Director/cameraman Christian Loubek has signed with bicoastal HKM Productions for exclusive spot representation in the U.S. Loubek also recently gained a Canadian repping roost via Circle Productions, Toronto and Vancouver, B.C.
During the past year, Loubek worked out of the Radisch Co., Seattle, of which he was a founding partner. (A native of Seattle, Loubek relocated to New York two weeks ago.) Through Radisch, Loubek shot and directed four spots for the Virginia Mason Medical Center via WongDoody, Seattle. The campaign features real people whose lives have been saved by the hospital’s integrated approach to healing (see SHOOT’s Creative Showcase, 6/23, p. 16).
This summer, Loubek helmed a series of promos for the Vancouver Film Festival via agency Bryant, Fulton & Shee, Vancouver, B.C. "French Subtitles," "Japanese Subtitles" and "Chinese Subtitles" feature scenarios that appear to be part of a foreign language film with English subtitles. However, something is lost in the translation, because the subtitles don’t clarify the action on the screen. The tag: "Sure there are subtitles. But don’t expect them to explain everything." The spots were run through Circle. The director’s first project since formally signing with that company a month ago was a campaign for BC Gas, also via Bryant, Fulton & Shee.
Prior to forming Radisch in early 2000, Loubek worked out of Seattle-based Evolution Engine Films, in which he was also partnered. During his two-year tenure there, he shot and directed "Physically, Mentally, Spiritually" for the Miami Heat via the Independent Branding Co., Miami. The spot features the Heat’s star players Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway, and coach Pat Riley as they gear up for a game and prepare themselves physically and emotionally.
Through Evolution Engine, Loubek additionally helmed numerous client-direct projects for Eddie Bauer, including the spots "Raft" and "Swim"—in which young people swim and frolic in a secluded river gorge—and an interactive CD-ROM. The latter was a "virtual catalog" which Loubek wrote, shot, directed and edited, and which was sold in Eddie Bauer stores during the ’99 holiday season. The project consisted of three interactive stories that revolve around people heading home for the holidays. Loubek has also directed client-direct ads and an interactive CD-ROM for Microsoft.
Via Seattle agency Hammerquist & Halverson, Loubek shot and directed "Transcript," a spot for Mountainzone.com, in which one mountain-climber coaches a second climber who appears to be in trouble midway through an icy mountain trek. While their conversation cannot be heard, the troubled man gets his wits back and continues his ascent. The super explains, "Transcript available on Mountainzone. com."
From ’92 to ’98, Loubek was partnered in Seattle-based Pravda, through which he shot and produced low-budget feature films and shorts. His credits as DP include The Tip, Solid State and The Shadows of Bob and Zelda. During that time, Loubek also line-produced The Man Who Counted. These films were mostly dark, quirky dramas that traveled the festival circuit and often generated interest within the advertising community. This exposure eventually led to his landing work as a commercial director/cameraman. One of Loubek’s first ad agency assignments came in ’96 via BBDO, Vancouver, B.C., for which he shot some promos for the ’96 Vancouver Film Festival. The spots featured Ken and Barbie dolls in scenes that spoofed such mainstream commercial films as Mission: Impossible and Strip Tease.
Loubek joins an HKM directorial roster that, in addition to founding partners Graham Henman and Michael Karbelnikoff, also includes Michele Civetta, Michael Patrick Jann, Jordan Brady and Richard Sears. HKM’s executive producer is Lisa Margulis.
HKM is repped by Los Angeles-based Charlie McBrearty on the West Coast; New York based Michael Arkin on the East Coast; and Chicago-based Renee Case in the Midwest. McBrearty and Arkin are recent additions to the HKM sales force. Arkin succeeds New York-based Stenz & Miller. McBrearty, who comes over from bicoastal Anonymous, replaces Alex Madero, who left to pursue other creative interests.
