Visual Effects Veteran Finds A New Home After R/GA Closes.
By Sandra Garcia
David Elkins has joined Spontaneous Combustion, New York, as a visual effects supervisor/senior Inferno artist. Elkins was formerly senior digital effects editor/Flame artist/effects supervisor at R/Greenberg Associates (R/GA), the now defunct spot division of R/GA Digital Studios (R/GA-DS), New York, that officially closed in January (SHOOT, 11/26/99, p.1).
Elkins’ final projects at R/GA included a spot for Dentyne Ice called "Fire Escape," directed by Steve Horn of Steve & Linda Horn, New York, out of Bates USA, New York; Fairmont Hotels’ "Landscape," directed by Klaus Obermeyer of bicoastal Flying Tiger Films, via Harrod & Mirlin/ FCB, Toronto, and Foote, Cone & Belding, New York; and a two-minute corporate film for General Motors called "Future," helmed by R/GA director Harry Dorrington through DMB&B, Troy, Mich.
At his new post, Elkins will work as an Inferno artist as well as expand the shop’s business by bringing in clients he’s worked with in the past. "David has a reel that people instantly look at and think he’s a very credible guy," said Spontaneous Combustion executive director/creative director Tony Robins.
Elkins spent nine years at R/GA, where he started as a production assistant in the digital post department cutting reels. "Over the years I began doing the same kind of jobs that I’m doing now, but the work just kept getting better," explained Elkins.
During his tenure at R/GA, Elkins was credited with working on complex visual effects jobs, such as Samsung’s "Daddy Says" via the Total Image Group, New York, which featured a dancing baby, and Oldsmobile’s "Caught Their Eye" out of Leo Burnett Co., Chicago, wherein the Statue of Liberty picks up and admires the new Oldsmobile Aurora.
Elkins joins a Spontaneous Combustion staff that also includes Flame/ Inferno artists Adam Gascoyne and David Reynolds, and design director Fabrice Maurel. Sales representation is handled in-house by general manager/executive producer Marc Schwartz.
Franklin Leonard and The Black List To Receive 2024 Gotham Awards Anniversary Tribute
Franklin Leonard and his company, the Black List, the platform dedicated to nurturing written storytelling and empowering writers to maximize their professional potential, will receive The Gotham Anniversary Tribute at the 34th annual Gotham Awards ceremony, taking place on Monday, December 2, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
The Anniversary Tribute was created by The Gotham Film & Media Institute in order to recognize the major milestones and storied commitments of entertainment’s most influential individuals. With the Anniversary Tribute, The Gotham will honor the 20th anniversary of the Black List, which has been dedicated to identifying and celebrating exceptional storytelling since it was first established by Leonard in 2005. Most recently, Mariska Hargitay received the Anniversary Tribute at the inaugural Gotham TV awards for her outstanding run on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
“With the Black List, Franklin Leonard has undeniably reshaped Hollywood by elevating talented writers and remarkable projects. His commitment to nurturing emerging screenwriters and lowering barriers to entry for talent is one that resonates deeply with The Gotham and our values,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham Film & Media Institute. “So many of Hollywood’s most beloved films, such as Juno, Slumdog Millionaire, and The King’s Speech, were all given a singular platform by the annual Black List that helped them get made. We are honored to present Franklin and the Black List with the Anniversary Tribute.”
First established as an annual survey of Hollywood’s most-liked unproduced screenplays, the Black List has since grown into a comprehensive resource for the film, TV,... Read More