TWC, Santa Monica, has signed director Justin Klarenbeck for exclusive spot representation. Klarenbeck is known for his expertise in visual effects and in working with on-camera talent. He also has a reputation in the automotive ad arena with credits for such clients as Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and General Motors.
For the latter’s Sierra truck out of Lowe Worldwide, New York, Klarenbeck helmed “Big Dig,” which shows the vehicle traveling through a construction site of larger than life proportions. The commercial showcases the director’s affinity for meshing live action and visual effects.
Klarenbeck has also successfully diversified beyond vehicular fare. His San Miguel spot for Young & Rubicam, Barcelona, spoofs the running of the bulls in Pamplona as buffaloes chase New Yorkers through the streets of Manhattan. Other recent Klarenbeck endeavors include a campaign for True Valley via agency MARC USA, Pittsburgh, in which a couple’s black-and-white house paints itself in vibrant colors, and a Pacific Life spot out of Kovell Fuller, Los Angeles, that depicts marathon runners racing through city streets as the image of a whale swims across nearby buildings. The whale is Pacific Life’s brand identity mascot.
Klarenbeck first came into prominence at Dream Quest Images, a studio that contributed to visual effects for such films as Total Recall and The Abyss. He later joined other Dream Quest staff members in forming DQ Films and through it got his start in directing commercials. (Dream Quest eventually was bought by and incorporated into Disney.)
In subsequent years, Klarenbeck directed via such commercial production houses as bicoastal Fahrenheit Films, t minus 30 films (now Boxer Films), Los Angeles, and most recently Space Program, Universal City, Calif.
He joins a TWC directorial roster that consists of Suthon Petchsuwan, Brian Baderman, Deavid Jellison, Michael Fueter, Trevor Cornish, George Jecel, Jeff France, Seamus Masterson, Martin Brierley and Elliot Hegarty.
Klarenbeck said a prime factor attracting him to TWC was company partner/executive producer Mark Thomas, whom he met several years ago. The director cited Thomas’ extensive track record in helping to shape and build directors’ careers.
