Moondog Films has launched a division dedicated to producing long-form content. The new venture opens with David Godin as its first roster director, with Rasha Clark hired to lead the division as head of content. Additionally, Clark has been named executive producer of Moondog VFX, the visual effects arm of the overall MOONDOG, a collective of five integrated divisions (Creative, Films, Edit, VFX and Music) that offer agencies and clients a concept through completion creative, production, postproduction, music and audio resource. Announcement of the developments was made by MOONDOG partners Pete Kasko and Bernadette Quinn, and EP/director of business development Sophie Gold.
Godin said his new roost is open to varied projects, exploring “everything from TV series to features” in addition to working on longer format fare for agencies and brands. Godin came up through the production ranks and approaches his work with a visually driven cinematic look. He directs docu-style work that focuses on authentic, human stories, shot in a way that blurs the lines between documentary and narrative filmmaking. His showreel includes projects for clients such as American Express, Ford, Pepsi, Avon and others, shooting for agencies like 360i, adam&eveDDB, BBDO, Digitas and Team Detroit. His branded music spot for AT&T, “We Need Love,” won First Place in the MOFILM Cannes Lions competition in 2014.
The director also works extensively with recording artists, and feels the Moondog Films content division presents great opportunities to connect brands with music. He’s directed content for Webster Hall, the iconic New York concert venue, and for the Japanese instrument manufacturer Yamaha. Currently he’s finishing a documentary about a young Japanese soul singer whose performance at a major R&B festival outside Washington, D.C. represented the first time an Asian artist was invited to perform.
“My intentions as a filmmaker and creator for brands and advertisers are to generate content that promotes and benefits our underrepresented and minority populations,” Godin added. “I strongly believe the future of content is rooted in multiculturalism, and that it’s our responsibility as content creators to enlighten audiences with stories that promote less mainstream perspectives. It was so encouraging during my meeting with Pete when he looked me in the eye and said, ‘David, I want to create work that’s going to make a better world for my kids.’ That’s when I knew we were kindred spirits.”
Clark was born and raised in Bahrain, moved to New York in the late ‘90s and worked at a variety of offbeat jobs before landing in advertising production. She’s worked at some of the city’s best-known editorial and VFX studios, having launched her career at Blink VFX before moving on to Red Car. She also spent four years as EP at the post house Goodpenny, her most recent staff position prior to joining Moondog. During her career she’s handled projects for brands like Nike, Calvin Klein, Revlon, McDonald’s, Under Amour and Revlon.
“Everyone at Moondog is very supportive of how David and want to grow the division,” Clark said. “We’re creating our own content and planning an expansion into Asia, which is an area I’ve wanted to explore for some time.”
