Director Matt Ogens–who made his first major ad industry mark back in 2005 when he was included in SHOOT‘s New Directors Showcase as well as Y&R New York’s Young Guns emerging directors showcase–has joined the roster of Tool of North America. He comes over from Rabbit.
Since his initial showcase splash, Ogens has gone on to shape a career spanning multiple disciplines: assorted commercials; the well received feature-length documentary Confessions of a Superhero (centered on the dreams of stardom and backstories of Hollywood Blvd. street performers who portray costumed comic book superheros); Toyota’s third season of The Line of Scrimmage, the documentary shorts series from Saatchi & Saatchi LA that appeared during halftime of NBC’s Sunday Night Football; a web docu short series True Stories for Hitachi and McCann Erickson, San Francisco; and television fare such as ESPN series Timeless, which received two Sports Emmy nominations (he had earlier done ESPN’s The Life), segments from the awards show CNN Heroes, and sequences of a Victoria’s Secret fashion show for CBS.
Among Ogens’ other notable projects was being selected by the Red Cross as one of a handful of filmmakers assigned to document the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and Rita in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. He shared his experiences on that job with SHOOT‘s readership in an October ’05 column titled “Gulf Coast Diary,” a moving account which resonates to this day as the fifth year anniversary of Katrina and Rita is nearly upon us. More recently. Ogens documented the behind-the-scenes goings on at the Hope For Haiti Now telethon.
Ogens’ filmmaking chops were evident prior to his becoming known in the ad biz in ’05. While a student a Tulane University, he directed and produced Ray of Hope, a documentary principally shot behind the walls of the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Ogens went on to also direct the documentary Harvest which was released in ’01, and a VH-1 pilot, Players, profiling hip-hop artist Ludicris in ’03.
Prior to Rabbit, Ogens’ commercial production house roosts included the former HKM and Headquarters, the latter shop having produced the work which helped him gain entry into the ’05 SHOOT New Directors Showcase: Wildaid’s “Defense” spot for JWT New York, and Ping Golf’s “Ticket” for The Martin Agency, Richmond, Va.
Ogens is also a noted print photographer, underscoring the visual acumen exhibited in his spot, TV and documentary pursuits. His documentarian skillset translates into emotionally charged storytelling and insights into people from varied walks of life, qualities evident in his commercialmaking and branded content endeavors.
Future Craft Launches Under The Aegis of EP Johnny Parker; Shop Forges Alliance With U.K.’s OB42
Executive producer Johnny Parker has launched Future Craft, a content production studio which opens with a directorial roster that includes Brennan Stasiewicz, Henry Mason, We the Grimshaws, Kai Kurve, Sune Sorensen, Tim Hamilton, Jennifer Roberts, Little Village, Marcus Lundin, and Shaunoh Wilson.
Parker had been at the helm of production company Hey Baby which after eight years in business has been reimagined as Future Craft, with an expansion into branded content including long-from, experiential and photography alongside and integrated with advertising campaigns. Central to this evolution is Future Craft’s partnership with OB42, a U.K. production shop headed by the sr. management team of Otis Bell and Clancie Brennan. Via their strategic alliance, Future Craft and OB42 will share talent resources and develop projects for both the U.S. and Europe.
Parker said, “Future Craft was built on creating a home for some of the most talented creatives in the industry. Forthcoming global partnerships will redefine the lines between commercial and entertainment storytelling. I can’t wait to usher Future Craft into the here and now.”
OB42’s managing director Brennan said, “Johnny’s reputation in the industry came highly recommended to Otis and I, and we are thrilled to share the same vision. Future Craft’s roster complements our strategy for pursuing more narrative led advertising while leaning into more emotional and human campaigns that resonate with a wider audience. We have already collaborated on numerous productions and look forward to many more.”
Future Craft’s strategic alliance with OB42 and its parent company 42 fosters cross-pollination between advertising and branded entertainment, with a widened talent pool for... Read More