Shuts Us 2 Editorial, Which He Co-Founded With Editor Bonora.
D. J. Dole, executive producer/partner at Us 2 Editorial, has opened Switchblade, a postproduction service offering offline and online editorial as well as graphic design for commercials, feature films, episodic television and the Internet. Switchblade will primarily facilitate freelance editors, though Dole envisions possibly adding a staff editor or two.
Dole said that he and former Us 2 partner, editor Elisa Bonora, agreed to dissolve their company after six years in business. Dole related that an industry movement toward freelance editors prompted his decision to shutter Us 2 and launch Switchblade. He said that his split with Bonora was amicable, as evidenced by the fact that they are currently sharing space in the same building that had been home to Us 2.
Bonora continues to edit and at press time was in the process of putting together a deal to open up a West Coast office for an East Coast editorial house. She said she wasn’t yet at liberty to publicly discuss details of her pending venture.
Dole, meanwhile, serves in an executive producer’s capacity at Switchblade, which currently has a pair of Avid 9000s, an Avid 8000 and an Avid 4000 system. "My overriding reason for forming this company was to support the growing freelance market," he explained. "If a freelance editor has a big project, he or she can come here and gain full support. We can provide resources, produce and help execute the job and handle the client. On the other hand, if a freelancer has a smaller job and just needs a room, they can get that here as well."
Dole added that it’s become more common for agencies to directly hire freelance editors. "The cost savings can be dramatic," he said. "Specific staffing can be put in place based on the project. No overkill, no waste, which allows a lower markup and lower creative fees. Agencies are also looking for a place [like Switchblade, with technical resources and support] to house the editors they hire."
According to Dole, the caliber of freelance talent has risen exponentially. "Many editors like to pursue other projects that don’t have a large budget," he said. "Because these editors have been under contract, it is up to the company they work for to decide if they can do the job. Generally, the companies want editors to focus on the big, money-making work. But editors need different creative outlets. Being confined to one kind of communication limits their talent and ability. … So they have decided to freelance. They prefer to remain unattached while handling a diversified set of post projects."
Switchblade has already facilitated jobs for several freelance cutters, including former Us 2 staffer David Brooks, who edited a Mild Seven spot for the Japanese market. Also bringing work to Switchblade is editor Kevin Connolly, a freelancer who had been working primarily via Us 2. Connolly and freelancer Scott Canning cut different spots in a campaign promoting the "Rod Stewart @ The Rio" show, slated for New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. Additionally, freelance cutters David Winter and Arturo Escobar worked on a corporate video for Internet search engine Alta Vista. Escobar also wrapped a corporate piece for Internet routing systems firm Cisco.
Dole has initiated talks not only with freelance editors but also with graphic artists and sound designers to explore possible collaborations with Switchblade. "I chose the name Switchblade to symbolize an editorial house that will not always feature the same editors," said Dole. "We will have a collection of different, talented freelancers."
Jury Presidents Named For The One Show 2025
The One Club for Creativity has announced the global creatives from around the world who will serve as jury presidents for The One Show 2025.
These creatives will lead judging for each discipline, and have a vote on the work.
Confirmed One Show 2025 Jury presidents, by discipline, are as follows:
--Brand-Side/In-House: David Lee, CCO, Squarespace, New York
--Branded Entertainment: Malcolm Poynton, Global CCO, Cheil Worldwide, London
--Creative Use of Data, Creative Use of Technology: Nancy Crimi-Lamanna, CCO, FCB Canada, Toronto
--Cultural Driver: Bianca Guimaraes, partner, ECD, Mischief, New York
--Design: Liza Enebeis, creative director, partner, Studio Dumbar/DEPT®, Rotterdam
--Direct Marketing: Vicki Maguire, CCO, Havas London
--Film & Video: Javier Campopiano, global CCO, McCann Worldgroup & McCann Global, Madrid
--Gaming: Taj Reid, global chief experience officer, US CCO, Edelman, New York
--Integrated, Experiential & Immersive: Chris Beresford-Hill, worldwide CCO, BBDO New York
--Fusion Pencil: Walter T. Geer III, CCO, Innovation North America, VML, New York
--Green Pencil: Barbara Humphries, ECD, The Monkeys, Sydney
--Health & Wellness, Pharma: Wendy Lund, chief client officer, WPP, New York
--IP & Product Design: Ronald Ng, global CCO, MRM, New York
--Moving Image Craft & Production: Irene Kugelmann, chief creative officer, DDB Group of Companies Germany, Berlin
--Music & Sound Craft: Joel Simon, CCO, JSM Music, New York
--Out of Home, Print & Promotional: Kainaz Karmakar, CCO, Ogilvy India, Mumbai
--Public Relations: Patricia Ávila, regional director for Latin America, Ágora, São Paulo
--Radio... Read More