Eight VFX, the New York and Los Angeles-based visual effects, design and production studio, has named Abbe Daniel as the new executive producer for its New York office. In addition, the studio has named Carolyn Hill and Amanda Rosenberg of Carolyn Reps to handle sales on the East Coast. The appointments were announced by Eight VFX’s partners, creative director Jean-Marc Demmer and managing director Baptiste Andrieux.
Daniel joins Eight VFX from Leroy & Clarkson, the brand design and identity boutique in New York. She’s held key positions at production companies and agencies, specializing in the production of digital ad campaigns, visual effects work and experiential installations. Prior to Leroy & Clarkson, she was an EP at the experiential studio Fake Love, and has held EP/MD or sr. producer posts at such studios as Digital Kitchen, Curious Pictures, Click 3X and R/GA.
In her new position Daniel will play several key roles in the New York office; in addition to acting as both EP and general manager, she’ll oversee sales and marketing and is in the process of recruiting and hiring an experienced creative team, with plans to add additional VFX supervisors, CG supervisors, 2D and 3D lead compositors, designers and other key contributors.
Currently Eight handles a range of work, including commercials for such brands as Target, Pandora, Puma, Ram Trucks, New York Lottery, Call of Duty, Honda and Perrier. The studio has partnered with such directors as Craig Gillespie, Michel Gondry, Noam Murro, Tom Kuntz, and Michael Gracey.
The studio also has extensive feature credits, and provided VFX for the soon-to-be-released “I, Tonya,” directed by Gillespie. Eight’s New York office was the sole effects studio on this picture, completing over 200 shots delivered in under four months. They’ve also worked on films like “Beasts of No Nation” for Cary Fukunaga, “Knight & Day” for James Mangold, “Mother” for Darren Aronofsky, “Hostage” for Florent Emilio Siri and Gillespie’s 2014 sports drama, “Million Dollar Arm.”
Eight VFX has branched into episodic television as well, working on the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things 2” and “The Orville,” the sci-fi comedy from “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane. For the latter, the studio turned around over 120 shots in under four weeks. “They tapped into our strengths for large digital matte paintings, set extensions and photoreal CG,” Daniel said about their work.
The main focus of growing Eight VFX’s presence in New York, Daniel added, will be to continue to build on their current relations, both with directors and production houses, as well as with agencies and brands. “We’re also expanding our design and development and mixed media services for all of our clients across the board,’ she noted. “Our goal is to help clients achieve their visions and meet their objectives, so all touchpoints across all platforms will be important.”
Said Shira Boardman, EP in Eight’s L.A. office, “I’m excited to have a true partner in Abbe. She’s tuned in to the details of how to bring the right elements together to support and improve a job, and she’s a great problem-solver with so many creative resources to tap. I’m confident we’ll be able to build a bigger and better Eight, together.”
Naming Carolyn Reps to handle sales reunites Daniel with Carolyn Hill, who repped Curious Pictures when Daniel was a senior producer at that storied animation and mixed media studio.
The Many Hires Jeremiah Wassom As Group Creative Director
Independent agency The Many has added Jeremiah Wassom as group creative director.
Wassom most recently worked a decade at Deutsch LA where, as SVP/creative director, he led the Taco Bell account and won new business for the agency. His agency past also includes AKQA and TBWAChiatDay. His creative work has touched the QSR, video games, automotive, fashion, and culture brand sectors. He also served eight years with the United States Marine Corps.
“Throughout his career, Jeremiah has helmed work that has not only made me personally jealous but has consistently pushed brands to show up in memorable and innovative ways,” said Josh Paialii, head of creative at The Many. “One look at his body of work and you will see his passion for storytelling and craft has raised the bar for entire categories, driving participation with many brands’ most loyal fans. Beyond being a world-class creative director and maker, Wassom is a proven team player and strategic thought leader. He’ll be a great addition to the leadership team at The Many working across all accounts. His role will be immediately felt as he guides and supports each of the creative leads in the department.”
A 20-year creative with agency, brand, and freelance experience, Wassom has forged a creative approach which focuses on crafting engaging connections rather than simply make ads. He sees the need for advertising to mean more, not simply do more.
The Many believes that true business growth is made possible by harnessing the power of participation and partners with brands to forge deeper connections with consumers, cultivate trust and loyalty, and maximize marketing spend and execution. The agency is built around a flexible model that offers a suite of capabilities, including... Read More