Up-and-coming Director Mike Roberts of Envision Media Arts (EMA) is in the midst of a series of innovative projects, including a brand-new commercial campaign for Fandango. Featuring the signature animation of Roberts, the initial campaign launched this summer and is sure to have a long shelf life for the popular online movie web site.
To view the new Fandango campaign, go here: https://vimeo.com/63773429
Says Adam Rockmore, VP of Marketing for Fandango: “Mike Roberts is the kind of Director who is passionate about his projects, big or small. He loves to collaborate on a good story, no matter what. And that’s why he is a great fit for us.”
Additionally, Director Mike Roberts is in the midst of a new project for Comedy Central called “Triptank” through Shadowmachine (of “Robot Chicken” fame”). Roberts notes that his long-term collaborations with Fandango, as well as Comedy Central this year have been great. “It’s not often that you get the opportunity to work with such well-known brands on their creative campaigns,” says the Director. “With both clients, they have allowed me the creative freedom to apply my talent to two very different, but really exciting projects.”
“Mike has been an extremely easy Director for EMA to get excited about,” comments Andrew Halpern, EP/President of Commercial Production, well-known throughout the industry for his ability to find and groom new talent. “Above all, Mike is an amazing story-teller. His process is first about character definition and development, then plot and dramatic or comedic structure. And only then, about the proper medium in which to weave the tale.”
“All of Mike’s projects, in both the short- and long-format have always been stellar in their creative resolution,” adds Lee Nelson, President and CEO of EMA, who collaborates closely with Halpern on the company’s commercial division. “Mike’s Fandango campaign is yet another example of his great gift. He is at the very beginning of his path through our world; and we are excited to be journeying along together.”
Bio: Director Mike Roberts
Like some of the very best storytellers, Michael Roberts found his calling as a kid when his raconteur Irish born/GM Mechanical Engineer father told him complicated, textured and dream-inducing bedtime stories. As a student, Mike was self-fed on a diet of comic books (yes, “The Rocketeer” is his favorite) with Zemeckis and Spielberg film chasers. This may explain why Roberts’ current artistic voice of choice has become animation. Says Roberts, “Animation allows me to be uncompromising in how I choose to tell you a story. I am never bound by scope in either direction as I can make my vista, palate and character as big or small as I want. Software is the key to get over the limitations of traditional technique.” As a Director, Mike likes creating commercials because they present a challenge in telling an enthusiastic story via a journey of abandonment. He feels that every story/product demands its own voice; and technique offers almost infinite paths to how to best tell it. He has directed spots for Honda and Burger King, assorted music videos and long-format projects. He is in long-format development with several of his story ideas. Mike and his actress wife Bree Williamson (“One Life to Live,” “Gossip Girl” and “Haven”) have a little boy who they now carry the bedtime story tradition with. By way of Toronto, New York, London and Oxford; Mike lives and weaves his stories in a converted garage in West Los Angeles where he is surrounded by art, music, theater, literature, film and love.
About Envision Media Arts (EMA)
Founded by President & CEO Lee Nelson in 2002, Envision Media Arts (EMA) is a film, television and commercia
