www.filmworkers.com.>Filmworkers provided post-production services for a spot for Texas grocery chain H-E-B in which aliens invade the Lone Star State in search of tasty, store-brand food. Matt McClain performed final color correction for the 60-second commercial which debuted in Southwest markets during the Super Bowl broadcast. It will also air during other high-profile events, including the Academy Awards. An extended version is featured on the H-E-B Facebook page.nnConceived by The Richards Group, the spot plays like a trailer for a science fiction movie as a Texas community braces itself for an alien invasion. A farmer inspects a ruined cornfield. Fans at a sporting event spot a green light in the sky. Rocket scientists nervously monitor satellite images. Most mysteriously, H-E-B food products, shopping carts and even at big rig disappear. The drama culminates in a supermarket where a pint-sized alien in a ten-gallon hat buys milk, bread and other items before disappearing in a puff of smoke. “H-E-B brand products,” says the voice-over, “everybody wants them. Only Texas has them.”nn
nnThe commercial’s production values are more than on par with Super Bowl spots airing nationally, in fact, they are positively Spielberg-esque. It features a large cast, numerous locations and oversized props (including an H-E-B truck parked on top of a building and 160 stacked shopping carts), elaborate movie makeup and animatronics. It was shot with an Arri Alexa camera system, which was developed for feature film production, and presented in cinema-style 2.4 aspect ratio.nnPost-production work at www.filmworkers.com.>Filmworkers was carried out with a similarly theatrical flourish. McClain’s role was to give the imagery a rich, cinematic look. “Our aim was to give the spot a dark, contrasty look, similar to an action-packed movie thriller,” he says. “My style of contrast, with warmer highlights and cooler mid-tones and blacks, really worked well for this. We had a lot of night scenes with high contrast breaking through.”nnMcClain also made H-E-B products stand out by using his Baselight color grading system to apply subtle color and light adjustments to packages, cans and bottles. “I can create unlimited layers to separate and track individual features of images,” he explains. “I can color those aspects in real time and work with my clients interactively. That ensures that they are happy, not only with how the spot looks as a whole, but also with the product placement.”nnwww.filmworkers.com.>Filmworkers is located at 3400 Carlisle St., Ste. 105, Dallas, Texas 75204. For more information, call (214) 754-9333 or visit www.filmworkers.com. nnCreditsnTitle: Out of This World TastenClient:H-E-BnAgency: The Richards Group, Dallas. Debbie Koppman, producer; Chris Smith, creative director; Wendy Bouis, art director; Brittany Sarrett, copywriter; nProduction: Sugar Film Production. Chris Smith, director. nEditorial: charlieuniformtango. Deedle Lacour, editor; David Hannah, VFX supervisor; Joey Waldrip; Flame artist, Lola Lott, executive producer; Jeff Elmore, senior producer.Juanita Davila www.filmworkers.com.>Filmworkers 214.754.9333 Contact Juanita via email
Contact:Linda Rosner Artisans PR 310.837.6008 Contact Linda via email
The Light and BIEN Form Creative & Strategic Alliance
Production company The Light and motion design studio BIEN have forged a strategic alliance that nurtures inclusivity and sustainability throughout the life cycle of every project.
The Light Founder/CEO Becky Morrison and BIEN Co-Founder Ricardo Roberts were first introduced by a mutual client who recognized their parallel ethos. Both Morrison and Roberts are advocates for industry change, and have built successful companies that demonstrate the benefits of human-centered and sustainable production in live action and motion design, respectively.
“I admire the thoughtfulness, specificity, and artistry with which BIEN produces animation and design and their attention to representing the full spectrum of humanity,” notes Morrison. “Their work behind the scenes to foster a diverse creative community is equally impressive. It feels like the perfect moment to partner with another mission-driven company who cares so deeply about creative excellence and social change.”
“I immediately hit it off with Becky and love that she has so many ideas that are tactical, scalable and make a powerful difference,” adds Roberts. “She challenges the status quo while producing beautiful, world-class content. With this partnership, we can better serve our clients and carry our mission forward together.”
The Light is a production company guided by the principle that an emotionally healthy environment is paramount for creativity and high performance. From its inception in 2014, The Light has centered under-represented talent, with equity and sustainability as key pillars to delivering creative projects for... Read More