment, it’s not only brilliant but entirely free for creators to submit their work!! The show will premiere at the BFI Southbank; the UK’s flagship centre for moving image located in London’s most visited cultural quarter, before an extensive UK and world tour.

If you’re interested in getting involved, this is onedotzero final call for proposals for short film, animation, music videos, installations, interactive works and live audio-visual performances. Point your browser at www.onedotzero.com/submissions for details.

Two men set to Rokkit

Rokkit have signed two new directors. Normally we’d write our own little spin on their biogs, but we rather like what we were sent:

Michael Moloney


After venturing down from Bolton to study Graphic Design, Mike dabbled in film trailers and a career in new media before dancing to the beat of his own drum. Thumpa thumpa.
Mike has been mixing live action, characters, and all manner of animation for the likes of the BBC, Fallon and Channel 4 for a while now, with no previous representation. They always come back. He's a very nice chap.
Mike is still trying to convince his family that he has a proper job....Has he?

Check out his reel - http://www.rokkit.tv/?section=directors&director=director_15

Rafael Lopez-Sorbidet


After a couple of years studying Image & Sound Design at the University of Buenos Aires, Rafael spent some time studying filmmaking in New York, where he shot several short films.
When he came back to Buenos Aires he took the Acting for Directors Seminar with Augusto Fernández.

He kicked off directing in 2007 and has already shot for several countries and markets.

Rafael won 2 Golden Lions in Cannes, aged 24 years. His main skill is directing actors. Which is handy.

Check out his reel - http://www.rokkit.tv/?section=directors&director=director_10

TAXI to the Dutch side


News time - TAXI has purchased a majority of Dutch digital agency Ottonico. The acquisition represents a crucial step in TAXI’s growth by establishing a presence in Europe. TAXI, begun in 1992, now operates five offices in Canada, as well as New York and Amsterdam. That’s a lot of cabs.

The deal has been several months in the making. TAXI executives considered several European cities and partnerships before deciding upon Amsterdam and Ottonico. “This was a decision to invest in Europe to deliver local and global reach to both European and North American clients,” said Lavoie. “We chose Amsterdam because it is a creative and multi-cultural hub, and we chose Ottonico because they embody the future of integrated communications.”

Ottonico’s Verhage and van Huijstee take the titles of General Manager and Executive Creative Director, respectively. “Our creative visions are a natural fit,” said van Huijstee. “We share the belief that there is no 'new' and no 'old' media; every channel can deliver results when the choice is rooted in consumer insight.”

Verhage and van Huijstee will work closely with TAXI co-founders Paul Lavoie and Jane Hope in the coming months on integrating Ottonico into the TAXI network. “Our first responsibility is to existing clients, the integration of diverse capabilities across our network is aimed at delivering on their needs now and into the future,” concluded TAXI CEO, Rob Guenette.

And finally


It's Friday. It's a Bank Holiday weekend. It's time you let the bo selectas at The Reel fill your ears with joy. Here's a ten track Spotify playlist for your delectation - http://open.spotify.com/user/jamiemadge/playlist/5bZwutwmo60hjtt9AN16dv. This you can do better? Email us your compilations at editor@thereel.net or post them in the comments box below. We dares ya!

INSIDE THE BLACK JERSEY

Sports giant adidas and Amsterdam’s 180 have recently finished a five part series that will have Rugby fans (and especially All Black fans) up in burly joyus rapture. ‘Inside The Black Jersey’ follows arguably the greatest rugby team of all time, and current world number ones, The New Zealand All Blacks. (We won’t mention that they choke at virtually every world cup… erm…).

Produced by 180’s production arm U-Turn and their digital wing RIOT the campaign focuses on one player and one game in each chapter, giving a measured look at the raw emotion, tension and struggle the team went through each and every leg of the tour.

The series manages to give unprecedented access to the camaraderie and mechanics of the world famous squad. Instead of focusing on the usual hype and hysteria surrounding the team, this campaign follows them intensely during their Grand Slam tour and shows an intimate portrait of what it is really like to be on tour with the world’s greatest rugby side.

The branded content campaign tells the story from five different perspectives within the team and features star players such as Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Ali Williams. Splitting the films up into 5 separate themes, we are able to see a broad spectrum of players and stories, from how they feel to carry the title of being an ‘All Black’ to what it means to captain such a prestigious side.

It’s not just the players that are the focus of the documentaries. We also get a rare insight into what it is to coach the mighty All Blacks. World class coaches Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Ross Smith tell us what it is like to be the men who decide who gets the black jersey (no mean feat!).

180 are seeding the 10 minute documentaries online, and using the new adidas platform adidas.tv as the launchpad. Rugby fans will be able to enjoy the long format films during May and June of this year.

For oval ball aficionados that can’t wait to find out the order of release you need look no further…



Chapter 1: All Blacks vs. Scotland “The Captain”

Richie McCaw talks about what it is like to be the All Black wearing the captain’s armband. We find out the challenges of a tour, how Richies time is structured and a bit about what the boys in black do in their downtime.

Chapter 2: All Blacks vs. Ireland “The Rookie”

Kieran Read to gives us the lowdown on his first international tournament as an All Black. He talks about his season of firsts: His first selection, first jersey, and first game. We watch the Rookie at team training and we find out just how hard you have to work to make the first 15.

Chapter 3: All Blacks vs. Munster “The Character”

Ali Williams names the fun guys on the team. We learn a little more about the teams’ social life and how the guys wind down.Ali travels to meet the locals in a traditional Limerick Pub and hear from what it is like to be in Munster.

Chapter 4: All Blacks vs. Wales “The Coaches”

We hear from coaches Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Ross Smith what it is like to be the men who decides who gets the black jersey. They talk candidly about the players and each other. What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses? We find out what they think of each other. We have seen the coaches looking serious in press conferences and on the sideline, for the first time ever we see them as human beings, as guys who are also mates, who share the huge responsibility of leading the world famous all black team

Chapter 5: All Blacks vs. England “The Playmaker”

Told through the eyes of Daniel Carter we hear from him on what is it like being one of the All Blacks’s top points scorers. The film captures the tension, focus and aspirations leading up to the AB’s most important match of the tournament. We see him at goal kicking practise, and find out if there is such a thing as a perfect kick. Where is the sweet spot on the ball? He shares with us the way that he handles the pressure and what techniques he uses to stay calm and focused.