This commercial grows on you as we open on two male lab technicians playing with a wand of “Comcastic high-speed juice,” a miracle potion that figuratively reflects the extra boost of Comcast’s high speed Internet service. One lab tech waves the wand over his upper lip, instantly creating a moustache and the proclamation that he’s Magnum PI.
The other tech worker uses the juice to form an instant beard and his transformation into Grizzly Adams. The wand is then back in the hands of the original tech who waves it liberally around his head and face to concoct a tangly yet princely mane that Zeus would be proud of.
A nearby female worker asks the guys to stop their silly conversation. They comply, only for a moment with one tech ostensibly brushing something off her face. Concerned, she asks if whatever it was is now gone. The camera reveals a zigzag of hairy growth across her countenance.
“Hair” is part of a three-spot campaign directed by Mike Maguire of The Directors Bureau, Hollywood, for Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco. The visual effects house was Animal Logic, Sydney and Los Angeles. In the case of “Hair,” the Animal Logic team took numerous takes of the men wearing hair in various lengths and composited them together to create a realistic impression of instantaneous growth.
The agency ensemble consisted of creative director Jamie Barrett, associate creative director/copywriter Jim Elliott, associate creative director/art director Nick Spahr and producer Tanya LeSieur.
Barry Peterson was the DP. Editor was Ian MacKenzie of MacKenzie Cutler, New York.
Visual Effects Society Elects 2025 Board of Directors’ Executive Committee
The lineup of officers is set for the Visual Effects Society’s (VES) 2025 Board of Directors. The officers, who comprise the VES Board Executive Committee, were elected at the January 2025 Board meeting. The Officers include Kim Davidson, who was re-elected Board chair, and is the first Board member from outside the United States to hold this role since the Society’s inception.
“It is my privilege to serve as chair of our worldwide community of visual effects artists and innovators,” said Davidson. “Since I joined the Society 18 years ago, I have seen the VES grow from a California-based organization to a global society with 16 regional Sections and members in more than 50 countries. As the first chair elected from outside the U.S., I am representative of our thriving globalization, and I look forward to further championing our expansion worldwide. The leadership on our Board brings enormous commitment, expertise and enthusiasm to their volunteer service and I’m excited about what we can achieve, together.”
“Our Society is fortunate to have strong leadership represented on our Executive Committee,” said Nancy Ward, VES executive director. “I am honored to work alongside these exceptional, dedicated professionals, especially amidst this time of dynamic change. We appreciate their commitment to further advance the Society’s global initiatives and impact.”
The 2025 officers of the VES Board of Directors are:
--Chair: Kim Davidson
--1st Vice Chair: Susan O’Neal
--2nd Vice Chair: David Tanaka, VES
--Secretary: Rita Cahill
--Treasurer: Jeffrey A. Okun, VES
Kim Davidson, Chair
Davidson is the president and CEO of SideFX®, a company he co-founded in 1987. SideFX is... Read More