Mexican model Carla Houston gets water-wise in a new online spot for Model Environment (ME), an organization of fashion models bringing awareness to environmental and social issues. Directed by Jeffrey Karoff of The Artists Company and co-written by Karoff and ME Founder Christy Beck, this latest commercial continues the eco-conscious theme as part of an online PSA series featuring green models. nnIn this sexy spot, Houston receives useful water conservation advice from her own clones, whether it’s saving the water from her shower to nourish her plants or filling the sink when washing dishes. The multiple versions of Houston peer over the balcony at their female neighbors, who are bathing outdoors. “Chicas, where did you get that water?” asks one of the clones, to which the giggly neighbor clones reply, “Rain!” nn
nTo view “Carla Houston on Water Conservation” online, please visit click here.nnThe “Carla” spot marks the third collaboration between Model Environment‘s Beck and Karoff. The previous two PSAs featured “Nina Smidt on “Cleaning Products” and “Helene Traasavik on Toilet Paper” with the latter receiving more than 50,000 views on YouTube. nn”These are causes that I’m personally passionate about,” explains Karoff. “Each of the spots relies on the model’s beauty and sensuality in an arch, over-the-top way. All of us — the filmmakers, models and audience – are in on the joke: sex sells, no kidding. In the meantime, the approach becomes the pill’s sugarcoating. The message goes down easy and hits you at your lizard brain. The responses we’ve heard are that viewers really are more mindful of their wasteful habits.”nn”Our goal was to attract viewers that are not typically drawn to environmental causes,” adds Beck, who founded Model Environment in April of 2011. “We wanted to promote simple environmental actions that anyone could follow. There are so many kind, giving models that want to make a positive impact on the world. ME is an alternative for a model’s time and energy to be channeled towards that larger goal.” nnThe “Carla” spot was the most technically challenging of the three given the VFX involved with the multiple versions of the model. Karoff says, “One of the Carlas is naked throughout, but we were looking for a PG rating. Strategically layering one Carla over another or a well-placed colander served to cover the naughty bits. Cinematographer Anghel Decca was terrific at creating clean greenscreen layers in tiny spaces, and Northern Lights did a seamless composite. You can tell everyone, including the models, had a good time on this project.” nn”The models have virtually no acting experience,” concludes Beck. “They are used to print campaigns. Jeffrey captured the playful spirit of the models, and made them feel very comfortable. It was impressive to watch Jeffrey direct them into delivering their lines with the same sass and sexiness they have on still shoots. He brought the pizzazz and the charm. Let’s just say he turned our skeleton into a supermodel.”nnProduction Company: The Artists CompanynDirector: Jeffrey KaroffnDP: Anghel DeccanProducer: Stephanie MarshallnWriters: Christy Beck and Jeffrey KaroffnWhere shot: Home of Producer John Marshall / Hollywood Hills, CAnnEditorial & Postproduction Company: Northern LightsnEditor: Brandon Beck nCompositor/Colorist: Chris HengeveldnSound Mixer: Tony SprayberrynnAbout Jeffrey KaroffnJeffrey Karoff’s work as a director covers a broad scope of styles, from beautiful film with an architectural style to intimate portrayals of people and their lives. His ability to weave compelling stories with clarity and honesty has attracted A-list clients over his 12-year commercial directing career, including HP, Lincoln, Canon, and Allstate, GM, Astra Zeneca and Mercedes. Karoff is currently directing a documentary on Ra Paulette, a cave digger, whom he shot for a recent Canon commercial.nnHe is repped by The Artists Company for commercials and branded content. www.theartistscompany.comMichele Lu Kumar Priya PR 310.922.0464 Contact Michele via email
Goldcrest Post Speeds Delivery of “Severance” Season Two
The New York Times recently wrote that the just-released Season Two of Severance will “blow your mind”—and we couldn’t agree more. Created by Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller, the Apple TV+ drama is smart, spellbinding, distinctly original and packed with surprises. For those who aren’t already devoted fans, the show centers on Mark Scout (Adam Scott), leader of a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a “severance” procedure that surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. Goldcrest Post provided post services for both seasons of the show, including picture editorial support, sound editorial, ADR and sound mixing. Editorial for Season One began in 2020. Due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, Goldcrest supplied both onsite production offices and edit suites, and remote editing systems for individual editors, with everything linked to a central server. "Mixing at Goldcrest with our team has been a great experience,” says Stiller. “Bob and Jacob are in sync with our creative process and so good at what they do that the experience is always one where it's about how we can enhance the creative vision, with a baseline of knowing everyone is totally committed to making something as good as it can be." Diana Dekajlo, the show’s co-producer, says that the arrangement worked so well, they chose to continue the hybrid approach for Season Two. “We’re a remote friendly show,” she explains. “Whether we’re at Goldcrest, our studio in the Bronx or at home, our workflow is seamless. I conduct remote daily meetings with my immediate staff, and weekly meetings with editorial and VFX, and we talk to each other as if we were just down the hall. It makes for great staff... Read More