HSI Productions has entered into an arrangement with digital creative shop Heavenspot whereby the former will represent the latter to ad agencies and clients. Via the partnering, HSI gains digital chops, enabling the longstanding commercialmaking house to package its production acumen with Heavenspot’s web and interactive talent and resources. Conversely Heavenspot picks up access to live-action directors and production, thus allowing it to offer more comprehensive capabilities to not only its clientele but also those advertisers, marketers and ad agencies it’s introduced to by HSI.
According to HSI head of sales Michelle Ross, the two companies have already collaborated on an Old Navy project for Crispin Porter+Bogusky, with HSI handling the commercial production and Heavenspot the digital element of the campaign, including web banner work. HSI also secured for Heavenspot the digital portion of a Quiznos job (with live action spot work done by another production house).
Heavenspot’s portfolio includes the creation of graphically rich websites, movie and games trailers, and banner ads for global brands like Disney, Adobe, Hasbro, Fox Broadcasting, Focus Features, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Heavenspot earned this year’s “People’s Voice” Webby Award for “Adobe Brilliant.” Creative entrepreneur Chevon Hicks–who earlier served in senior creative positions at Universal New Media, Sony Online Entertainment, Attitude Network, and MGM Creative Advertising–is founder and president of Heavenspot.
“We know that HSI is the perfect representative to help us expand our capabilities in production and client relations,” said Hicks. “We look forward to leveraging our strengths in the evolving digital space on behalf of HSI clients as we move forward together to create memorable digital content for current and future clients.”
Heavenspot’s sister company AppWagon publishes games and applications for the new wave of portable touch devices.
HSI produces commercials and music videos for global brands and entertainment artists such as Activision, Pepsi, Burger King, adidas, Britney Spears, Madonna, Justin Timberlake to Jay-Z, while representing such notable directors as Brett Ratner, David LaChapelle, Joseph Kahn, Hype Williams and Allen Hughes. Founded by president/producer Stavros Merjos in 1986, HSI has offices in Los Angeles, New York and London.
Director Lu Villaca Joins MADRE
Production company MADRE has added Brazilian director Lu Villaça to its talent roster. With degrees in cinema and performance and a master’s in screenwriting, Villaça brings a multifaceted approach to filmmaking. Villaça’s tastes have been shaped by her childhood training in ballet, studying Greek theatre texts, her passion for music, and her contemplative nature. She honed her cinematic skills early on as an AD and creative assistant before becoming a director. Intent on capturing the drama of everyday life as it plays out, Villaça is tuned in to how the bodies in her frame move through their environments and what elements of the story can be extrapolated from these compositions. Her sharp attention to detail in every aspect, from lighting to the final edit, is designed to connect emotionally with her audience. Villaça has been awarded three Cannes Lions for her film “Next Minute Law,” which promoted awareness of a law in Brazil designed to address the rampant epidemic of sexual violence. “Next Minute Law” also garnered Best Direction at El Ojo and the Ciclope Latino Festival, where Villaça also won Best New Talent. Additionally, she has directed assorted commercial campaigns for brands like Johnnie Walker, Huggies Wipes, Nestlé, Amazon, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, and a spot for Medley featuring Brazilian Olympic gymnast Rebeca Andrade. Prior to joining MADRE, Villaca had been repped by production house LOBO. Recognized in Brazil as a top music video director, Villaca won Best Female Direction for her work on “Nu” by Assucena and “Lovezinho” by Rachel Reis, which also won Best National Music Video at the MVF Awards. Villaça additionally co-directed the documentary Pagliacci, an homage to circus artist Domingos Montagner... Read More