Underdog Entertainment, a New York-based production company, today announced that Daniel Azarian, a director of television commercials and branded entertainment produced the opening, animated title sequence for the feature film “Circus Maximus,” which is being released today on Blu-ray and DVD by Osiris Entertainment. The film stars Kevin Corrgian (“Pineapple Express,” “The Departed”) and Mario Cantone (“Sex and the City 1 & 2”) and is produced by Daydream City Films.rnrnThe opening title sequence features animated, typewritten words appearing on a cyclorama film set, as inanimate objects related to the plot fly in and morph into the titles for each credit. The sequence uses the same kind of technique and tone one might see in the titles for a sitcom from the 1950 or 60s, including whimsical sound effects. "The animated typewritten words stem from the fact that the main character is a screenwriter," explains Azarian. "Since the film is a quirky dark comedy, I came up with the idea of using a retro aesthetic, like the stop-motion animation that was popular with the Rankin Bass Christmas specials, but with a bit of dark edge thrown in. I also was influenced by Friz Freleng’s amazing title sequence from the original 1963 Pink Panther film.rnrn
rnThe sequence was created and animated using Maxon’s Cinema 4D and composited in Adobe After Effects in full HD 4K resolution. The title sequence can be seen here: Title Sequence Videornrn”Circus Maximus” centers on the wild predicament of an established screenwriter who attempts to complete an entire screenplay within a weekend. With a pending deadline looming and multiple obstacles mounting, this uproarious comedy unfolds as the characters involved come to life in their respective stories. The film is directed by Tommy J. La Sorsa and produced by Daydream City Films. rnrnFor more information on “Circus Maximus,” visit Osirus Entertainment.rnrnDaniel Azarian recently won two 2011 Telly Awards for the Public Service Announcement “Save Lolita” which premiered at the Hamptons Conservation & Wildlife Film Festival. He also garnered three 2008 Telly Awards, including Telly’s highest honor, the Silver Award, for his futuristic-themed cosmetic spot, "Bulletproof." Daniel has directed and produced national spots for 3M’s Scotch-Brite brand and Horizon Organic. Blue-chip telecommunications firms and entertainment networks have licensed Azarian’s commercial spots for their US and international mobile networks. rnrnUnderdog Entertainment is a New York-based production company active in producing commercial spots, branded and traditional entertainment and film. Visit www.UnderdogEntertainment.com for more information.Robert Michael Underdog Entertainment 212-807-9552 Contact Robert 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 industryโs 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, Oniwuraโs 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 industryโs 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