Venice-based visual effects studio The Mission celebrates its first anniversary with three remarkable Super Bowl XLVI spots, two breaking :30s for Bridgestone Tires and a :90 for Samsung, as well as new work for Coke/NASCAR, and a remarkable, all-CG spec :30 for MINI. nn"It’s been a great affirmation to be entrusted with so much great work in our first year," says the Mission EP/Co-Founder Michael Pardee. "We are really proud of the quality of our recent projects, some of which had challenging time frames."nnThese campaigns cap an inaugural year of outstanding work for The Mission since its debut Chevy spot aired during last year’s Super Bowl XLV. At a time when many post and VFX companies are struggling in a sluggish economy, the company’s rapid success story is particularly compelling.nnCoke/NASCAR “Tease" stands out with its seamless VFX and visualization of ‘heat.’ Ironically, Wieden + Kennedy and Coke’s directive was to capture the hottest day of the year and where they shot it–both in North Carolina and another, completely separate locale–it was the dead of winter. The Mission not only matched the locations and added crowds and light flashes, but visible heat as you can see in the side-by-side video. The Mission also did the color grade on "Tease," showcasing its soup-to-nuts finishing capabilities.n nThe Mission has also brought eye-popping visuals to life in a wide range of campaigns over the past year for brands as diverse as McDonald’s, Chevrolet, Hershey, T-Mobile and Nike Golf. It has also bolstered its creative ranks along the way, adding some of the top visual effects talent in the industry, including, most recently, two-time Emmy®-nominated VFX Supervisor and Flame artist Joey Brattsani.n nAlthough The Mission is a comparatively new company on the VFX scene, its founders are anything but. When EP Michael Pardee, Creative Director Rob Trent and Animation Director Piotr Karwas joined forces and opened the doors of an historic converted two story Venice compound in early 2011, they brought decades of VFX experience in both features and commercials along with a slew awards and a reputation as industry thought leaders. nnThe Mission‘s upcoming projects include more photo-real VFX work for Bridgestone, as well as campaigns for Samsung, Chevy, Dunkin Donuts and Old Spice.nnMission Studio – MINI mobius Spec CommercialnA high-powered all-CG :30, created for MINI, executed completely in-house, features a high-octane race between two sleek MINI sports cars on a futuristic raised highway.nnnnCreditsnTitle: Mission Studio – MINI mobius Speculative CommercialnVFX/Animation: The MissionnExecutive Producer: Michael PardeenDirector: Piotr KarwasnCreative Director: Rob TrentnAnimation/Lighting: Samir LyonsnLighting: David ChannLighting/FX/Compositing: Piotr Karwas nnAbout The MissionnThe Mission is a high-end visual effects boutique specializing in commercials, film and digital content. It is located in the middle of the pop-culture hub known as Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA. With the talents of some of the most creative and experienced artists in the industry, working with the latest tools and a top-notch production staff, The Mission is a lean and dynamic powerhouse of a partner to deploy into your creative process. From concepting, previs, and on-set-supervision, to 2d and 3d visual effects work & design, and on to final mastering, The Mission brings a smart, beautiful and efficient component to every visual dimension of your project. www.themissionstudio.com
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Asian World Film Festival Reveals Asian Vision Program Lineup, Snow Leopard and Bruce Lee Honorees, and Jury Members
The 10th Annual Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) is proud to announce the lineup for its inaugural Asian Vision program, which was conceived to showcase new and exceptional Asian features that have participated in major A-list film festivals and/or garnered international acclaim. The program of eight motion pictures (see list below) will be held November 17-19, 2024, with the top film receiving the Asian Vision Best Film Award. The 10th Annual Asian World Film Festival takes place November 13 - 21, 2024, at the Culver Theatre in Culver City, CA. This year’s Snow Leopard Lifetime Achievement Award, the Festival’s highest honor, will be presented to acclaimed director, screenwriter, and producer Sergei Bodrov in celebration of his remarkable 50-year career. Bodrov established his reputation as a visionary filmmaker with “Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan” (2007), nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Foreign Language Film, and “Prisoner of the Mountains” (1996), also an Oscar® nominee as well as a Cannes Film Festival FIPRESCI Prize-winner. The Snow Leopard Outstanding Cinematic Achievement Award will be presented to director, producer, and screenwriter Peter Ho-Sun Chan, one of Hong Kong’s most critically acclaimed and accomplished filmmakers. Known for his versatility and the scope of his work, Chan’s landmark films, including “Comrades: Almost a Love Story” (1996) and “The Warlords” (2007), have earned him a remarkable 233 awards from more than 400 nominations. As previously announced, AWFF will screen “Comrades: Almost a Love Story,” followed by a Q&A with Chan. Multi-award-winning actress Kathryn Bernardo will receive the Snow Leopard... Read More