Hybrid production company Global Mechanic Media’s director duo HANDCRANKED, recently completed a stop motion sequence as part of a “American Dad” show. A hysterical insert to the show, HANDCRANKED designed, built and animated in the “Rankin- Bass” style. As one of the few stop-motion teams still doing commercial work, HANDCRANKED was the natural choice to get the call from the Fox producers.
The scene is a humorous re-telling of the story of the first Thanksgiving told by Stan. The story begins like we remember learning in school, Pilgrims crossing the Atlantic and meeting the friendly natives- but his take on how it ends is, well, just as you imagine Stan might believe. The final work can be seen at AMERICAN DAD.
Recent work for Global Mechanic Media includes: interactive campaign work for Bensimon Byrne for Scotia Bank, web work for Copper Penny Flowers, television spots for Nestle and Delissio Pizza, BC Hydro, and Epcor. Drawings an award winning PSA for Stand: raising awareness for the war in Darfur; Bust it or Believe it- the first interactive YouTube campaign with Leo Burnett for Silk Soy Milk; Season 5 for the Emmy Award winning PBS TV show FETCH with Ruff Ruffman, as well as the PBS web property, based on Annie Leonard’s sustainability content, LOOP Scoops. Bruce Alcock’s short film Vive La Rose was recently in competition at the Sundance Film Festival and was named one of the top ten films at Toronto International Film Festival. In addition, Bruce Alcock’s has just begun pre production on his most recent film Impromptu co-produced with the NFB.
About Global Mechanic Media
Global Mechanic Media (www.globalmechanic.com) is a boutique trans-media production company with years of experience and considerable expertise in all aspects of advertising & marketing, entertainment, communication and problem solving. We operate as an integrated studio dedicated to creating content in any medium and are built as a digital laboratory working to formulate effective communications and solutions that are intriguing and create demand. We are creative thinkers who work in all mediums to make interesting media and are masters at telling stories and solving visual problems. Our expertise at the intersection of marketing and entertainment inspires us to think beyond the limits of the page, the site, the banner and the URL. Regardless of format, we design rich user experiences that create value for the brand and it is our deep knowledge of user experience that ultimately informs the nature of all of our creative.
HANDCRANKED is known for rich, textured design that blends mixed-media techniques like stop-motion, treated live action, miniatures, compositing, and experimental filmmaking. Clients include Sesame Street, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Samsung, HBO, NBC, ESPN, The Sundance Channel and the Truth Campaign. Bryan Papciak & Jeff Sias first worked together at Olive Jar Studios in Boston, directing for clients like the Cartoon Network, Samsung, NBC and 7-11. In addition to their commercial and short film work, Bryan & Jeff are currently making a feature documentary entitled “American Ruins”.
Founded in 2000 by animation veteran Bruce Alcock, GM has produced commercials, TV shows, websites, films, games, installations, interactive experiences, print, package design and original photography. Based in Vancouver, Canada, our premier facility is world class and staffed with the best creative staff and all the coolest gear imaginable. Clients include Bell, Coca-cola, Nestlé, BMW, Unilever, Hershey and Kraft, for agencies including Grey, Leo Burnett, Ogilvy and BBDO. We have worked with broadcasters including PBS, Cartoon Network, and the CBC. In addition to commercial work, the studio is always collaborating with the theatre, dance, educators and architects. Film projects include award-winning shorts and features in all genres.
Global Mechanic Media is represented in Canada by Hesty Reps. On the East Coast of the US by Schaffer/Rogers, and in the mid-west and west coast by Liz Laine Reps.
