<a href="http://www.laika.com/house.>LAIKA/house President/EP Lourri Hammack welcomes Director Nicholas Weigel to the expanding director roster for the commercial studio.
“Nicholas brings a unique voice and wonderfully off-kilter vision to the studio. He is currently applying his skewed funny bone to a live action/animation campaign, which rolls out in November. He is a great addition to our talented group of directors and also gives us greater depth in original content creation,” said Hammack.
Weigel previously worked with Psyop as an Animation Director on “Coke: Inside the Happiness Factory” and with The Mill on Orangina’s “Naturally Juicy” project.
In addition, he developed and directed the award-winning MTV Puberty series while working at Hornet Inc. in New York. He also served as Creative Director of Nick Digital Lab, a full service animation production facility that produced work for Spike TV and Nickelodeon.
“<a href="http://www.laika.com/house.>LAIKA/house and Portland have an alternative creative sensibility that attracted me. The studio offers a rare opportunity to explore new animation methods in all mediums under one roof. There’s no excuse not to create great work here,” said Weigel.
The move to Portland and <a href="http://www.laika.com/house.>LAIKA/house is a return to the West Coast for Weigel, who spent six years at W!LDBRAIN before moving to New York. While at the Bay-area studio, he directed award-winning spots for Ford Focus, Cartoon Network, Levi’s, and helped develop the hit Disney TV series Higglytown Heroes and Playhouse Disney.
In his free time, Weigel designs for independent street wear apparel and toy boutiques and develops animated series content for TV.
About <a href="http://www.laika.com/house.>LAIKA/house
<a href="http://www.laika.com/house.>LAIKA/house is world renowned for its skill in storytelling and character animation in many media, including 2D, CG and Stop Motion. The studio produces commercials, branded entertainment and content for television, film, Internet and mobile venues. The team’s ability to create stunning designs and commercials has garnered the attention of advertising agencies such as Leo Burnett, Wieden+Kennedy and BBDO and has attracted clients such as Starbucks, Apple, Coca-Cola, ESPN, M&M’s and the Honda.
The studio, owned by Nike co-founder and Chairman Philip H. Knight, has a 30-year animation history presenting the artistry of award-winning filmmakers, designers and animators. In addition to numerous international honors, the company has won two Academy Awards, 11 Emmy Awards, 11 Clio Awards, three London International Advertising and Design Awards, five Mobius Advertising Awards and two Cannes Lion International Advertising Festival awards.
For more information about the company or to view recent work, please visit http://www.laika.com/house.
Contact:Alise Munson, http://www.laika.com/house.>LAIKA/house amunson@laika.com 503-276-0110 1400 NW 22nd Avenue Portland, OR 97210
Asian World Film Festival Announces Dates, Opening and Closing Films, Special Programs, and Gala Awards Ceremony
The Asian World Film Festival (AWFF), Los Angeles' annual celebration of Asian filmmakers, announced the dates and highlights of its highly anticipated 10th anniversary edition. Taking place November 13-21, 2024, the festival will showcase a diverse range of new movies and special programs and celebrate Asian cinema’s legacy. Opening night will feature the critically acclaimed Korean drama, “A Normal Family,” while the Filipino romantic drama “Hello, Love, Again” is the closing film. Screenings will be presented at the Culver Theater, Culver City, November 13-20. A star-studded Closing Night Gala and Award Ceremony will be celebrated at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) complex November 21. Georges N. Chamchoum, AWFF Executive Director, said “We have chosen ‘heritage’ as this year’s theme to honor our first decade. This focus underscores AWFF's commitment to Asian cinema’s rich past as well as its ongoing efforts to champion contemporary and emerging Asian film.” OPENING AND CLOSING FILMS Directed by award-winning filmmaker Hur Jin-ho ("The Last Princess," "Happiness"), "A Normal Family" is a searing family drama that stars Sul Kyung-gu and Jong Dong-gun. Multi-layered yet accessible, the film was meticulously crafted in widescreen and premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim. The heartwarming sequel to Philippine box office phenomenon "Hello, Love, Goodbye," "Hello, Love, Again" reunites director Cathy Garcia-Sampana ("The Hows of Us," "One More Chance") with stars Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards. The filmmaker, actors, and other cast members will attend the screening at the film’s festival debut. MAIN PROGRAM - IN COMPETITION AWFF's main... Read More