LEAVING VEGAS FOR THE TRACK
Having fun with and debunking the adage “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” is a three-spot campaign for California Thoroughbred Horse Racing co-directed by Eric Joiner and Robert Richardson, ASC, of bicoastal Tool of North America for Rubin Postaer and Associates, Santa Monica. In each commercial, a man’s Vegas “sexploits” come back to haunt him, suggesting that the race track might be a better means to satiate one’s need for fun and excitement. For example, in “Tattoo,” we see a couple in bed, bathed in warm morning sunlight. As the woman awakens and looks lovingly upon her mate, she notices something on his lower back: a tattoo of a half-naked woman with “Misty” written across her chest. “Who’s Misty”” she asks her hubby.
Clearly caught, the man braces for the worst–the first manifestation of which is his wife smacking him on the back of the head. We are then taken to the race track, accompanied by the tag and voiceover, “Unfortunately, some things don’t stay in Vegas. For more fun and less trouble, come to the track. You’re this close to winning.” The Rubin Postaer team included creative director/copywriter Pat Mendelson, creative director/art director Mark Erwin and producer Gary Paticoff. Jennifer Siegel and Brian Latt executive produced for Tool with Joby Ochsner serving as producer. Richardson shot the campaign. Editor was Jon Hopp of Jigsaw Editorial, Los Angeles.
VES’ FAB FIVE Members of the Visual Effects Society (VES) voted on the most influential visual effects films of all time. Dubbed the VES 50, the roster is the backdrop of the 2007 VES Festival of Visual Effects, which is slated for June 7-10 at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. During the event, there will be a panel discussing the VES 50. Scheduled panelists include Oscar winners Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren, Doug Trumbull and John Dykstra.
Other Festival programs include such sessions as: The Art of the Miniature–What Can You Get Me In Two Weeks; VFX Manipulation–With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility; and Pre-Viz–All the Ins and Outs. Though space doesn’t permit us to list all of the VES 50, here are the top five. Star Wars finished first, followed by Blade Runner and then a tie for third between 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Matrix. The fifth slot went to Jurassic Park. For more info on the Festival, log onto www.visualeffectssociety.com/vesFestival.cfm.
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Julian Duff, formerly of The William Morris Agency, has joined the New York office of bicoastal music and sound house Bang/MOD in the dual roles of senior producer and new media strategist. He will work closely with Bang founder/creative director Lyle Greenfield and partner/composer Brian Jones in overseeing production in the TV and interactive worlds spanning both entertainment and commercials. Duff will also spearhead Bang/MOD’s creative development strategy, from TV series to recording projects….Joe Nelms has been named creative director at Philadelphia-based independent ad agency Red Tettemer. A former screenwriter, Nelms has a strong background in the advertising and entertainment industries, having previously worked for Warner Bros. Films as VP of advertising, and BBDO New York and Grey, New York, in creative capacities….
