International visual effects company Pixomondo has announced the opening of a new studio in Detroit, bringing its global network total to 13 facilities spanning three continents. Formed through the acquisition of boutique VFX company With A Twist, the new studio, now dubbed Pixomondo DTW, will focus on feature film, television and commercial work, handling both local and international projects.
With A Twist has a long-standing relationship with Pixomondo, as a sub-vendor on several feature film projects including The Amazing Spider-Man, Fast Five, Sucker Punch and Hugo, for which Pixomondo supervisors won the Academy Award® for Best Visual Effects. The updated Detroit facility will be fully integrated into Pixomondo’s global workflow. Pixomondo founder/CEO Thilo Kuther noted that talent is a key factor when considering new facility locations and in collaborating with With A Twist, their talent tuned out impressive work. This favorable experience laid the groundwork for their coming together on the launch of a Detroit studio.
“We were fortunate to have been so successful thus far and had reached the point where we needed to grow to remain competitive,” said David Burton, co-founder of With A Twist. “Pixomondo has already accomplished much of what we aspired to do, and done it well, so it was a natural progression to join into their team. Our cultures mesh well and the timing was right.”
With A Twist co-founder Pam Hammarlund added that linking with Pixomondo provides wherewithal to deal with a VFX industry that has become “a worldwide marketplace. It is a tremendous asset to have access to global resources.”
With extensive experience in the automotive industry creating visual effects for such companies as Audi, VW and MINI, Pixomondo is aptly suited for work in the Motor City. The Detroit location will enable the company to service clients locally while simultaneously working on other diverse projects for its other studios around the globe, including Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Berlin, L.A., Shanghai, Beijing, London, Munich, Burbank, Toronto, Hamburg and Baton Rouge.
Directors Amy+Pilar and Jose Antonio Prat Join Reform School
Boutique content production company Reform has added comedy directing duo Amy+Pilar (Amy York Rubin and Pilar Boehm) and award-winning multicultural director Jose Antonio Prat to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded entertainment.
Partners in both life and art, Amy+Pilar are know for their sharp wit and comedic timing. Their synchronicity is evident in a body of work across TV, film and commercials. Prior to joining Reform School, Amy+Pilar had been repped in the ad market by production company Knucklehead.
Amy has directed high-profile comedy sketches featuring stars like Amy Schumer, Kate McKinnon, and Sarah Silverman. On the episodic front, Amy has helmed for series such as Fresh Off the Boat, Casual, Superstore and Angie Tribeca--as well as the pilot for the hit Netflix comedy Dead to Me.
Before joining forces with Amy behind the camera, Pilar was a psychotherapist, a background that informs her ability to create fascinating characters and stage irresistible, nuanced performances. Amy and Pilar’s shared passion for comedy brought them together. Their collaboration began with a Synchrony Bank campaign, starring cult-comedy favorite Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics), and they went on to direct the pilot of the Hulu series Love, Victor. Amy+Pilar’s ad fare also includes spots for Uber’s “Go-Get” campaign and “Shift,” starring Martin Starr.
“We have been fans of Amy and Pilar for a long time,” said Ryan Ennis, executive director at Reform School. “They excel at capturing comedic performances and dialogue. Coming from the TV and L.A. comedy scenes, they’ve built a strong following and collaborated with some of our favorite funny people.... Read More