Experience Spinifex in China

The principals of Spinifex Group, worldwide leaders in creating and delivering cutting-edge experience media projects, are very proud to continue their collaborations with Director Han Lixun, famous for the print-block segment of the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony, and Yvonne Ho, producer on the Beijing Olympic Games, in creating the cinematic multimedia feature attraction at the heart of Yan City, which just opened in China’s Chun Zhu Province. This latest spectacular high-tech storytelling achievement, uniting the talents of Director Han with those of Spinifex Group creative director Richard Lindsay and his colleagues, builds upon their joint efforts during the historic Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, wherein Spinifex was distinguished as one of the only non-Chinese production company involved. A news release on this project is available here, and the case study is online at SpinifexGroup.com.

Experience media from Spinifex Group

I’m very proud to be working with the phenomenal Sydney-based creative communications company Spinifex Group, which is made up of authentic leaders in creating and delivering experience media.

With recent projects ranging from immersive interactive experiences to global broadcast events and epic big screen corporate communications extravaganzas, they have resolved some of the most ambitious and complex storytelling challenges of our times, with historical results. Below, I’ve organized summary notes on some of their latest projects, which as you’ll see, include numerous mesmerizing ceremonies and pavilions at the Shanghai World Expo, the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Ceremonies, the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics Ceremonies, and many others. Read more

Gandulf Hennig: Thanks for the Documentary

Earlier this month the PBS American Masters Series debuted “Merle Haggard: Learning to Live With Myself,” an amazing documentary where noted filmmaker Gandulf Hennig spent two years following the legendary musician and songwriter at home and on tour, as he hit new artistic and commercial highs. I watched this film in awe of Mr. Haggard’s authenticity as a man who faced extreme difficulty in his early life and has persevered in making the most of his experiences, and his considerable talents, in ways that make him extraordinary.

Many thanks to PBS, Mr. Hennig and Mr. Haggard for bringing this fascinating story to the world.
Image (credit: Harrison/Getty) from “Merle Haggard Looks Back in New Documentary” by Patrick Doyle for Rolling Stone.

Nathan Love wows TV and online viewers worldwide

Record numbers of television and online viewers worldwide continue to experience the artistry of New York City animation studio Nathan Love and its illustrious clientele. The latest releases include commercial collaborations with director Willis Wong, Lunar Films and Hopr for J. Walter Thompson Shanghai promoting China’s popular online game Fantasy Westward Journey, and with advertising agency 22squared for Baskin-Robbins’ nationwide summer advertising campaign. Nathan Love is online at www.nathanlove.com, on Facebook here, and on Linkedin here.

All good for rising NYC animation studio Nathan Love

Break out the crayons and beer, because Nathan Love is ready to play! This world-class animation studio is known for creating memorable characters, detailed worlds and engaging narratives, making it a party and inviting your whole crew. Driven by a passion for storytelling, their creative, technical and production capabilities are constantly evolving. Equally at home creating sensational 2D and 3D animation, the studio’s talents span all aspects of project creation and production. They are creators of commercial campaigns, original films, super-fun web content, video game projects, merchandise and more. Besides their extraordinary craftsmanship Nathan Love is also fun and inviting to work with, enjoying daily collaborations with leading creatives, live-action and CGI directors, sound designers, composers, web developers and other artists. So next time you’re dreaming-up a project, drop your briefcase and join the fun at www.NathanLove.com, or call +1.212.925.7111.

Rogue and Universal Pictures put Ralph on “MacGruber”

The principals of award-winning digital creative agency Ralph proudly detail their latest project, the officlal www.iamrogue.com/macgruber website launched on April 23 for feature film comedy “MacGruber” from Rogue Pictures, in their news release here. In that story, Jay Armitage, Ralph’s co-founder and director explains,

“This is the first complete website we have produced for a major studio release, and we’ve applied our experiences seeing how effective digital content can be when it becomes an interactive extension of the movie or show, and allows audiences to get to know and engage with main characters in a strategic narrative context.”

Shilo’s global recognition and evolution

The 2008 “Burma Viral” project produced by U.S. creative production company Shilo, together with Carl Le Blond, Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy & Mather Amsterdam, John Jackson, Director of Social Responsibility, MTV Networks, Suki Dusanj, Founder of The Burma Arts Board, activist Sam Roddick and others, is featured within the pages of “For A Good Cause,” a new collection of the world’s best socially conscious design. Recently released by Barcelona-based publisher Index Book, the book was conceived and authored by Cactus Disseny, and is now available through major booksellers worldwide. In other news, on Shilo’s recently updated website at www.shilo.tv, the company is now individually showcasing its directorial talents. Among the newest works presented are the powerful Under Armour “Protect This House. I Will.” films, and the FELA! project, all directed by Andre Stringer, with concept and writing credits going to Shilo’s sibling creative company, WMIG. In this story detailing Shilo’s latest developments, partner and EP Tracy Chandler explains that individually crediting directors Stringer, Jose Gomez, Noah Conopask and Evan Dennis, along with the growing importance of WMIG in much of their project work, are key components of the company’s successful evolution.

Stop-Motion Brand Film from We Are Plus Illustrates Powers of SMART Board

Jeremy Hollister, Judy Wellfare and their colleagues at NYC-based strategic creative ideas studio We Are Plus are very proud to reveal their latest project, produced in collaboration with Toronto-based Sharpe Blackmore Euro RSCG. This creative, stop-motion brand film showcasing the category-leading SMART Board interactive whiteboard from SMART Technologies is being distributed internationally in seven languages via viral seeding and Facebook, and will also be featured in other applications and materials by SMART’s marketing team. The story from We Are Plus, including complete project credits, is available here. For more information on SMART Technologies, please visit www.smarttech.com, or check out to learn more about the new Love of Learning campaign.

ESPN: Thanks for the Documentaries

ESPN 30 for 30 is an unprecedented documentary series featuring 30 films from some of today’s finest storytellers. Each filmmaker brings their passion and personal point of view to their film detailing the issues, trends, athletes, teams, rivalries, games and events that transformed the sports landscape from 1979 to 2009. The series kicked off in April with “No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson,” directed by Oscar-nominee Steve James, who is represented in the commercial industry by Nonfiction Unlimited. Check out the official 30 for 30 website — 30for30.espn.com — for the full schedule and more information.

Shilo goes theatrical in new film for “FELA!”

Theatrical industry new media advertising/marketing company Art Meets Commerce recently commissioned the filmmakers at creative production company Shilo to produce a broadcast spot for the landmark Broadway musical “FELA!” as part of their integrated campaign for the show. Read more