When ContagiousLA approached Cornelius Trunchpole in late 2010, it was with the same level of mystery and enchantment that seemed to captivate the industry’s response to the man and his sudden online phenomena. Who was he? Or perhaps more relevant, who was behind him?nnEither way, the man Facebook knew as ad legend Cornelius Trunchpole had created quite a stir in the Ad Community – winning thousands of online followers and sending gossip blogs into a frenzy. But with a simple e-mail to the address on Corny’s Facebook account, ContagiousLA director Andrew Laurich made contact.n n”I was shocked,” Laurich says. “He (Trunchpole) responded within an hour.” Laurich expressed interest in working with Trunchpole on future projects; and within a few months of online exchange, Trunchpole – or the person behind him – offered Laurich the directing job on a short documentary about the return of Trunchpole.nn
nn”The next year was an absolute whirlwind,” says Natalie Sakai, executive producer and co-founder of ContagiousLA. Production traveled between Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, interviewing some of advertising’s biggest luminaries. “We’d get an e-mail every other week or so from Trunchpole that would just say: ‘Lee Clow has agreed to be in the film on this date, please contact his assistant’, we really had no idea how involved the project would become”. The finished 15 minute mockumentary, “Art and Corny”, includes interviews from the likes of Lee Clow, Jeff Goodby, Steve Hayden, Michael Wolff, among others, discussing how Trunchpole influenced and shaped their careers. “It’s a way for the industry to sort of poke fun at itself. We had Steve Hayden singing Lady Gaga and Jeff Goodby storming out of an interview. It had this interesting communal effect. Everybody seemed to jump on board,” says Laurich.nnThe finished film charts the dramatic return of Cornelius Trunchpole to the top of the advertising industry without sacrificing any of the mystery. “We make no declarations as to Trunchpole’s real identity. You’ll just have to see for yourself,” Laurich quips. The film premieres during Creative Week in NYC next month and promises to be a can’t-miss event. Following the screening, a panel discussion addresses the Trunchpole phenomenon and how social media can affect the industry at large. Details below:nn“Art & Corny” Premiere / An Evening with Cornelius Trunchpole and Friends“nTIME: Wednesday, May 09 / 5:00 PM – 6:00 PMnVENUE: Galapagos Art Space 16 Main Street, Brooklyn, NYnTICKETS: RSVP HEREnnCreditsnTitle: Art & CornynProduction Company: ContagiousLAnDirector: Andrew LaurichnProducer: Natalie SakainEP: Natalie Sakai, Jeff Jenkins, Andrew LaurichnnEditorial: ContagiousLAnOn-Line: Local HeronColorist: Robbie RenfrownnAudio Post: Lime StudiosnMixer: Lindsey AlvareznnAbout CONTAGIOUSLAnContagiousLA is a full-service production company and creative collective, founded by film and commercial producer Natalie Sakai and directors Andrew Laurich and Jeff Jenkins. A young, energetic, and collaborative crew, they are a vendor of Google’s ad creation platform and work with growing businesses and agencies alike. The ContagiousLA roster highlights directors that have been chosen as the next rising stars and is known for incessantly nurturing their creative abilities. The team is in on the advertising industry’s most talked about documentary "Art & Corny" covering the legendary advertising mogul who vanished in the 1960’s: Cornelius Trunchpole and starring the likes of Lee Clow, Gerry Graf, and other famous culture-makers. www.contagiousla.com.Natalie Sakai Executive Producer 323-303-3527 Contact Natalie via email
Pioneering The Visual Narrative: Bobola Oniwura’s Impact on Nollywood’s Cinematic Evolution
Nollywood is in the middle of a visual revolution, and at its core is Bobola Oniwura, the mastermind behind some of the industry’s most striking cinematic transformations. Oniwura is a pioneering colorist whose unique approach to film aesthetics has set new standards for how Nigerian stories are told on screen. From the gritty realism of King of Boys: The Return of the King to the vibrant energy of A Tribe Called Judah, Oniwura’s work has become synonymous with a new era of cinematic excellence, one where color grading is no longer an afterthought but a defining narrative tool. The film industry in Nigeria known as Nollywood has grown into one of the most prolific cinematic powerhouses in the world. Producing thousands of films annually, it ranks alongside Hollywood and Bollywood in terms of output. Once characterized by rapid, low-budget productions, Nollywood has undergone a remarkable transformation, embracing higher production values, diverse storytelling, and international recognition. The industry’s films now command global audiences, made possible by platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, and receiving acclaim at major festivals. This evolution has been fueled by creatives like Oniwura, who are redefining the post-production technical standards of Nigerian films. His impact extends beyond the color suite. Drawing on his background in Architecture and user experience research, Oniwura approaches color grading with an acute understanding of audience perception, crafting visual experiences that enhance storytelling, evoke emotion, and immerse viewers in the rich textures of Nigerian culture. His ability to merge technical precision with artistic intuition has positioned him as one of the most sought-after colorists in Nollywood... Read More