Spy Post has opened a CG division and signed visual effects supervisor and lead CG artist Joe Henke. The San Francisco shop’s new division has already embarked on commercial campaigns for Lexus and Interactive brokers under Henke’s aegis. Spy also continues some CG work in the feature film arena.
“By adding a full service visual effects, CGI, and animation division, we are supporting the needs of our current telecine and visual effects clients while keeping an eye on new project opportunities,” related Spy Post partner/CEO Eric Hanson.
Company partner/lead artist Darren Orr added, “From the visual effects perspective, we’ve had the opportunity to work with Joe on two GMC spots and a Saturn campaign,” Orr cited Henke’s skills as a character animator as well as his understanding of the CG, visual effects and compositing workflow.
Henke brings to his new roost years of VFX supervision, animation direction, and compositing experience in feature films and commercials.
Most recently, he ran his own studio, Hero Motion Pictures, where he worked on various advertising film and video game projects with clients including Electronic Arts and Carl’s Fine Films, San Francisco.
Earlier as animation and digital effects supervisor at CIS Hollywood, Henke contributed to such films as The Matrix: Revolutions, Constantine, The Core, Scary Movie 3, Herbie Fully Loaded, The Haunted Mansion and My Life in Idlewilde.
Henke spent four years as animation supervisor at San Francisco animation studio W!LD BRAIN on numerous award-winning films and commercials, including the International Animated Film Society’s (ASIFA-Hollywood) Annie Award winners Hubert’s Brain and Lamisil’s “It’s Alive!” The latter, directed by W!LD BRAIN’s Phil Robinson for ad agency Deutsch New York, topped the spot category at the 2004 Annie competition which recognizes outstanding achievement in animation. Henke served as animation supervisor on the Lamisil commercial for W!LD BRAIN.
“It’s Alive” featured an animated yellow, flaky, cross-eyed critter named Digger the Dermatophyte, who introduces viewers to the world of fungal nail infection. Digger climbs under a toenail and makes himself comfortable in the nail bed, invites friends to do the same and destroys healthy tissue. Unfortunately for Digger, Lamisil tablets come to the rescue, taking care of the protagonist critter and his pals.
The Annie Awards honored the aforementioned Hubert’s Brain in 2001 in the animated short subject category. The CG short additionally garnered a first prize honor at the Worldwide Animation Celebration in Los Angeles.
Henke’s career also encompasses years as a freelance animator and digital artist, working on such features as The Haunting, Flubber, The Relic, Ed and Species.
A “Wicked” Welcome From The National Board of Review
Days after "Wicked" went home from the Golden Globes with a single award for box office achievement, the National Board of Review Awards held space for the smash hit musical, celebrating its cast and director in the New York group's annual gala Tuesday. The untelevised but starry NBR Awards were a chance for many of the nominees who didn't win Sunday to trot out their would-be acceptance speeches, including Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman. Accepting the award for best actress for her performance in the erotic thriller "Babygirl," Kidman celebrated by chugging a glass of milk, a nod to some of the film's kinky sex games. After finishing, Kidman triumphantly announced "Good girl!" and left the stage. It also was an opportunity for some jabs at the Globes. "Isn't this room just a little bit classier than the Beverly Hilton?" quipped presenter Christine Baranski, looking around the elegant marble-columned midtown venue, Cipriani's. Others were less impressed by the old-school New York vibe. "The bathroom attendant, that shouldn't exist anymore," Kieran Culkin said during a typically free-form acceptance speech for best supporting actor for his role in "A Real Pain." The night belonged to Jon M. Chu's "Wicked." The musical was the board's pick for best film, best director for Chu and a special award for the creative collaboration of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The two, in back-and-forth remarks, continued their mutual praise of each other. "Also you're welcome," added Grande. "I truly think you would have murdered anyone else." "Probably true," responded Erivo. Chu, who was introduced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, used the moment to reflect on his yearslong journey with "Wicked," which will be followed by an already-shot part two due out this... Read More