What was the biggest challenge posed to you by a recent project? Or share insights to a recent project you deem notable. Briefly describe the project, why it was particularly noteworthy or what valuable lesson(s) you learned from it.
Rather than focus on a project that had challenges, I’d love to focus on a success. We recently did a Little Caesar’s project with our directing duo Tim&Eric and it was a blast. An awesome agency partner in Cylndr who navigated budget challenges to come up with great creative solutions. A client in Little Caesar’s who trusted both the agency and us/the guys and let them do what they do best. A great production team who made the shoot fun. And I think you see it in the work – we had time to prep, creative collaboration, and shared trust of all the partners and that’s when we can make great things even if budgets are tight. Everyone talks about the tightening of budgets, but when there is true collaboration you can still make great things. View the work here: https://wdrv.it/171e62006
Are you involved in virtual production or experimenting with AI, AR or other emerging disciplines or new technologies? Have you engaged in any real-world projects on these fronts? If so, relative to experimental and/or actual projects, briefly tell us about the work & what you’ve taken away from the experience.
We have been involved in several projects that use emerging disciplines and technologies. One example is the AR project we did with Nissan. We created an AR experience with several different worlds and of course the amazing Brie Larson. View the work here: https://www.nissanusa.com/ar-electrified/
We also are fans of the volume stage. Sometimes it can be cost and schedule prohibitive, but we’ve done several projects on the stage and have used both 360 footage we shot along with footage created with Unreal Engine to allow for accurate lighting on the subjects. Our creatives love it!
Gender pay disparity, sexual misconduct and the need for diversity & inclusion are issues that have started to be dealt with meaningfully. While the industry has made strides to address these issues, there’s still a long way to go. What policies do you have in place or plan to implement or step up in order to make progress on any or all of these fronts?
We Double the Line on every job we can to make sure that we are changing our industry from one predicated on nepotism to one that embraces talent from all areas of entertainment. We hire from incredible organizations like Manifest Works and Streetlights who have the best PA training programs around. We try to create a culture and ethos at our company where it isn’t something to think about on occasion, but a part of the work we need to do every day. https://www.aicp.com/initiatives/equity-and-inclusion/double-the-line
Tell us about significant creative, filmmaking or tech talent you’ve recently brought into your company–including from those groups underrepresented in the industry–and what drew you to him, her and/or them. If this was talent new to the industry, how did you go about “discovering” him, her and/or them?
We recently signed A.V. Maxwell who is a creative force. Her film A Thousand and One won the Grand Jury award at Sundance this year, but more importantly she is this incredible powerhouse combination of a heartfelt storyteller who has incredible visual style. And she is just beginning. We are so excited to be working with her.
