Taking a figurative page from Lord of the Flies, this :30 entitled "Frogs" for the Exploratorium science museum in San Francisco is full of bugs. House flies literally fill the TV screen and the sound of buzzing is inescapable. It’s enough to perhaps even prompt some viewers to reach for a can of insect spray, a flyswatter or at least a rolled-up newspaper.
Then a mysterious noise is heard that sounds like a cross between slurping and swallowing. Steadily, the number of flies and that annoying buzzing diminishes. Finally, we’re down to one single, solitary fly. At that point, we see a tongue flash across the screen and grab the fly, leaving our TV screen blank and silent for a brief, lovely moment. It’s clear at this point, of course, that the tongue belongs to a frog, one of several whom we can thank for their pest control prowess. A frog then appears on screen, leaping through the "O" of the ExplOratorium logo as a voiceover explains that frogs are coming to the science venue and it’s an exhibit you won’t want to miss.
Flame artist/compositor Ron Atik of Jump Ship Studios, San Francisco, used the Flame to duplicate flies on the screen. He also created the effect of the frog jumping through the logo.
The spot was directed and shot by Lou Weinart of The Washburn Company, San Francisco. Jane Washburn executive produced for The Washburn Company.
"Frogs" was conceived by a creative ensemble from San Francisco agency Zuckerman Fernandes & Partners. Al Fernandes was the creative director. Sheila Guinto and Mark Hohenschau were the art director and writer, respectively. And Wictoria Markula served as agency producer.
Offline editor/sound designer was Mike Murray of Jump Ship Studios. He was backed by a Jump Ship team that also included executive producer Susan Conklin and assistant editor Des Carey. Atik was the online editor, with Mac graphics and title design by Jump Ship’s Ray Penezic. Colorist was Gary Coates of Western Images, San Francisco.
Audio mixer was Eric Eckstein of One Union Recording Studios, San Francisco. The :30-with :15 and :10 lifts-aired in the San Francisco area from February through March.
-Millie Takaki
Director Jack Begert Joins Biscuit For His First Commercial Representation In U.S. & U.K.
Biscuit Filmworks has added filmmaker Jack Begert to its roster in the U.S. and U.K. This marks Begertโs first representation in advertising, building upon his acclaimed work in music video and film. He is best known for his striking aesthetic and surreal use of visual effects, displayed in his feature film debut Little Death, which won the NEXT Innovator Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The film stars David Schwimmer, Gaby Hoffman, Dominic Fike, and Talia Ryder, and was produced by Darren Aronofsky.
Miami-born and L.A.-based, the USC Film School graduate began his career in VFX and as an editor. Begert has worked with iconic musical artists including Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Flying Lotus, Childish Gambino, and Olivia Rodrigo, and has independently directed international campaigns for brands such as Apple, Converse, New Era, and Reebok.
Shawn Lacy, founding partner of Biscuit Filmworks, said of Begert, โWe are such fans of his work--and of him as a creator, thinker, collaborator, and great guy.โ
โMy creative approach is often about trying to discover something unexpected in the filmmaking process,โ said Begert. โBiscuit is a place where I can bring my own perspective to the work and still feel supported. That philosophy is clear from the talent they represent, and Iโm excited to join their roster.โ
โJackโs work blew me away the moment I first saw it,โ said Rupert Reynolds-Maclean, managing director at Biscuit Filmworks UK. โHe is a modern young director who clearly cares deeply about both craft and the necessity for it in his storytelling. Everything always pushes the narrative forward. Weโre looking forward to making great work together.โ
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