Coming into 2012, the principals of award-winning design and production company Thornberg & Forester (T&F) had many ambitious goals. Among them, company founders Elizabeth Kiehner, Scott Matz and Justin Meredith wanted to better unite their dedication to essential work-life balance with their core group values, which focus on using their talents to make a difference in areas including human rights, ethics and sustainable energy, to name but a few. Also, as a company, T&F set out to expand its roster of business partners bringing quality, integrity and innovation to the media landscape. Today, on the verge of completing a record year of growth and high-profile cross-media achievements, Kiehner, Matz, Meredith and their colleagues are very proud to report their success in achieving each of their objectives.rnrnrnThornberg & Forester Reel on VimeornrnIn January at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, the not-for-profit film production company and foundation Cinereach Ltd. proudly took part in unveiling director Benh Zeitlin’s drama entitled "Beasts of the Southern Wild." When the house lights went down and the feature presentation began, audiences were introduced to an iconic new ident for Cinereach, which was designed and brought to life cinematically by T&F. The new ident now introduces all new productions from Cinereach. rnrnNext, T&F’s design system for this year’s NASCAR on-air package for FOX Sports went into effect in February and was used to promote each race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2012. As one example of its success, the package helped attract a record-setting FOX Sports audience for the rain-delayed 2012 Daytona 500, which drew 36.5 million viewers to the broadcast.rnrnIn March, T&F was delighted to re-team with BBDO Atlanta to promote AT&T’s new 4G LTE service in New York City via their "old friend," the American Eagle billboard in Times Square. In other work for BBDO Atlanta this year, T&F also created a phenomenal series of interactive takeover ads that debuted in June, providing online viewers with unique experiences directly related to the REI brand. rnrn”When we see that our work is getting the right kind of attention, that is a huge thrill for us,” said Justin Meredith. “We had one many of those moments this year, including one in June, when Bloomberg Businessweek executive editor Brad Wieners posted our REI takeover ad on Facebook describing it as ‘seriously cool’ and ‘maybe the best online ad I’ve yet to experience.’ That feedback inspires us all every day.”rnrnT&F’s live-action production and original content creation talents came to the forefront this year with the appearance of "Produce!," an original interstitial series created for Cooking Channel. Representing the company’s most successful venture into the world of original content creation to-date, T&F produced 10 three-minute episodes that are now key components of Cooking Channel‘s on-air and online promotions. rnrnrnThornberg & Forester Live-Action Reel on VimeornrnIn July, global interactive giant Razorfish turned to T&F for brilliant 3D and 2D assets and animations for the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S III smart phone. The resulting out-of-home deliverables appeared in Gallery Place in Washington D.C., Penn Plaza in New York City and major sports stadiums across the country. Also part of this project, T&F partnered with Monster Media to create interactive installations that appeared in numerous cities and storefronts. Driven by real-time motion of passersby, the displays promoted the Galaxy S III’s innovative media-sharing technology and directed visitors to the closest stores to make a purchase. rnrnFor the October debut of “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” on PBS, T&F partnered with renowned design firm Chermayeff & Geismar and the project’s all-star producers to create a mesmerizing title sequence that earned worldwide acclaim. “We get excited when our friends at Chermayeff & Geismar call us with an opportunity to work together,” explained Scott Matz. “Our partnership, once again, has resulted in a piece we are very proud to stand behind.” The main titles for the Emmy-nominated Half the Sky Movement Documentary earned T&F honors in the 2012 AI-AP Motion Arts Awards, as did the company’s collaborations with advertising agency Barkley for Dice.com. Also in TV land, T&F created the opening title sequence for Adult Swim’s “Let’s Do This” from Bob Odenkirk.rnrnT&F also made important inroads with leaders at even more leading agencies, brands and not-for-profits around the world in 2012, and as a final testament to its fruitful year, in November, T&F’s "The Gift of Togetherness" spot for DDB Chicago and Ronald McDonald House Charities debuted as a key part of a major cross-media campaign aiming to raise $1 million by December 31. rnrn”We are kicking-off the new year at CES, and as things proceed, we expect design, storytelling and technology will continue to intertwine and push our talents into even more creatively challenging and unexpected places,” added Elizabeth Kiehner.rnrnFor more information on their upcoming events and all the latest news and project information, please visit www.thornbergandforester.com. rnrnAbout Thornberg & ForesterrnThornberg & Forester (T&F) is an award-winning design and digital production company that exists to bring quality, integrity and innovation to the media landscape. Our team does this by crafting stories and conveying brand messages through the most relevant mediums possible. We challenge ourselves to leverage both creativity and technology, and above all we genuinely listen to the needs of our client partners and respond with the best solutions for you. With conceptual design as our backbone, our headquarters in Manhattan and an outpost in Hollywood, we offer a complete turnkey solution for brilliant end-to-end production through delivery. Many of our clients worldwide refer to us as their secret weapon and it’s time we let you in on the secret: www.thornbergandforester.com
Roger Darnell DWA for Thornberg & Forester Phone: 1.828.264.8898 Contact Roger 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