Category Archives: Commercial Production Press Releases

AlphaDogs’ Russell Frazier Creates Graphics for 36th Annual Annie Awards

BURBANK, CA, April 6, 2009 – For Russell Frazier of AlphaDogs, the 36th Annual Annie Awards were not an opportunity to be honored for past work; rather, the event was a chance for Frazier to showcase new work. As he has done since 2007, Frazier created the graphics for the show, which celebrates the best in animation.

"It is both fun and an honor to participate in this project, because the audience for the event is filled with the most accomplished animators and voice talent in the industry," says Frazier, who was first approached by AlphaDogs client and independent producer Les Perkins of LES IS MORE PRODUCTIONS to supply the graphics for the Annie Awards in late 2006. "We had worked with Les many times over the past decade, on projects for the Walt Disney Co. and others. I’m so glad this has developed into an annual opportunity."

"Russell’s work is always outstanding," Perkins enthuses. "His instincts and judgments are very good and he produces great results with very little direction on my part. I’ve gotten to the point with Russell where I just tell him the concept for the Annies show and he finishes the job without needing any revisions."

"Les and ASIFA Hollywood’s Antran Manoogian have given me more freedom each year to set a look for the show," Frazier acknowledges, "though I try to harmonize with related Annie Awards material on the ASIFA website and the printed program."

In 2007, Frazier’s first year working on the show, animator Eric Goldberg had supplied caricatures of famous animators for the website, which Frazier incorporated into his graphics package. "Because the subject is animation, there’s room for some humor in the design," he says. "For example, one year the lower 3rd banners were shaped like thought balloons emanating from the trophy." For this year’s ceremony, held January 30, 2009, at UCLA’s Royce Hall in Los Angeles, Frazier imagined an art deco setting with a distinguished "Old Hollywood" look. "The event and the venue have an elegant air, and I wanted to complement that with this year’s graphics," he explains.

Creating the titles for the Annies is a big job, with over a hundred nominees in 25 categories. "I’d never want to tarnish any nominee’s evening by misspelling his or her name, so aside from aesthetic concerns, we proofread all the text more than once," says Frazier, who has created film & documentary titles and graphics, television show opens, visual effects, promo graphics, and DVD menus for numerous clients, and has worked as a visual effects compositor on over a dozen feature films.

"I always enjoy working on the Annies," Frazier concludes, "and look forward to next year."

About the Annie Awards

First held in 1972, the Annie Awards have grown to become animation’s highest honor. The Annies are dedicated to honoring the best animated films of the year, as well as recognizing individual achievement. All members of ASIFA-Hollywood may vote for the winners.

RESTLESS Scores EMMY Nod with Wayne Holloway’s NFL Fantasy Football Ad

VENICE, CA, April 3, 2009 – "Bad Day," an NFL Fantasy Football spot directed by Wayne Holloway of RESTLESS and created via agency Mering Carson, has been honored with an EMMY nomination as Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement – Institutional, in the 61st Annual Primetime EMMY Awards.

Also known as "Fantasy Football Blues 2008," the commercial features comic vignettes conveying the misery of fans who had a losing season in Fantasy Football. The bright side to their plight? NFL.com’s Fantasy Playoff challenge, a free contest in which they could win a trip to Super Bowl XLIV.

Holloway was out in the California desert shooting a Snickers spot via BBDO/Moscow, and could not be reached for comment, but one presumes he is pleased. And thirsty.

RESTLESS partners: Sabertooth, Film Realitè

CG/Interactive Firm Sabertooth Opens in Venice, CA

VENICE, CA, March 23, 2009 – Sabertooth, an end-to-end digital solutions provider, has opened up shop, presided over by Creative Director/Founder David Cullipher and Executive Producer John Busenberg. Sabertooth has a slew of projects already underway, including several Interactive CG and CG Print collaborations with TBWA/Chiat/Day/Tequila, for clients Nissan and Gatorade. Interactive work for Walmart (Martin Agency), Office Max (Escape Pod/Chicago), and Intuit, as well as broadcast spots for Bosch and The Attik, are also in production.

"Our focus is on handling complicated, nontraditional digital problems. From our work with Nissan and Tequila, we’ve become known as CG web specialists, and we do have a fantastic pipeline for creating those kinds of assets," Cullipher said. "What distinguishes us in the big picture is that we invent practical new ways to provide more creative control and production efficiency through technology."

As an integrated studio, Sabertooth has access to a roster of award-winning directors and DPs, combining its VFX/interactive services with in-house live action partner companies Film Realitè and RESTLESS. "What we see happening at agencies is a coming together of interactive with live action production, so we’ve created the same model to address their needs," Cullipher noted. "The one thing we hear again and again from interactive producers and creatives is that there is a disconnect between broadcast and interactive – you can’t return from a traditional broadcast shoot and expect the footage to translate into a viral campaign. That’s just frustrating for both departments."

"Now we’re starting to see the shift happen," Busenberg added. "We are starting to be asked by agencies to consult with them on both broadcast and interactive before they go on location to help them understand what is possible from an interactive standpoint. We think this is how the process should work to really benefit the agency and ultimately the client."

According to Cullipher, Sabertooth is designed to be a next-generation production company. "By having everything literally under one roof, we can offer tremendous efficiencies to our clients," he said The alliances with Film Realitè – a venerable outfit known for its automotive expertise – and RESTLESS – a younger commercial production company responsible for innovative high-profile work such as the recent celeb-studded adidas originals "House Party" viral campaign for Sid Lee - provide Sabertooth with a world-class directors and production infrastructure for any live action components, from automotive to comedy to visual storytelling.

"Sabertooth is a place where agencies can execute complicated cross-disciplinary projects without the added friction of multiple vendors, and without the double markup or double management that can accompany hiring three or four vendors to complete one job," Busenberg said. "It’s the future."

Prior to forming Sabertooth, Cullipher and Busenberg were part of Two-Headed Monster, where the pair created interactive, CG, and other projects for Infiniti (Designory), P&G’s Share Water Project CSDW.ORG (TEQUILA), Hyundai (Goodby, Silverstein & Partners), and VW (CP+B/Denver).

Based in Venice, CA, Sabertooth is a collective of designers, directors, VFX and interactive artists dedicated to creating amazing work. We are medium agnostic, flowing between interactive, film, video, online, print and broadcast. Creatively restless, we continually seek new methods and techniques to improve ourselves and our work. We treat clients as partners, and believe that great work in any medium results from the dynamic creative collaboration that takes place between idea and execution. 

Fools and Horses Signs Director John Zissimos

LOS ANGELES, CA, March 20, 2009 – Director John Zissimos has signed with Fools and Horses for  exclusive US spot representation. He comes over from Hungry Man. A former creative director with TBWA/Chiat/Day, J. Walter Thompson, and McCann Erickson, Zissimos has done award-winning creative work for Nissan, Nestle, Lipton, Amstel, and more. As a spot director specializing in comedy/dialogue, he has helmed campaigns and spot projects for clients such as Mike’s Hard Lemonade, the San Francisco Giants, Airborne, PG&E, and the Inside Out Film Festival. His first assignments with Fools and Horses are a Sprint viral via Goodby Silverstein Partners, and the "Quick. Get that Dog Some ALPO" campaign via Fallon/MN.

"Shelly and Cyn are such a great team. They’re universally respected by everyone I know in this business." Zissimos said of Fools and Horses Owners/EPs Shelly Townsend and Cyn Guzman. "They create an enormous amount of confidence on jobs because they care about all the right stuff. There’s a sincerity and passion about them that is really inspiring."

"It was a wise person who first said, ‘It takes a village’," said Townsend, who worked with Zissimos during his agency days, when she was Managing Director of Headquarters and Guzman was Head of Production.  "Lucky for us, John is a village. There is nothing he lacks in creativity, intelligence, dedication and enthusiasm.  It’s rough out there right now, and just when you think it couldn’t get any harder – with John – it gets funny.  It’s always a joy to work with him."

Zissimos stated that his agency background has proved invaluable when engaging in collaborations with creative and production teams. "I know what its’ like to spend a year with one 30-second script and at the one-yard line hand it off to a director," he explained. "I know how hard that is so I try to make something good and bring to life these ideas. I love taking on new challenges and pulling a win out of a tough situation."

Taking on new challenges was the hallmark of Zissimos’ creative career, one in which he earned a reputation for helping to turn troubled brands around. Likewise, humor has always been a core ingredient. Beginning his career at TBWA/Chiat/Day, working on Nissan and other accounts, he shot and cut anything he could think of and get his hands on. He began making commercial spoofs for client meetings, films for new business pitches and most importantly learning the craft of directing from the inside out. Following five years at Chiat, Zissimos went on to successful tenures at Warwick Baker Fiore and JWT, where he did high-profile work for Heineken, Amstel Light, Lipton Brisk, Nestle and PG&E, and crafting hugely successful campaigns such as Amstel’s "A Light Beer for a heavy world" and Lipton’s "That’s Brisk, baby."

Zissimos left JWT to direct full time, but was quickly lured back into the business by McCann Erickson. He orchestrated a pitch on Mike’s Hard Lemonade, shooting a 9-minute film with a digicam and an empty bottle. The user-generated look and irreverent tone spawned a Mike’s Hard Lemonade campaign that ran for nearly three years, and put Zissimos in the directors chair. With 50 Mike’s commercials under his belt, another company came calling. This time it was not an agency, but a production company, Hungry Man. After a 16-year detour, Zissimos was finally a full-time director.

Now, at Fools and Horses, Zissimos believes he has come into his own. "Pursuing commercial directing is a humbling experience, especially in a trying economic climate," he said, "but it’s well worth the investment when you have wonderful support and a commitment to doing good work."

"John has a ‘big brain’," enthused Guzman of the director. "He is dedicated, passionate and extremely hard working. And on top of that he is a wonderful writer…and hilarious." Guzman added that Zissimos has a keen understanding of the business. "He understands how it’s changing – shrinking in the amount of jobs and money and reinventing itself through branded content," she said. "And he still loves it and wants to be a part of it."

Zissimos rounds out a Fools and Horses roster comprised of David Denneen, Fuzzi Galuzzi, Kai Sehr, Laurence Thrush, Francois Valla, and Erik Van Wyk.

Director Luis Gerard Joins Über Content

HOLLYWOOD, CA, March 20, 2009 – Über Content has signed director Luis Gerard for exclusive North American spot representation. He comes over from Great Guns USA. Gerard has directed international campaigns for Sprint, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, LG and VW, among others, and recently completed a Target campaign via Peterson/Milla/Hooks, MN. Gerard is currently at work on another Target assignment, his first with Über Content.

"The first thing you notice about Luis is that he brings a powerful cinematic signature to his work," said Partner/Executive Producer Preston Lee, who presides over Über with Partner/Executive Producer Phyllis Koenig. "From casting to locations to composition, there is always a storytelling motive to his shots." 

Entering the spot biz in 2000, Gerard immediately sought opportunities to bring scope and impact to the screen. In 2005, his spots for Gain "Airport," Ace "Karate," and Ragu "Father and Son" were all short-listed at Cannes that year. "Father and Son" snagged a Gold Shark at Kinsale and Ragu "Fingers" a Bronze. Gerard also earned inclusion in the 2005 Y&R Young Directors Showcase. "Some of my early commercials were for brands not known for strong visual work, but these were wonderful jobs that offered some great creative opportunities," he said.

Gerard has worked extensively around the world, helming projects via Euro/London, Saatchi/Sydney, Lowe/Bangkhok, and others. He recently shot a spot for Banco Popular via McCann-Erickson/Madrid, featuring Pao Gasol of the LA Lakers. Spot work in the States includes ads for Honda (RPA), Tropicana (Element 79), Target (Peterson/Milla/Hooks), Kelloggs (Leo Burnett/Chi), Lexus (Team One), and Trident (JWT/NY). The work has varied in tone and genre. "I like the challenge of doing different things," he said, "but, as a director, visual storytelling is by far the most enjoyable aspect for me."

Gerard, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and who still lives in San Juan, credits his father with instilling in him a deep love of cinema. "My father is an architect and was not afforded the freedom of attending film school," Gerard related, "so it was important to him to share this love with me and to offer me every opportunity to explore my talent." While he did not study film formally, Gerard and a college classmate made a short film, "Que Sera", that screened at the Venice Film Festival. "This was an experiment in storytelling without dialogue, in black and white," Gerard recalled. "As a follow-up, I wrote another short, that was all dialogue and in color."

A CD from top agency Eje/Puerto Rico saw that film and thought Luis could thrive in commercials. His first campaign for the agency was for Levi’s. "A small Levi’s campaign," Gerard mused. "But it led to a lot more work."  

More work, and the pursuit of greater challenges, are foremost in Gerard’s mind. "Preston has shown a lot of faith and passion and those are things that inspire me to take a step forward," he explained of the move to Über Content. "For me, it’s all about working with people who give you the opportunity to grow."

Gerard is represented in Spain by Group Films and in Mexico by Santos. He remains with Great Guns UK for work in that market. 

Based in Hollywood, Über is a multi-content production company established in January of 2006. Now representing numerous directors with diverse talents, Über Content has quickly become the new company to watch. Gerard rounds out a company roster comprised of Jordan Brady, Jeffrey Fleisig, Stewart Hendler, Jason Kohn, Dave Laden, and Marc Schölermann.

The Mae Shi May Set a Record at SxSW

AUSTIN, TX, March 19, 2009 – The Mae Shi – repped by music company Mophonics for original compositions and sync – is certainly making its presence felt at SxSW. 

Through its relationship with Mophonics, the band secured a prominent placement for fan fave track "Run To Your Grave," featured in the Berlin FIlm Fest’s "Crystal Bear-winning" self-inflicted comedy "My Suicide" ; the SxSW FIlm Festival marks the film’s North American debut.

Another Mae Shi track, "Party Steady," reworked by Yea Big+Kid Static, can be heard in Rockstar Games’ "Midnight Club LA."

What’s more, The Mae Shi is poised to set a new standard for "The Record Number of Legit Performances at SxSW (by a band with no tour support)"… The band has 17 – count em, 17 – genuine gigs lined up for the festival. 

The full list of appearances is included here (for those of you who are actually at the fest), and at press time the band had completed the first three of its scheduled performances. The run concludes March 22 at Beerland, at which time, we presume, the band will need a pint or two.

The Mae Shi have 15 showcases/shows, plus 1 MTV session performance, and 1 Black Cab performance totaling 17 performances in 4 days:

Mar 18 2009 SXSW Maggie Mae’s – Spaceland Party Austin, Texas

Mar 18 2009 SXSW Mohawk – Austinist/Ghotamist Party Austin, Texas

Mar 18 2009 SXSW Club 1808 – Moshi Moshi Party w/ Casiokids, Slow Club Austin, Texas

Mar 19 2009 SXSW TBA – Cory Plump Party Austin, Texas

Mar 19 2009 SXSW OK Mountain – KVRX Party w/ Mika Miko Austin, Texas

Mar 19 2009 SXSW Malverde – IAMSOUND Party w/ Telepathe Austin, Texas

Mar 19 2009 SXSW The Red House Pizzeria – Moshi Moshi Party Austin, Texas

Mar 19 2009 SXSW TBA – Lost In, Texas Party w/ Mika Miko, Anavan, HEARTSREVOLUTION Austin, Texas

Mar 20 2009 SXSW Emo’s (Outside) – Pitchfork Party Austin, Texas

Mar 20 2009 SXSW Habana Calle 6 – AAM Party w/ HEALTH Austin, Texas

Mar 20 2009 SXSW TBA – Myopenbar.com Party w/ Mika Miko, The Death Set Austin, Texas

Mar 21 2009 SXSW Mrs. Bea’s – Todd P Party Austin, Texas

Mar 21 2009 SXSW Domy Books – The Smell Party Austin, Texas

Mar 21 2009 SXSW Mohawk – Panache/Lovepump Showcase w/ Monotonix, HEALTH, Pre Austin, Texas

Mar 22 2009 SXSW Beerland w/ PRE, Mika Miko Austin, Texas

About The Mae Shi

Currently, there are six members of the Mae Shi: Brad Breeck, Jeff Byron, Tim Byron, Bill Gray, Jon Gray and Jacob Cooper. You are likely to only see four of us on stage at any given time, but the rest of us are lurking in the shadows. We’ve been told that "mae shi" means "business card" in Japanese. This is fitting, because the band is our business card. The band is our self-help vehicle, and as our personal goals change, our roles within the band change.

Amidst all of this change, some things are constants. What’s been done has been done, and it’s of little interest to us unless we can repackage it in a new and exciting way. The only option is to forge ahead, to try new things, to test out bad ideas, to all try to sing and work together and hope the road we’re on leads somewhere. It’s about the journey and the destination. This all sounds immensely airy but we believe it — at its core the rock and roll band is a surrogate family for our culturally extended childhood, it’s our self-help group, it’s our soap box, it’s a way to see what we’re really capable of. Growing up is tough. This is our attempt to grow up.

About Mophonics

Forward-thinking and firmly situated at the intersection of the music and advertising industries, Mophonics counts Wieden & Kennedy, BBH, TBWA/Chiat/Day, BBDO, McCann Worldgroup, and Goodby Silverstein & Partners among its agency clients and has created music-driven cobranding intiatives for Apple, Visa, Verizon, Scion, Wrigley’s, Axe, Nissan, TRESemmé, and more. Mophonics is the only company to create an original single, "Gimme That," for an Apple iPod campaign. Artist Zeroleen’s "All Good," has been featured in CSI: Miami, Weeds, Damages, multiple film trailers and ad campaigns for Verizon and 24Hr Fitness; the single also received airplay on specialty radio, retail outlets, and in-flight radio. Mophonics-produced band Four Fifty One was tapped to appear in The CW’s Veronica Mars and subsequently played a 40-gig sponsored tour for energy drink Upshot. Mophonics artist Joey Ryan has had tracks featured in Visa, Wrigley’s and Wendy’s ads, the Toronto Film Fest’s People’s Choice Winner "Bella," UNICEF’s Tap Project, and TV’s "One Tree Hill" and "Veronica Mars."

Jim Haygood Named Partner at Bicoastal Union

SANTA MONICA, CA, March 16, 2009 – Acclaimed feature, spot, and music video editor Jim Haygood has been named a Partner at Bicoastal Union. Haygood joined the company in March 2008, after completing his latest feature, "Where the Wild Things Are," directed by Spike Jonze, on which he shared editorial duties with colleague Eric Zumbrunnen. He has since cut spot projects such as the PlayStation MLB launch via Deutsch/LA, Range Rover via Y&R, Sprint’s "Instict" campaign (Goodby, Silverstein & Partners/SF), which screened in theatres nationwide, Capital One via DDB/Chicago, and Visa via TBWA/Chiat/Day.

"Jim is a true artist and no doubt one of the best editors in the business," said Union Partner/Executive Producer Michael Raimondi. "On top of that, he is also a terrific thoughtful guy who fit in here immediately. We have a lot of synergy between us personally whether it be bicycles, politics, Stephen Colbert or Advertising. He challenges me in ways that keep me excited about where we are going as a company and as a nation. Professionally, we hit the ground running with Jim and haven’t looked back. We are thrilled to have him here as a partner."

Haygood’s distinguished resume includes collaborations with pre-eminent spot and feature directors over the last twenty years. Working with David Fincher from the earliest days of their careers, for example, Haygood gained prominence as the editor of the feature "Fight Club," the award-winning Adidas "Legs" spot, and Madonna’s "Vogue" video.

"Union has all the pieces i was looking for in a commercial company," said Haygood, "excellent creative talent, complete facilities from offline through compositing and mixing…and perhaps most importantly, the respect and trust of clients who appreciate how union does business."

Haygood, formerly represented by Spot Welders, has described his career as "a single journey of interconnected disciplines" in which he has consistently vaulted between movies and spots. 

Haygood’s additional credits include notable spot projects for Jaguar and Miller Lite, as well as the films "The Astronaut Farmer," "Panic Room," and "The Game."

Union has offices in Santa Monica, CA, and New York City. The company launched its NY office in June 2008, with Partners/Editors Sloane Klevin and Geordie Anderson, and Executive Producer Caryn MacLean. Haygood rounds out a Union roster comprised of Nico Alba, Anderson, Einar, Jay Friedkin, Nicholas Wayman-Harris, Klevin, Nick Lofting, Adam Jenkins, and Paul Plew.

Mediascape Drives the 2009 Auto Show Circuit with New Technologies

DETROIT, MI, March 13, 2009 – Mediascape – a partner company of Universal Images dedicated to providing alternative marketing and technology solutions in the experiential marketplace – has been a powerful presence at this year’s A-circuit auto show venues with work for VW, GM and Mistubishi. The circuit includes venues in LA, Detroit, Chicago and New York.

"This year we were involved in a great deal of the interactive content at these major venues," said Mediascape President Howard Luby. "Even in the face of budget reductions, we were able to provide cost effective attractions that helped contribute personality and intrigue to displays that delivered in depth product information."

For the third consecutive year, show-goers experienced the in-car Caraoke system developed by Mediascape for Presentation Works, Exhibit Works, and VW. The system allows visitors to hop into an auto show car and share their "Caraoke" skills with the crowd and then with the world from a VW branded Web site along with Youtube. 

Additional VW attractions this year for ExhibitWorks included the "Simon" paint table, featuring touch-sensitive orbs, each painted a color available on a VW model. Responsive lights and audio cues play the Simon color-matching game, allowing up to 11 levels of pattern-matching complexity.

Mistubishi‘s visitor experience was enhanced by a trio of new tools for Presentation Works developed by Mediascape. First up was the Rockford Fosgate Visualizer. An audio demonstration system, the visualizer lets visitors pick any of five music genres to demonstrate the performance of an available premium sound system mounted on the display. The immersion is enhanced with the projection of a realtime music visualizer onto the round overhead canopy.

Next for Mitsubishi was a Color Touch Screen interface. This allows various Mitsubishi models to be previewed in each available color, and allows 360 degree interior and exterior views to be dragged on the screen.

Finally, there was Mistubishi Drive@Earth, also a touch screen interface enabling touch-sensitive tag lines to display more details.

To promote GM‘s new Chevy Volt, Burning Daylight and 24G worked with Mediascape to develop five interactive touch screen kiosks along with show control for a large, moderated LED wall.

Presenters narrate a presentation on the large LED that they control via a wireless iPod Touch, enabling them to launch select videos. They can even enter a zip code to roam around a realtime view of a Google satellite map showing the 40 mile "Green Zone" radius that the Volt can reach on a single charge. Visitors at each kiosk can also enter their zip codes into the live Google database to roam around their personal Green Zone, as well as navigate to numerous videos and animations that present key features and benefits of the car as described by various project leaders.

Mediascape also worked with Burning Daylight and 24G on additional touchscreen kiosks featuring interactive presentations about Cadillac’s Converj electric car.

AlphaDogs Provides Post for Oscar-Nominated ‘Encounters at the End of the World’

BURBANK, CA, February 22, 2009 – Leading Burbank post house AlphaDogs was chosen to provide post services for the critically acclaimed Werner Herzog feature doc, Encounters at the End of the World. "Encounters" has been honored with an Oscar® Nomination for Best Documentary Feature.

CEO & Founder of AlphaDogs Terence Curren said that the company "provided all online editing and color timing for this project in our Burbank facility. Our colorist Brian Hutchings was able to achieve exactly the look the client wanted in our newest color correction suite."

Brian Hutchings, AlphaDogs Colorist, added that color correction for "Encounters at the End of the World" was all done in house at AlphaDogs using the Apple Final Cut Studio Color package. "AlphaDogs installed Color along with the optional Tangent operator panels which really gives the feel of the Da Vinci System I’m used to," he explained. "Color worked throughout the sessions without fault and allowed us to achieve the exact look required."

Written, directed and narrated by Herzog for the National Science Foundation, Encounters is a never before seen glance at a hidden South Pole society. It documents the lives of 1,000 men and women living in close quarters in physically and psychologically challenging circumstances to further the goals of cutting edge science. The film exposes the psyches of this diverse clan while capturing the treacherous beauty of the Antarctic landscape and below water world.

In addition to its Academy Award nod, the film has been shown at numerous festivals and won Best Documentary at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and a Jury Mention at the Planet Doc Review Festival in Warsaw. "Encounters" was voted one of Time Magazine’s Top Ten Movies of 2008.

About AlphaDogs

Founded in 2002, Burbank-based AlphaDogs, Inc. quickly established themselves as leaders and innovators in the rapidly changing digital post arena. The company maintains an early adopters edge; testing and assimilating leading technologies to keep ahead of the pack with solutions such as the RED camera and were the first post house in Los Angeles to take delivery of the Avid Symphony HD editing system. Personal attention from a seasoned award-winning team assures client satisfaction accompanies each cost-effective delivery of superior post production services-from editing and audio re-recording to broadcast design & effects.

AlphaDogs is home to the popular Editors’ Lounge and headquarters of the growing media transfer specialty service Digital Service Station; now serving California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. AlphaDogs is located at 1612 West Olive, Suite 200, Burbank, CA 91506.

Visit the AlphaDogs team on the web: www.alphadogs.tv.

Gentlemen Ready to Roll with Bandito Brothers

LOS ANGELES, CA, February 20, 2009 – Gentlemen, the directing duo comprised of Brett Snider and Billy Federighi (l to r), has signed with Bandito Brothers for exclusive US spot representation. The directors are already helming their first assignment for the company: a Kraft Lunchables projects via Draft FCB Chicago, shooting on location in New Zealand.

The team entered the spot-making arena two years ago, winning ad contests for Doritos and Converse. Doritos "Mousetrap" aired during the Super Bowl XLII broadcast, ranking #4 on the famed USA TODAY Ad-Meter. Gentlemen has since directed projects for Kellogg’s (Leo Burnett/Chicago), Cici’s Pizza (Deutsch LA),  Hormel (BBDO), and Kentucky Lottery (Northlich). They also have been counted among shots‘ most promising new directors and earned inclusion the SHOOT New Directors Showcase. The duo comes over from Über Content.

"As soon as we saw the work, we saw the potential," said Bandito Brothers Executive Producer Jeff Rohrer. "They’re young guys who bring tremendous talent and enthusiasm to the party. We have deep experience and resources, and a background in building directors, so it’s a perfect fit."

With Gentlemen, Bandito Brothers – known for intense, in-camera action – expands it roster to include comedy. "We’re fired up by the fact that these guys do action," said Snider.  "The vibe is cool and exciting. We met with many companies – from new to well-established – and no one had this kind of energy. It’s easy to get excited about Bandito Brothers."

For Federighi, the Bandito Brothers’ stature in the action arena has huge appeal. "Being at this company allows us to be more than just comedy directors," he enthused. "We’re the solution for comedy at Bandito Brothers, and that holds us to a certain standard." He added that Gentlemen would love to team up with Bandito’s Mike "Mouse" McCoy and Scott Waugh on an action-comedy project. "How much fun would that be? And we’re not afraid to get our suits dirty for the right project."

After meeting at Columbia College Hollywood in 2005, Snider and Federighi appeared destined for separate lives: Snider behind the counter at Kinko’s and Federighi as a set P.A. for production companies such as VILLAINS and Smuggler (where he first met Rohrer). When the two decided to try their hand at directing, something clicked. As Gentlemen, they wrote, directed, and edited a 16mm spec for Converse. "The Original" won the brand’s worldwide contest and ran nationally. Doritos "Mousetrap" followed. 

When the directors were invited to screen their work for Chicago agencies DDB Needham and Leo Burnett, they were determined to stand out and parlay the screening into actual work. The guys constructed a wooden 2-foot by 2-foot diorama depicting themselves as centaurs perched atop snow-capped mountains. A recorded track related their long and arduous journey from the hinterland to Chitown. The stunt and the work made an impression and Leo Burnett came through with an opportunity: the agency gave Gentlemen a 50K budget to realize an animatic for Kelloggs as a test, a "live-a-matic," as Snider calls it. Gentlemen hit a home run with the project, and "Toothosaur" became a national commercial.

As the ad biz gears up for Game Day, the pair are garnering new accolades for last year’s appearance. Doritos "Mousetrap"will be profiled on CBS’ "Funniest Super Bowl Commercials" broadcast, and on Kevin Nealon’s "World’s Funniest Commercials" program on TBS.

In addition to Gentlemen, McCoy, and Waugh, the Bandito Brothers roster includes Jacob Rosenberg, and directing team Teton Gravity. Bandito Brothers is represented by Unique of Little Gypsy for special projects and on the West Coast. Kitty Monaghan and Kelly Halpine of Monaghan+Halpine rep the company in the Midwest.