By SANDRA GARCIA
Bicoastal Curious Pictures has promoted Boo Wong to head the CGI department of the company’s New York operation. Wong replaced former CGI department head Tammy Walters, who left the company to pursue a career as a freelance producer in New York.
"With Boo’s skills as a digital artist, people skills, leadership, style and her potential to manage, she was a perfect fit for the position," said Curious Pictures executive producer/head of production Richard Winkler.
Wong joined Curious four years ago as an intern and moved up the ranks from digital artist to her most recent post as senior compositor and in-house visual effects supervisor. As a compositor, Wong created digital effects for such clients as Cap’N Crunch, Kraft, Wendy’s, Showtime and HBO.
In her new post, Wong will work with Winkler on both project budgeting and choosing artisans for jobs. In addition, Wong will be responsible for the overall operation of the CGI department, including scheduling, media flow, resource management and the evaluation and purchase of hardware and software, while managing 15 staff workers and a regular group of independent digital artists.
While Walters had brought a producer’s background to the position, Wong said she would approach her new role from an artist’s point of view. "When I look at a job, I think creatively speaking and technically speaking, how it can be made better and because I just got off the box, I can make decisions on what package and which artists would be best for each project," explained Wong. Although Wong’s input will now be completely on the advisory side, she said she may go back and dabble in creating animation herself from time to time.
Wong’s first assignment in her new role was to oversee a two-spot campaign for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese via Foote Cone & Belding, New York. "Cheese Surfing" and "Hip Hip Hooroni" were both directed by Curious’ Steve Oakes.
A native of Singapore, Wong came to the States to attend California State University, Fullerton, where she earned a degree in electrical engineering with an emphasis in computers. After realizing she was doomed to design smoke alarms for airline bathrooms, she came to New York to pursue an interest in modern dance and choreography. What was supposed to be a one-year diversion turned into eight years of choreographing original work for companies stateside and abroad. But Wong eventually saw the inevitable glass ceiling in the dance profession. "I knew dancers who were 50 years old and still struggling and my practical side didn’t want that. I had some severe computer skills and an art portfolio so I did some fast talking and finagled an internship at Curious and I have never looked back," concluded Wong.
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 Begert’s 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, “We are such fans of his work--and of him as a creator, thinker, collaborator, and great guy.”
“My creative approach is often about trying to discover something unexpected in the filmmaking process,” said Begert. “Biscuit 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 I’m excited to join their roster.”
“Jack’s work blew me away the moment I first saw it,” said Rupert Reynolds-Maclean, managing director at Biscuit Filmworks UK. “He 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. We’re looking forward to making great work together.”
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