Reel Opinion - Paul Reynolds

For this month’s Reel Opinion we’ve enlisted the big brain of Adelphoi Music Head of Production and New Business Paul Reynolds, squeezing in time between preparing for the Adelphoi Music Cannes Party and departing for Geneva to take part in The Fireflies Ride. Phew! Here are his views on five top choices from the May Reel DVDs:

Paul Reynolds

Head of Production and New Business

Adelphoi Music

Coca Cola – Yeah Yeah Yeah, La La La

Agency: Mother London

Production: Blink London

Director: Dougal Wilson

So, for Gremlins, water is bad but Coke is OK. Coke will induce the cute little critters to create a masterful Calvin-Harris-Summertime-Dance-All-Over-The-Countryside-And-Enjoy-Coca-Cola-Smash-Hit-Pop-Tune while water will unleash a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters. I'm all for a bit of ad weirdness (Coke bottles grow on grassy hillsides you know) and the use of real puppets over CGI gives it the 'ahh' factor. Altogether a brave and interesting departure from the Happiness Factory.

Oasis – RubberDuckZilla

Agency: Mother

Production: HSI London

Director: Joseph Kahn

Ok you've got my attention. This is bonkers. Quite a tough job to parody the Japanese Godzilla and Mothra monster movies as they are quite daft already but this does it well for me. I don't know if it will cause a YouTube meltdown as some of the references might completely miss the younger market, but I'm already quaffing my 2nd bottle of Summer Fruits. There's something a bit iffy about the girls on the bed though...

Campbell’s – Fully Loaded

Agency: Clemenger Sydney

Production: Goodoil Films Sydney / Mustard London

Director: Hamish Rothwell

It's another spoof of the real man needing a real man's product theme. Not as infectious as some ads on a similar theme but it's well up there in the daft stakes. Full points for the rock vocals. I never thought I'd hear the words 'vegetables & pasta' sung with such passion. I'd have dropped the plate shots though as it looks like warmed up pavement pizza.

T-Mobile – Singalong

Agency: Saatchi&Saatchi London

Production: Partizan London

Director: Michael Gracey

As an event, this really worked. Thousands of people coming together and singing along, all care of T-Mobile. As an ad, 'Dance' was much better as it was unexpected and created buckets of public interest. I was a bit bored by 60" in and by the time the end of the ad came around I wanted to crawl under my desk and claw my ears out. 'Sing-along' is interesting to all those who were there, and maybe their families, but anyone else?

Toyota Prius – Harmony

Agency: Saatchi&Saatchi LA

Production: The Sweet Shop New York

Director: Mr Hide

The Prius may well turn ashen countryside to lush green, but turn the night to day? Of all the car's gadgets, that surely is the best one anyone's invented for years. It's a good looking commercial and I like the use of real people in costume, although it makes me think of Woody Allen dressed up as a sperm in 'Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex...' I just wonder why 'Let Your Love Flow' was used. It doesn't sync well and feels completely detached from the film.

So there you go! Big cheers to Mr Reynolds for his thoughts. If you fancy giving the man himself a hefty slap on the back (or face) for anything he said, he can be found at the Fireflys send off tonight (Friday 12th June) from 5:30 in Golden Square. If you’re feeling charitable (as well you should be) get your wallet out and stick some money in this direction too - http://www.justgiving.com/fireflypaul.

Good luck to all the Firefly types – whoever you may be!

NewsReel 12/06/09

HERE COMES TROUBLE...

Paris based company Troublemakers TV have 2 new signings to their books. The talented David Lobser and Decoy a.k.a Ryan Rothermel are now available to cause trouble in Europe (or for commercials and promos if you prefer that sort of thing).

For more David Lobser look here.

For more Ryan Rothermel look here.

They are both available for European commercials and promos.

THE SIMS 3 GETS ADDICTIVE.

Addictive TV, London based audiovisual artists and clever bods in the art of audio/video remixing, known for their alternative Hollywood movie trailers and blistering live shows, have created a remix trailer for the newly-released The Sims 3 game from Electronic Arts.

For this latest incarnation of The SIMS franchise Addictive TV were given game assets and full creative freedom to make a unique short audiovisual track for the release. The Sims 3 offers a whole world of creative possibilities and customization. You can create unique Sims with personalities and control their lives. Fulfill their life destiny, making their wishes come true… or not! Which is pretty much like all the other SIMS games, except this one is better… we think…

The Sims franchise has a rich history of artistic involvement with the game; artists from Katy Perry, Natasha Bedingfield, The Pussycat Dolls and Lily Allen to Depeche Mode, Junkie XL and Adam Freeland have all recorded versions of their tracks with lyrics in “Simlish”, the language of The Sims, but this is the first time a full audiovisual remix has been produced, creating music from the sounds in the game.

See Addictive TV’s snazz remix of The Sims 3 here:

For gig dates and to see more remixes, please visit: www.myspace.com/addictivetv

DUTCH AD AGENCY S-W-H BECOMES ‘INDIE’.

No this hasn’t got anything to do with whips, snakes, Nazis, artifacts, Harrison Ford or Speilberg. This is about the leading Dutch ad Agency S-W-H’s new rebrand!

S-W-H is no more... Now we have the mighty INDIE!

The re-brand comes after 11 years, during which time S-W-H has proven itself to be one of the most respected, award-winning and successful agencies in Amsterdam.

Indie (http://www.indie-amsterdam.com/) is launched at a high point in S-W-H’s history, which was named Agency of The Year in the Netherlands in 2008, recognising S-W-H’s creative talent and progressive campaigns.

The name Indie points to an independent status and an independent attitude towards creative concepts, one which embraces change, new opportunities, creative talent and the power of ideas. By looking at the fundamentals of clients’ needs, Indie’s intention is to create brand platforms focusing on creative and effective solutions without being restricted to any media channel.

We just think this is a great way to shoehorn in space for loads of Biblical artefacts and deadly booby traps around their office… But then that’s just us…

FEEL FILMS DIRECTOR MATT LIPSEY ENTERS PSYCHOVILLE.

Director Matt Lipsey is well known for his ad campaigns for Pimms, Ladbrokes, McDondald's and also for BAFTA award winning Little Britain and a slew of other cult comedy series such as Saxondale, Human Remains and Catterick.

He now brings us Psychoville, a 7-part series written and starring The League of Gentlemen’s Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith.

When? BBC Two from Thursday 18th June 2009.

What? An embittered one-handed clown; a desperately misguided midwife; a lovestruck telekinetic dwarf; a blind avaricious collector; and a serial-killer-obsessed man-child... five seemingly unconnected characters share one thing in common. Despite coming from different parts of the country and having different backgrounds and interests, each one has been sent an anonymous, black-edged card bearing the chilling message: "I know what you did..."

…Sounds right up our street…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/psychoville/
http://www.feelfilms.co.uk/commercials.html

Soho ShortsList

The entries are in, the judges are primed and the projectors are oiled (at least we think it’s that way round) – THE RUSHES SOHO SHORTS SHORTLIST IS HERE!

With entries, requests and interest from 112 countries (1,462 cities!) over 1,159 films have been received, 140 of which have been selected for competition. The 18 countries represented this year include Peru, France, Mexico, Chine, Spain, USA, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, Iceland, Australia, Slovenia, Israel, Ireland, Canada, Luxembourg and the UK. All films had to be under 12 minutes in length without credits and fall into the following competitive categories: The International Award, The Long Form Award, The Documentary Award, The Short Film Award, The Animation Award, The Music Video Award, The Broadcast Design Award and The Newcomers Award.

In keeping with our love of all things filmic and short here at The Reel (especially the film Willow), the festival shortlist is filled with splendid mini-movies, ads and promos that we’ve either seen or are keen to see. The full list of films screening in competition, along with the directors and companies that made the work, can now be seen be seen at www.sohoshorts.com

We caught up with Festival Director Joe Bateman to quiz him on the ins and outs of the selection, and to find out what festival goers have in store from 22nd July.

How do you feel this year's submissions compare to 2008's?

I feel more conscious of the breadth of entries this year. There’s, maybe, slightly less UK driven content (but not hugely so) and we’ve definitely increased our international attention. The standard seems higher and there seems to be more confidence in the narrative. If we had the facility we could have doubled the amount of content we wanted to showcase. It’s a painful experience choosing the final line up.

Why have you chosen to introduce the two new categories?

Every year we look at the volume of work and quietly wish we had more room to show more work. It was clear early on in the entry period that we were receiving more than our usual quota of international entries so we committed to creating a programme for them. At first this was going to be a guest programme, along with our other 12, but then it became clear that with a little extra effort we could deliver the programme in-competition, it was a forgone conclusion. Creating the category meant we could also showcase the strong UK contenders. It’ll also mean that we can provide unique UK Showcases to foreign events, something that we’re currently working on. The Long Form category came about because with the added interest from abroad I was getting a few emails stating “If you were a proper international film festival you’d have a longer running time for your films and except my 20 minute film”, may be that’s a slight generalisation but close enough. I was paranoid enough to think that they had a point, it also meant that any films that may have, dubiously, been hitting the stipulated 12 minute running time now had a legitimate category to compete in.

Can you give us a sneaky heads-up on what events we can expect to see in the festival week, and which ones you're most looking forward to?

Mmm. The opening night premiere feature film will be great, the stand-up comedy should be good too, the ‘all day’ events at BAFTA and London Film Academy will certainly be fun and I’m looking forward to our networking night at The Movieum. We’ve kept a similar set up (to previous years) with the lunchtime seminars and afternoon panel discussions which are always enlightening. We’re also hosting the Advertising Producers Association presenting the CPFE/Shots Young Directors Programme once again and of course the amazing straight 8 programmes. Our two exhibitions, suitably titled DNA and TURD BRAINS, will be fantastic and they’ll be backed up with experimental and very artistic screening programmes. But I think the biggest event for me, and what I always look forward to, is the grand finale, The Rushes Awards Ceremony and the after party! Someone please make sure I get a BIG pint of beer!

Is the legendary Terry Christian hosting the awards show again?

How could he not!

So there we go, shorts, events and turd brains a go-go PLUS Mr Terry Christian! We’ll be there, front row centre, and urge the rest of ya to get involved. The Festival runs over 10 days; Wednesday 22nd July to Friday 31st July, and all the information you could ever wish for can be found on the website - www.sohoshorts.com.

NewsReel 05/06/09

CONTAGIOUS INFECTS CANNES… AGAIN


Our foxy sister-mag Contagious is back in Cannes again this year, taking the stand with Leo Burnett for another exciting instalment of the popular seminar: WILDFIRE.

This year, it will be looking at 'Wildfire Stories'. What are they? I hear you shout… Well allow us to explain:

Digital technology has allowed for the creation of ever more immersive narratives, and the art of storytelling is no longer a linear one. This seminar will be looking at campaigns with a strong talkability factor to faster spread the word: branding strategies that incorporate user-generated or community elements, encouraging people to take on the next chapter; the alternate reality games and fragmented narratives that draw in millions of players; the PR disasters; the heart-warming collaborations; and the myriad ways in which people utilise new technologies to communicate their own personal stories, day in, day out.Leo Burnett and Contagious not only bring delegates the usual showcase of all the most innovative and intriguing creative work from around the world, they also help the audience tell their story. There’ll be plenty of interactivity, and some surprises along the way.

For time and place - just glance up to the shiny wildfire logo - and all will be revealed!

(Wednesday 24th June, Debussy Theatre, 4:00 PM)

Speakers this year include:

Paul Kemp-Robertson, Editorial Director, Co-founder - Contagious

Kevin Flatt, EVP, Executive Creative Director of the Digital Practice - Leo Burnett, Arc USA

Marc Giusti, Group Chief Digital Officer - Leo Burnett UK

Follow them on the latest communication hype factory - Twitter: http://twitter.com/wildfirestories
And don’t forget to check out the Wildfire Tumblr page as well – its weapon: http://wildfire09.tumblr.com/

GREY LAUNCHES THE SMALLEST WEBSITE IN THE WORLD

Grey Amsterdam has launched a new service, Grey Lite, to support clients through a tough financial year, with the help of the world’s smallest website.

The Grey Lite service offers ‘small jobs, small prices’ to clients who are looking for extra-fast, extra-value services with the built-in high quality standards they have come to expect from Grey Amsterdam.

To reflect the philosophy that good things can come in small packages (we have been telling ourselves that at the Reel for years now), the service is launched with a micro-site http://www.greylite.nl/, a website so small you need a magnifying glass to view it. The supporting direct mail campaign involves a brochure no bigger than a postage stamp - and the essential accompanying magnifying glass.

PRODIGY SIGNS DIRECTOR MATT PALMER

PRODIGY has signed acclaimed director Matt Palmer for representation. Matt’s strong visual sense coupled with his subtle comedic style has created a solid reputation over the many years in advertising production.
Matt started his career as an art director where he developed his skills for some years. As he began to attract interest and become an in demand art director his visual style and creative approach to his work lead him into directing. His strength now lies in storytelling with a strong art director’s eye. Having successfully helmed commercials for clients such as Steinlager, Yellow Pages and Twisties, Matt has become an acclaimed director.
Jonathan Samway, Executive Producer of PRODIGY states ‘Matt is a supreme visual storyteller that is a product of 15 years as a professional filmmaker, I believe that Matt compliments our roster and we are honoured to have him join our team.
www.prodigyfilms.com/matt_palmer

IRIS APPOINTS BT'S KATHRYN PRITCHARD

Iris Worldwide has recently appointed former BT Head of Organisational Development and Design, Kathryn Pritchard, to the newly created role of Global Talent Director.

The appointment comes as the independent agency intensifies its focus on securing the best talent in the industry to help drive aggressive expansion plans across the globe. Pritchard will take up the role in July and will report in to the agency’s joint CEO and founder Stewart Shanley. Her remit will include Board level recruitment, building world class regional management capability and leadership development across the network.

Pritchard brings over 15 years of experience from senior HR roles held at BT, the Royal Mail, and the BBC and has a number of qualifications from some of the world’s finest business institutions including


THE BEATLES INVADE ROCKBAND

The ever famous fab four are to become the focus of the next incarnation of the huge Rockband videogame series. Passion pictures have stepped up to the plate once more with the mighty Pete Candeland to launch the new game… for a sneak peek… look here:



The Beatles: Rock Band game is to be launched in September 2009.

Title: Introduction Cinematic; The Beatles: Rock Band
Client: Harmonix/ MTV and Apple Corps
Production Company: Passion Pictures
Director: Pete Candeland
Producer: Debbie Crosscup
Executive Producer: Hugo Sands
Animation Director: Robert Valley
Character Design: Robert Valley, Ree Treweek (from Shy the Sun)
Backgrounds: Alberto Mielgo, Daniel Cacouault, Lukasz Pazera, Jim Bowers, Alan Aldridge

AND FINALLY...

Sometimes you see an ad, and all you can think is…

...What were they thinking...

CHAMPIONS!

What do back-projection rigged Fords, Zidane stalked footy players sporting adidas and Christian Slaters PC World habits have in common? They’re amongst the high profile spots premiered in the Champions League Final on Wednesday night in the UK. Whilst not garnering the kind of ad frenzy our Yankee cousins’ Superbowl may command, the sporting event certainly draws a few high profile launches. Here are three cinematic numbers that caught our eye:

ADIDAS – THE SPARK

Talk about sly planning. Slap bang in the middle of a (sorry to say it Man U fans) Barcalona led match, adidas, 180 Amsterdam and RIOT launch their latest footy campaign starring Barca star Lionel Messi. Shot in the style of a Sin City-esque graphic novel, the spot shows a mysterious hooded Zidane checking out ‘The Spark’ as he dominates the pitch. However, the 30 second TV commercial is just the tip of a integrated iceberg, with the distinctive design elements running through to print, retail, digital, events, ground activation and even gaming – as well as a moody 90 second film seeded online.



Speaking of the campaign, Eric Liedtke, SVP of Brand Marketing for adidas says, “We set out to do something different in how we brought the F50i and our Every Team Needs communications program to consumers. To the football audience a big TV spot is only a moment long, but an intriguing series of films, clues, product previews and digital tools can sustain this consumer and entice them to engage with our product and brand and put us in their consideration set for purchase.”

Check out more at www.adidas.com/football.

PC WORLD – WHATEVER YOUR WORLD

Computers. There’re everywhere now. From futuristic touchscreens to GPS madness, no matter where you sit, sleep or wipe your bum, a Bill Gates powered technodroid is probably monitoring you. So it stands to reason that chatting to the compu-literate folk at PC World might be a good way to stay ahead of Skynet. For their latest campaign, the computer behemoth and Saatchi&Saatchi have eschewed the normal processing and RAM stats to present an entire microchip lifestyle solution. Utilising a distinctive voiceover and many guises, the ad’s protagonist tells us how PC World cleverbods basically made his life loads better. Oh, and he changes into Christian Slater at one point and he was in Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves – BLI-MEY - so it’s a heavy win from us.

FORD - KINETIC

Continuing the cinematic theme, the latest spot for Ford takes us behind the screens of the movie making process by showcasing their sleek cars on back-projection rigs. Following a group of drivers as they weave through a lonely city, the commercial cleverly intercuts between the ‘film’ and the ‘set’ – all showcasing the vehicles ability to ‘look like they’re moving even when they’re not’. Quite why this is a good thing we’re not sure, but the spot is well pretty and the end jump reminds us a bit of Speed, so there you go.

NewsReel 29/05/09

Blac Ionica get augmented

Blac Ionica have recently completed the first ever augmented reality music video. Agency Devilfish approached to the Ionica team to design and direct an imaginative augmented reality music video for young new Columbia Records artist Julian Perretta - http://www.julianperretta.com/ride_my_star/

Built around his track "Ride My Star", the video is a 3D trip through Julian’s imagination as he searches for his girl. Using a combination of Flash and Papervision to create the 3d scenarios. This was then developed in Augmented Reality (which uses Flash, your webcam and a special printed "icon" tracker to create a fully immersive, interactive video.)

The pop-up book designs were created by London based directors Blac Ionica. Zerofractal Studios from Colombia programmed the video in Papervision and Flash, developed and created the accompanying interface.


This is the first time that Augmented Reality has been used on this scale in conjunction with a recording artist.

The icon/tracker will be handed out as part of a flyer at dates on Julian's tour supporting Girls Aloud. It will also be available to download Julian Perretta’s website.

"Ride My Star", is taken from Julian’s forthcoming debut album which will be released later this summer and is available as a free download here www.julianperretta.com

Athene Parker Joins Another

The wonderful Athene Parker has joined Another Film Company’s New Business Department working alongside Nicky Flemming.

An ex-commissioner at Virgin Records Athene has worked at both Streetlight films and Park Village. At Another she will work across their growing roster of quality Directors.

Paul King Signs to Stink


Director Paul King, responsible for the legendary Garth Marenghi and The Mighty Boosh to has signed to Stink for worldwide commercials representation.

King joins Stink with a background in TV and theatre direction, having carved a niche for himself as one of Britain's leading comedy craftsmen. Alongside collaborators Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding and Julian Barrett, King has had a significant impact on the current shape of British comedy and the new wave of horrendous Hoxton haircuts.

And Finally….

Here is the new office fave Cassetteboy running wild on the nations favourite hate-show The Apprentice…

Enjoy



And here is a fabulous game from Doritos that allows you to duff up real people with dodgeballs… Just what you need for a Friday afternoon…

http://dodgeball.doritos.co.uk/game/

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!