Paul Babb–who most recently served as executive producer for Rhythm+Hues Commercial Studios, a division of the Academy Award-winning feature VFX studio–has joined creative-driven, multiplatform media shop MindOverEye (MOE) as director of integrated production.
In his new capacity at MOE, Babb will call upon his experience to manage day-to-day workflow and further expand the scope of projects, opportunities and partnerships within the advertising and production communities. MOE’s new, high-tech 15,000 square feet facility in El Segundo will allow him to offer clients everything under one roof, from an on-site cyc stage, audio recording booth and multipurpose editorial/finishing suites to live action, VFX and animation teams for any creative project.
“We are continually evolving our unique pipeline/workflow and Paul will be a key player in that development,” assessed Bill Wadsworth, founder of MOE. “Besides being a great mentor in my early days, Paul and I have continued to keep close ties as we waded through the post community…I am looking forward to doing some great work together at MindOverEye.”
Prior to his seven-year tenure at Rhythm + Hues, Babb developed the commercial shop kachew! from the ground up for Klasky Csupo Animation. And as the director of broadcast for Ogilvy & Mather, Los Angeles, Babb was responsible for the production of over 260 commercials a year and management of the production department. His commercial and media work has won honors from top industry competitions for a variety of clients including, American Express, Chevrolet, Coca-Cola, Ferrari, Ford, Lionsgate, Mercedes-Benz, McDonald’s, NASCAR, SeaWorld, Universal, and US Marine Corps.
Is “Glicked” The New “Barbenheimer”? “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” Hit Theater Screens
"Barbenheimer" was a phenomenon impossible to manufacture. But, more than a year later, that hasn't stopped people from trying to make "Glicked" — or even "Babyratu" — happen.
The counterprogramming of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" in July 2023 hit a nerve culturally and had the receipts to back it up. Unlike so many things that begin as memes, it transcended its online beginnings. Instead of an either-or, the two movies ultimately complemented and boosted one another at the box office.
And ever since, moviegoers, marketers and meme makers have been trying to recreate that moment, searching the movie release schedule for odd mashups and sending candidates off into the social media void. Most attempts have fizzled (sorry, "Saw Patrol" ).
This weekend is perhaps the closest approximation yet as the Broadway musical adaptation "Wicked" opens Friday against the chest-thumping sword-and-sandals epic "Gladiator II." Two big studio releases (Universal and Paramount), with one-name titles, opposite tones and aesthetics and big blockbuster energy — it was already halfway there before the name game began: "Wickiator," "Wadiator," "Gladwick" and even the eyebrow raising "Gladicked" have all been suggested.
"'Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more," actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening of "Gladiator II" this week. "I think we should all band around 'Glicked.' It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it."
As with "Barbenheimer," as reductive as it might seem, "Glicked" also has the male/female divide that make the fan art extra silly. One is pink and bright and awash in sparkles, tulle, Broadway bangers and brand tie-ins; The other is all sweat and sand, blood and bulging... Read More