Balance," a nearly minute—and—a—half cinema spot journey conceived and directed by Randy Roberts of Rhythm & Hues Studios, Los Angeles, to promote Los Angeles public radio station KCRW, is a visual tour de force showcasing a cornucopia of some 200 global musicians and dancers, elephants, circus—like strong men and a female gymnast.
In this visual orgy representing entertainers from around the world, the performers are presented in wedding cake—like tiers, topped not by the bride—and—groom statue, but rather a symbol for KCRW radio station, which features eclectic sounds ranging from be—bop to baroque, according to the station’s Web site.
We begin at the ground tier, which features dancers and musicians performing in celebratory fashion. As the camera slowly moves up, we find more performers and elephants carrying dancers on the next level. Yet another layer exists on top of this, containing even more performers. On each layer, the entertainers are a diverse mix, including Asian and African dancers who move to the drumbeat of exotic and harmonious music.
On one of the upper layers, two grand pianos are held up vertically, and a man bangs on the exposed piano strings to create yet another sound to add to the celebration. Standing on the top of the pianos are two men holding a chair upon which another chair is perched. On that latter chair is a woman gymnast doing a handstand, with one leg bent and the other leg extending skyward.
As the camera continues to ascend, we see that on that extended foot’s big toe is a thin stick, upon which a rotating orb—like creation sits. On that orb are the radio station call letters KCRW, 89.9 FM. The spot ends with a kicker tag showing huge drums being pounded by two men, heralding the conclusion of a major production.
Roberts’ support team at Rhythm & Hues included executive producer/line producer Marlon Staggs, head of production Kat Dillon, production designer Aron Beroud and editor Nate Hubbard (who has since formed Manhattan Beach, Calif.—based Migrant Editors, but continues to work on occasion with Rhythm & Hues). The DP was David Darby, who shot each layer at ground level. Sleight of hand visual effects made each layer look as if it were perched atop another.
Visual effects artists came from three studios: Rhythm & Hues Commercials, with John Mark Austin serving as CGI director and Deborah Austin as CGI producer; Moving Pixels, Santa Monica, with creative director Tony Smoller and animation director Mark Wurts; and SOLdesignfx, Venice, Calif., with Flame artist Mary Beth Emigh and executive producer Dana Townsend.
Colorist was Stefan Sonnenfeld of Company 3, Santa Monica. Sound designer/audio mixers were Patrick Sabatini and Brian Riordan of Levels Audio Post, Hollywood.
Composer was Anthony Marinelli of 1606 (formerly Music Forever), Hollywood.
