Underdog Entertainment, a New York-based production company, today announced that Daniel Azarian, a director of television commercials and branded entertainment, has produced the opening animated title sequence for the feature film “Circus Maximus” from Daydream City Films. The film, which stars Mario Cantone (“Sex and the City 2”) and Kevin Corrgian (“Superbad,” “The Pineapple Express”) will screen at the Big Apple Film Festival in New York City on November 6.
The opening sequence features 3D animation of typewritten words appearing on a cyclorama film set, as inanimate objects related to the story 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 television aesthetic, like the stop-motion animation that was popular with the Rankin Bass Christmas specials, but with a bit of dark edge thrown in.”
Azarian created the 3D elements and animated the sequence using Maxon’s Cinema 4D. The piece was then composited and finalized in Adobe After Effects. The sequence was rendered out in full HD 4K resolution.
The film centers on an established screenwriter who attempts to complete an entire screenplay within a weekend. With a pending deadline looming and multiple obstacles mounting, the film unfolds as the characters involved come to life in their respective stories. “Circus Maximus,” is directed by Thomas LaSorsa and produced by Daydream City Films. It will screen at the Big Apple Film festival on Saturday, November 6 at 7:15pm at Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick Street, New York City.
The screening will be followed by a special honorary “Golden Apple Award” presentation to Independent Spirit Award nominee Kevin Corrigan and “Spirit of New York Award” presentation to actor/comedian Mario Cantone. For ticketing information visit www.BigAppleFilmFestival.com. For more information on “Circus Maximus,” visit www.CircusMaximusTheMovie.com.
Daniel Azarian has won three 2008 Telly Awards, including Telly’s highest honor, the Silver Award, for his futuristic-themed cosmetic spot, “Bulletproof,” for Facez Cosmetics. Azarian has also 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. He recently directed “Save Lolita”, a public service announcement to raise awareness about the captivity of Lolita the Orca, which screened at the opening night reception of the Hamptons Conservation and Wildlife Film Festival last month.
Underdog 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.
