Screen Magazine - Index

Screen Magazine - Screen Magazine: Vol. 29, Issue 9 - Index

Erick Ifergan Signs with VILLAINS
Director Erick Ifergan has signed with VILLAINS (Los Angeles)
for exclusive US spot represenation. He continues to produce
international work through his LA-based company, Serial
Dreamer; Ifergan is repped by Bandits in France and
by Bikini Films in the UK. One of the most influential
and recognized talents in the advertising industry, Ifergan
recently helmed the
PlayStation 3 “Heavenly
Sword” campaign via
TBWA/Chiat/Day LA.
“Erick is a visionary, he
is always ahead of the
curve,” said VILLAINS
executive producer
Nancy Osborne of Ifergan, whose standout work over the
years spans the visual and creative spectrum, including
projects for Apple, Nintendo, AT&T, IBM, Davidoff, Mistubishi,
Cavali, Toyota and more. “He never ceases to amaze me,
and in today’s climate advertisers and agencies are seeking
creative partners that bring out the best in everyone.”
Ifergan commented on the state of the industry as well,
noting that his signing with VILLAINS reflected both his
confidence in Osborne and his hope for the future of the spot
world. “Nancy is extremely passionate and experienced,
which is very important to me,” the director said. “My career
depends on the excitement level and the focus of the
people who represent me. We are seeing a re-evaluation
of the advertising landscape now. With viewers having so
much access to media, the power rests with the audience.
My hope is that we’ll be inspired toward quality and artistry,
and I know that I can look to VILLAINS to attract interesting
work on my behalf.”
//www.villains.com
Designer/Animator Kyle Shoup Joins Lift Motion Design
Motion graphics designer and animator Kyle Shoup has
joined Lift Motion Design (Chicago) as the design studio
continues to add depth and experience to its creative
team. Shoup arrives from Lightborne, a Cincinnati animation
studio where he worked on music videos, commercial and
broadcast projects for such clients as HBO, MTV and ECCO
Golf. He also has experience in environmental design and
fine art video installations.
“Kyle is a very talented young artist, with great creative
instincts. His enthusiasm, drive and curiosity make him a
great fit for the Lift Motion team,” said Lift creative director
Jason White.
In one of the highlights of his stint at Lightborne, Shoup wrote
and co-directed the video “Summer Skin” for Death Cab for
Cutie that became part of the group’s Grammy-nominated
long-form video series “Directions.” He also developed a
graphic direction proposed for the renovation of Yankees
Stadium in New York. His most recent project was to design
tour graphics for country singer Kenny Chesney. Additionally,
Shoup recently assisted artist Anthony Luensman with several
private-and publically-commissioned video installations.
In discussing his move to Lift Motion, Shoup described it
as an “irresistible opportunity” “It’s a chance to work in
a bigger market and collaborate with a wider circle of
artists,” he said. “I am also very impressed with Lift Motion
and its drive to do great work.”
//www.liftmotion.com
Spec Commercial Spotlight Shines On SpotLab
“Imagine a job where you work 10 days a year and make
a hundred grand?” Welcome to SpotLab, a new Web series
following fledgling commercial directors in which each
participant will shoot three original spec spots in three
months to break into advertising.
Fifteen filmmakers were chosen from over 60 applicants
- each ready to become the next hot commercial director.
Financing a commercial shoot is no small feat, and these
brave directors will put it all on the line, pulling together a
new showreel in the next 90 days.
Formerly known as Group101Spots, the organization has
an impressive track record, launching the careers of over
70 commercial directors through connecting members
with agency scripts and one-on-one mentoring. “One
of the things we’re most proud of is that we are not only
bringing up the directors, but all the DPs, editors, producers,
production designers and other artists who collaborate
with them,” founder and executive producer Dina Mande-
Gould points out. “We’ve heard of many people working in
the industry getting their first agent, or getting bumped up
from assistant editor to staff editor, as a result of the work
they’ve done in this program.”
The Web series tracks the directors’ progress as they select
their scripts, shoot their spots and create a great new reel to
transform their careers.
//www.thespotlab.com
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Thornberg & Forester Adds Producer Kimberly Abels,
Secures Ravelle Tomczak
Producer Kimberly Abels has joined the multidisciplinary
creative studio Thornberg & Forester (New York). Abels has
extensive experience in broadcast, advertising and new
media production, and recently has been working with
T&F on a freelance basis. She already has several projects
under her belt, including a network launch for Planet
Green, a new, 24-hour eco-lifestyle television channel being
launched next month by Discovery, as well as a commercial
campaign for Chrysler and a graphics package for The
AICP Show.
Abels said that after freelancing for the past year she had
been looking for a permanent home and felt that Thornberg