Supercell and Barton F Graf launched an animated film, produced by House Special, for Supercell’s Boom Beach that features the game’s original villain, Lt. Hammerman, who leads the Blackguard Army.
Barton created the film about Hammerman’s loneliness and search for friends with the only logical solution: a big, animated song and dance number complete with over the top dance routine, flamethrowers and the singing voice of a Broadway star.
The film launched to promote Supercell’s new in-game feature that lets players design bases for Lt. Hammerman called the Blackguard Base builder. But why would players want to design bases for the very army they’re supposed to defeat? And why would Lt. Hammerman invite players to help him? Because the life of an evil super villain is super lonely, that’s why.
Kirk Kelley of House Special directed “It’s Lonely At The Top.”
Credits
Client Supercell/Boom Beach Agency Barton F Graf Production/Animation House Special, Portland, Ore. Kirk Kelley, creative dir./director; Karly Richter, producer; Lourri Hammock, exec producer; Cam Wiliams, editor; Rex Carter, Flame artist; Tim Price, storyboard artist; Alan Cook, environment designer, matte painter; Greg Kyle, animation lead; Beavan Blocker, Josh Look, animators; Karl Richter, VFX lead; Patrick VanPelt, TD; Kendra Phillips, modeling artist; Nikie Monteleone, texture artist, set dresser; Jose Diaz, set dresser/VFX; Matt Reslier, Isaiah Palmer, ltg. aratists; John Lally, rigger; John Corbett, compositor. (Toolbox: Maya, Nuke, Houdini, Mari, Flame, Photoshop, Shotgun). Music Butter Music & Sound Andrew Sherman, composer; Kristin Kuriashi, producer; Ian Jeffreys, exec producer. Audio Post Heard City Evan Mangiamele, engineer.
The Ad Council, partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and AdoptUSKids, launched a public service campaign, created pro bono by Edelman, which aims to inspire prospective parents to consider adopting a teen from foster care.
This centerpiece PSA titled “The Rewards”--directed by The Hudson Dusters (Michael Kuhn and Niles Roth) via Greenpoint Pictures--spotlights real adoptive families who have personally experienced the mutual benefits of adoption. This longer form PSA (and cutdown versions) begins with a touching display of openness and vulnerability as adoptive parents reflect on their adoption journeys and their initial questions and hesitations about adopting a teen. Then, in a deeply emotional turn, the adoptive parents witness their children recounting the profound rewards of adoption in their lives. The teens speak of the love they share with their parents and how the decision to become a family is reciprocal. The campaign directs viewers to the AdoptUSKids website to learn more about adopting a teen from foster care.
