Director/cameraman Leroy Koetz and director John Zurik have signed with New York-headquartered DC3 Films.
Koetz was represented by Barracuda Films, Chicago, for the last nine months. Prior to that, he was represented for over a decade through his production company, Koetz & Co., Chicago. Koetz & Co. will remain open but will produce only non-commercial projects.
Zurik’s last significant representation in the States was through now defunct Partners’/ USA, a relationship that lasted from the late ’80s to ’95. Zurik was represented in Canada by The Partners’ Film Co., Toronto, during the same period until he signed with Toronto-based Avion Film Productions in ’95. The majority of Zurik’s recent work-both in the States and in Canada-has been through Avion, which will still represent Zurik in Canada. In addition to DC3, the Dallas-based Zurik is represented by E. Parsons & Co., Austin, in the Texas area. Zurik was represented by Setterholm Productions, Minneapolis, from the mid ’80s to the early ’90s.
Wayne Chrystal, DC3’s VP/ executive producer, stated that, along with DC3 president/ tabletop director Gary Perweiler, DC3 could now perform all aspects of any job that either Zurik or Koetz work on. "Gary is happy to do the tabletop portion of any spot that these guys shoot," said Chrystal.
Koetz
Chrystal related that Koetz’s strengths were "not only with professional talent, but he does a lot of real people stuff. He can really pull reactions out of people." Koetz explained that he liked "a very realistic, reality-based humor." Koetz added that he DPs 60% of the spots he directs and said that he signed with DC3 to "expand my horizons and get into other markets."
Koetz has had a decade-plus relationship with Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble and has directed over 80 spots in the company’s Cheer campaign via Leo Burnett Co., Chicago. That work-which infuses the traditionally bland product demo genre with a droll wit-was produced by Koetz & Co. and has amassed multiple awards over the years, including a Gold Lion at Cannes in ’88. The P&G relationship led to international directing duties for the company’s other products, including spots for Ariel detergent via Saatchi & Saatchi, Rome. The director’s work also includes spots for Miller Lite via Leo Burnett.
Koetz’s recent credits include "Get a Date," an ad for Cricket Wireless via The Johnson Group, Chattanooga, Tenn., produced by Koetz & Co., and GBC Shredmaster’s "The House," via Jordan Tamraz Caruso Advertising, Chicago. That spot was produced by Barracuda Films.
Koetz is currently editing Hotel Soap, a short film he wrote and directed, that is based on a series of letters written back and forth between a hotel clerk and a former guest of the hotel.
Zurik
Zurik and Chrystal worked together at Setterholm as director and New York sales rep, respectively. Zurik said that part of the reason he signed with DC3 was because of his good working relationship with Chrystal. The director added that with the DC3 signing, he hoped to secure a more solid base of representation in the U.S.
Zurik, who excels at physical humor, sight gags and comedic timing, packs his spots with detail and uses somewhat mystifying beginnings to engage his audience’s attention. "You can discover things as you get more familiar with the spot, and of course that means lots of texture, lots of detail," Zurik said. "I think a simple concept is wonderful, but once you spring the gag, it can get pretty stale if you don’t have this other stuff buried in there to keep people intrigued."
Recent credits for Zurik include the Avion-produced "Restaurant" and "Speaker," slapstick spots for slacks maker Savane via McGarrah/Jessee, Austin, Texas. Zurik also shot "Bullfighter" and "Torturer" for St. Louis-based Player’s Island Casino via Marshall Fenn Communications, Toronto, and "Ledge" a humorous spot for the Houston Rockets out of GSD&M, Austin, Texas, and produced by E. Parsons.
A series of short spots that Zurik directed in ’89 for retailer Snyder’s via Martin/Williams Advertising, Minneapolis, won awards that same year, including a Clio and a London D&AD award. More recently, Zurik won a Best of Show at the most recent ADDYs in Austin, Texas, for "Willie Nelson," a spot promoting Texas-based Frost Bank via McGarrah/Jessee, and produced by E. Parsons.
In addition to Perweiler, Zurik and Koetz, DC3’s other director is Richard Goldstone. The company’s reps are Michael Coronado on the West Coast, Ilene Silberman on the East Coast, and Elizabeth Mang in the Midwest.
