Deploying her signature style of animation using colored salt manipulated on a black canvas by a condor feather, director Aleksandra Korejwo of Acme Filmworks, Hollywood, has wrapped “Musical Journey,” one of four spots in a campaign promoting the Chickasaw Nation’s Riverwind Casino in Norman, Okla., out of agency Ackerman McQueen, Dallas.
We see a female singer give way to an image of a guitar player, the heart and spade suits of playing cars, and a procession of musicians on their instruments, ranging from a drummer to a saxophonist to a guitarist. Each spot in the campaign mixes varied animated elements depicting icons of the gaming/casino world–music, playing cards, and in some cases, poker chips, slot machines and cocktails. This array of uniquely animated colored sand images then conclude with the appearance of a logo for the Riverwind Casino, accompanied by the slogan, “Be Swept Away,” a most appropriate motto from a production standpoint in that it also applies to the sand being swept around, morphing from one image to the next.
Korejwo’s support team at Acme included executive producer Ron Diamond, co-exec producer Gwynn Adik, producer Pernille D’Avolio, production manager Lita E.R. O”Donnell, head of digital operations Michael O’Donnell and lead compositor Scott Coleman.
The Ackerman McQueen creative ensemble consisted of chief creative officer David Lipson, senior art director Rob Neatherlin, senior producer Tom Twomey and producer Magen Fuller.
Acme’s George Khair was offline editor/post supervisor. Audio mixer/sound designer was Jason Bushore of Ackerman McQueen’s Oklahoma City office. Music arranger/composer was Todd Gauthreaux of Ackerman McQueen, Dallas.
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More