BIG LAWN EXPECTING AIRTIMEExpecting–a short film directed by Chuck Bennett who’s best known for his spotmaking endeavors at Big Lawn Films, Santa Monica–is airing this month on the Independent Film Channel, as part of its “Shorts” program. This Short Takes column first reported on Expecting in April, at which time Big Lawn harbored the hope that the short would get picked up not only for the festival circuit but also for a broadcast/cable run. Expecting was chosen for air by IFC after being screened for a month on the network’s Media Lab website. Additionally the film has been accepted into a number of film festivals and recently debuted at the Santa Monica International Film Fest. Written by Brendan Duffy, Expecting isn’t at all what you’d expect during an ultrasound session in which a pregnant woman and her spouse are about to get a look-see at their developing bundle of joy. But they can tell from the doctor’s demeanor that something isn’t quite right. Reluctantly the doctor tells the couple that their baby girl will be “unattractive.” The implausible diagnosis is treated as serious by all parties, with the girl’s condition later downgraded to “ugly.” But a second medical opinion concludes that the baby will grow up to be a gorgeous babe. The two doctors argue about who’s right, with both citing the respective disadvantages of being ugly and pretty in today’s society. A third doctor then gets into the act, taking the middle ground that the baby will be “plain.” Indeed beauty is in the eye of the beholder….
ABSOLUTE PROGRESS
London -based visual effects/post house Absolute opened a New York shop with one Flame in February. Last month, the stateside facility expanded to two Flames with wiring in place for an additional pair of Flame suites, which are expected to be up and running within the next 18 months. Similarly the 3D department is doubling in size with two Maya-based CG workstations now increased to four. A deal has also been finalized to secure new N.Y. premises with enough space to rival the London headquarters. Plans call for the layout and functionality of the Manhattan operation to mirror that of Absolute in the U.K. In terms of work, Absolute NY has just wrapped 2D and 3D postproduction on an effects-heavy, six-part Intel campaign directed by Peter Thwaites of Gorgeous Enterprises, London, and bicoastal Anonymous Content for McCann Erickson, New York….
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Durham, N.C.-based agency McKinney has brought Forrest Maready on board as motion designer. He will design and develop microsites with his 3D and After Effects experience. A veteran of the filmmaking industry, Maready has worked on dozens of features (including several Muppet movies, Shallow Hal) and TV shows (Dawson’s Creek). He comes to McKinney from Guildford, U.K., where he served as lead designer for Imagineer Systems, heading the development of high-end visual effects applications on Mac, Windows and Linux….Rocky Tortorella has joined PostWorks, New York, as director of sound services at the company’s Soho site. He most recently held the position of operations manager at New York-based feature film audio post facility Sound One, his professional home for the past 30 years….
