This stop motion animation piece takes us to a meeting of the “I Exist! Support Group.” In the nondescript meeting room, we see some iconic characters, including Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, a leprechaun, Bigfoot, and an alien from outer space.
Standing out like a sore thumb, though, is a Diet Dr Pepper delivery guy who looks rather mundane. Santa asks him what he’s doing at the meeting.
The reply is that he has to reaffirm the existence of a drink–Diet Dr Pepper–that tastes delicious but with no calories.
Santa asks the Diet Dr Pepper lad if he really wants people to believe there’s a no calorie soft drink that’s taste satisfying. Before he can hear a response, Santa says, “Good luck with that one.” Santa, the Easter Bunny et al break out into almost convulsive laughter.
Ken Lidster of Bent Image Labs, Portland, Ore., directed this :30 for Deutsch LA.
The Deutsch team consisted of chief creative officer Eric Hirshberg, group creative director Chris Ribeiro, senior designer Marius Gedgaudas, executive producer Victoria Guenier and senior producer Tracey Jones.
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