This study in stop motion paper animation is an origami-like tour de force which begins with a bud growing into a tree, on which sprout bunches of grapes. Suddenly row upon row of fruit-bearing trees form before our eyes, with a quaint building in the background, a vintner walking among the trees and assorted fine touches such as a bird flying by.
This charming paper world then gets flattened and emerges out the other end of what looks like a printer in the form of a Beringer label that is ultimately affixed to a bottle of wine. A super appears, offering some historical perspective–since 1876–and the slogan, “How to get to Napa Valley.”
This visually captivating piece was directed by Olivier Gondry of Paranoid US, Los Angeles, for Publicis & Hal Riney, San Francisco. Gondry additionally served as visual effects lead artist and editor (with additional cutter Michael Moretti) on the job.
The Publicis & Hal Riney team consisted of chief creative officer Roger Camp, director of integrated production David Verhoef, art director Rich North, copywriter Adam Koppel and producer Sara Krider.
Phillip Detchmendy and Claude Letessier were executive producers for Paranoid US, with Cathleen O’Connor serving as head of production and Richard Berman as line producer. The DP was Neil Shapiro. Animators were Len Burge, Mike Mayfield, Ben Zelkowitz, Sam Winkler and Emile Gondry. Paper artist was Su Blackwell. Christine Schneider was the visual effects producer for Paranoid US.
Music composer was Brad Breeck of bicoastal Mophonics.
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More