Director Thor Raxlen has signed with New York-based Zero 2 Sixty for exclusive spot representation. Raxlen is best known for his nine-year tenure at Chelsea Pictures, New York, the past three as head editor/visual effects designer of its in-house post boutique Chelsea Digital. His effects/editorial work includes commercials for such clients as AT&T, United Airlines, Verizon, Bugle Boy Jeans, Gateway, adidas and Crayola, as well as music videos for Moby, The Stereophonics, Scarface, Rival Schools and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
While Raxlen’s prime focus will be on his directing career, he will continue to do editorial and effects work at Chelsea Digital. He brings an added dimension to Zero 2 Sixty. “Thor is a filmmaker skilled in many of the creative crafts,” said Zero 2 Sixty president/executive producer Doug Robbins. “…Knowledge of effects is tremendously important in our industry these days and the addition of Thor to the roster is a very important creative opportunity for our company. In the past years, our involvement in special effects production has developed and grown. We feel that our involvement in the effects community will be a tremendous asset in developing Thor’s reel and his work–and in turn, his expertise will help grow our company.”
In recent years, Raxlen has had occasion to direct select projects, including “10 Days,” a theatrical spot for the Sundance Channel promoting the Sundance Film Festival. He also helmed a two-minute piece for the Andy Awards and an Internet ad for the 2004 AICP Awards, both via Chelsea Pictures, as well as a Web spot for the United Nations that addressed human trafficking, and an MTV PSA. The later two jobs were run through Raxlen’s New York shingle, Pig.
Raxlen said that when he showed his reel to Zero 2 Sixty, “they understood my work and the fact that I can marry live action with effects. A client does not have to hire a director and visual effects designer. I understand both worlds and can guide a spot accordingly.”
Raxlen joins a Zero 2 Sixty directorial roster that also includes Mark Claywell, Robert Mowen and Glen Owen.