• Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2024
Ex-BBC Studios VP Simon Shelley joins Hi Impact as chief commercial officer
Simon Shelley
LONDON -- 

Hi Impact Studio has appointed Simon Shelley, former global VP of BBC Studios, as chief commercial officer.

In this newly created position, Shelley will drive the global growth of Hi Impact, creating and curating stories that matter for audiences across the world to elevate major events and organizations. He will work closely with founders Andrew Cryan and Max McGill.

Founded in 2021, Hi Impact, a premium supplier of live-streaming at events, has offices in London and Dubai; it recently completed the production of 75 simultaneous live broadcast locations at COP28, bringing the solutions to the climate crisis to millions of viewers.

With traditional news media viewing figures and revenues falling, there is an ever-increasing role for events to fill the gap online, helping to explain the complex issues in society and find solutions to them. At COP28, Hi Impact’s partners saw their online audiences on average being over 50x larger than those watching in person.

At BBC Studios, Shelley formed the multi-award-winning program partnerships division, evolving the way brands tell stories. During his five-and-a-half years at the BBC, he oversaw the rapid growth of BBC.com series, focusing on issues that are shaping society, partnering with the likes of WWF, WHO, UN, CES, Google, L’Oreal, Airbnb, Cisco, Mastercard, eBay, Nintendo and more, to develop content strategies that put viewers’ first.

Shelley has brought depth to themes across climate, health, fashion, sport, music and technology to viewers in over 150 countries, but also charted the effect that powerful storytelling can have on us with a study of over 500 films on social media, correlating the traits of the best performing pieces in terms of viewing rates, comments, and shares. This experience will combine with the television backgrounds of Cryan and creative director Max McGill who have collectively produced flagship BBC programs such as Sunday Politics, Daily Politics, BBC London News and BBC Breakfast.

Shelley said, “Inspiring stories and indispensable content can make audiences think, feel, or do something, but the way in which these stories are captured and curated must be taken to a new level to meet viewers’ ever-changing expectations. I’m thrilled to be joining the immensely talented team at Hi Impact as they innovate major event coverage and create TV formats that connect deeply with audiences. My time at BBC Studios was very special, it’s a place brimming with creativity and ambition. I’m incredibly grateful for the firm friends made and immensely proud of the stories told.”

  • Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2024
Maxine Gervais joins Harbor as sr. colorist
Maxine Gervais
LOS ANGELES -- 

Postproduction studio Harbor has added Maxine Gervais as sr. colorist.

Gervais has garnered two Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) Award nominations for Outstanding Color Grading – Feature Film, for her work on Hughes Brothers’ “The Book of Eli,” and Guillermo del Toro’s “Pacific Rim.” Gervais made Hollywood history as the first woman to receive an HPA Award for Outstanding Color Grading for Albert Hughes’ “Alpha.” Gervais’ credits include Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther,” Clint Eastwood’s “Cry Macho,” Peacock’s “The Continental: From the World of John Wick,” Netflix’s “The Brothers Sun,” Universal Pictures’ “Strays,” and Sundance Grand Jury Prize Winner, “A Thousand and One” directed by A.V. Rockwell. 

With a background in classical arts, Gervais earned her B.A. in visual art from Laval University in Quebec, demonstrating her passion for creative expression through color and technology. Recognizing the potential applications in the digital world, she furthered her education by obtaining a post-graduate certificate in computer technology for cinema and television. Gervais is also an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). 

Gervais stated, “Like John Alton’s book ‘Painting with Light’ describes, a colorist paints with colors, shadows, and contrast to help define and spotlight the beauty of the captured images by the cinematographer. This is done to enhance the desired mood, feel, and direction of the film. I’ve been fortunate to have collaborated with amazing filmmakers for a long time now and am excited to continue doing so at Harbor.”

  • Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2024
11 Dollar Bill hires James Babiarz as exec producer
James Babiarz
CHICAGO, BOULDER & RALEIGH -- 

James Babiarz has joined 11 Dollar Bill as executive producer at its home studio in Chicago. A 12-year industry veteran with deep ties to the Chicago advertising community, Babiarz will oversee current projects, direct sales, recruit talent and pursue opportunities for growth. He spent the previous six years at The Mill, Chicago, where he recently produced work for the NHL, U.S Army, Jeep and Frito-Lay.

11 Dollar Bill managing director Del Feltz said that it was apparent from their first meeting that Babiarz was the ideal choice. “It wasn’t just a professional fit, he shared our work philosophy on a personal level,” Feltz explained. “He has a passion for the Chicago advertising industry and his take on postproduction resonated perfectly with what we all believe at 11 Dollar Bill.”

As a new member of 11 Dollar Bill’s leadership team, Babiarz will help formulate a strategy for growing the company through diversifying services, exploring new markets and adding new talent and resources. “I love 11 Dollar Bill’s focus on the local market,” Babiarz said. “I’ve been part of the Chicago advertising industry for 12 years and I’m very passionate about it. I’m looking forward to bringing great projects to 11 Dollar Bill, helping the company grow and being here for a long, long time.”

Babiarz is a Chicago native and a graduate of Columbia College with a degree in film production. He began his career with Method Studios and spent four years at the design studio Sarofsky. He joined The Mill as a producer in 2018 and was later promoted to head of production, then executive producer. His memorable projects include “Barbie’s Dream House” for Rocket Mortgage, which ran during the Super Bowl in 2022, and “Groundhog Day” (featuring Bill Murray) for Jeep, a Super Bowl spot in 2020, as well as the music video “Potion” featuring Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa. Babiarz’s experience as a producer spans production, editorial, post, design and visual effects.

  • Monday, Mar. 4, 2024
Sr. colorist Matt Osborne shifts over to Company 3's NY studio
Matt Osborne
NEW YORK -- 

Sr. colorist Matt Osborne has moved from Company 3’s Los Angeles studio to become a part of its talented New York roster. 

Osborne brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the East Coast team, boasting a portfolio spanning commercials, music videos, and feature films. He has helped bring music videos to life for top-level acts, including Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa and Drake.

Throughout his career, Osborne has collaborated with renowned directors, including Darren Aronofsky, Theodore Melfi, and Warren Fu. Osborne has also left his mark on projects for brands such as Google, Nike, Amazon, and Lexus. His diverse skillset allows him to adapt seamlessly to any creative vision, consistently delivering visually stunning results. Most recently, he collaborated with director Park Chan Wook on the upcoming war drama series for HBO produced by A24, The Sympathizer

“We’re honored to welcome Matt to our New York family,” said Stefan Sonnenfeld, CEO of Company 3. “His exceptional talent and collaborative spirit are a perfect fit for our dynamic team, and we’re excited to see him contribute to groundbreaking projects across all genres.” 

“I’m excited to embark on this new chapter with Company 3 New York,” Osborne shared. “The energy and creativity in this city are inspiring, and I look forward to working with the talented team here to push the boundaries of color grading.” 

  • Monday, Mar. 4, 2024
MADRE hires Paulina Zuluaga as exec producer
Paulina Zuluaga
LOS ANGELES -- 

Paulina Zuluaga is the newest executive producer at bilingual production company MADRE. She returns to the production house side after a tenure as sr. producer at Latino agency Conill Advertising. 

Born in Medellín, Colombia, and raised in Miami, Zuluaga began her career by joining In & Out Productions, producing work for brands like Volkswagen and Dish Network. She later joined Letca Films as an executive producer. She’s produced spots for brands like Jeep, Lincoln, Spectrum, Halls, LabCorp, Univision and many more. Most recently, at Conill Advertising, she worked with accounts like T-Mobile, Burger King, and Toyota. 

Jonathon Ker, owner and managing director of MADRE, said, “Paulina is a clear communicator and a good listener--both essential assets for an EP. She’s empathetic and an artist at heart, so she has excellent taste and knows how to collaborate with creative talent in a very immersive way. At the same time, her agency experience is invaluable; her fluency with every facet of production makes her an asset to MADRE.”

  • Monday, Mar. 4, 2024
Editor Dan de Winter joins The Den 
Dan de Winter
LOS ANGELES -- 

Editor Dan de Winter is now globally represented by The Den Editorial. The L.A.-based editor actually began his career in San Francisco where he studied cinematography and motion graphics at the Academy of Arts. His first job following graduation was with the ad agency Cutwater, where he served as an assistant editor. Since then, he’s been a rostered editor at edit houses Rock Paper Scissors and Work Editorial. De Winter’s breakout film LeBron: Uninterrupted for Samsung was edited on set to match the seamless transitions envisioned by director Andreas Nilsson. The film went on to win a Clio Award for Best Film Craft. Additionally, de Winter edited another Clio Award winner, the short film “Nzingha,” directed by Anderson Wright, which follows African American fencer Nzingha Prescod on her journey to the Rio Summer Olympics. 

De Winter’s work spans a diverse range of genres. On the short-form side, de Winter has cut commercials for brands like Sprite, FanDuel, Nike, and Jordan, and music videos for artists such as Common, Jorja Smith, Marvin Gaye, and IDK featuring Offset.

The editor’s long-form work includes season three of the Netflix series Untold, a sports anthology series. De Winter also cut the documentary The Heart Still Hums, directed by Savanah Leaf and Taylor Russell. The documentary, which follows mothers battling cycles of homelessness, neglect, and drug abuse as they fight for their children, won Best Short Documentary at the Palm Springs Film Festival.

 

  • Monday, Mar. 4, 2024
Jenni Sprunger joins RSA Films as executive producer
Jenni Sprunger
LOS ANGELES -- 

RSA Films has brought Jenni Sprunger aboard its team as executive producer.  Sprunger brings two decades of cross-disciplinary production expertise to RSA, along with a well-honed ability and passion for collaborating closely with directors and agencies on innovative creative and production solutions.

Prior to joining RSA, Sprunger was an executive producer at Bullitt where she collaborated with brands and agencies on campaigns for State Farm, PetSmart, TaylorMade and Tinder, among others, and partnered closely with Marvel on many award-winning projects. She was also a bidding producer at Biscuit Filmworks and brand-side producer for Microsoft/XBox where she managed all phases of live action production, animation, postproduction and live event production for the company’s business groups. 

“Jenni is an unflappable EP with an expert ability to navigate production opportunities of any scale,” said Luke Ricci, president of RSA Films U.S. “In our previous collaborations, she’s proven herself as an indispensable partner to agencies, brands and directors, always pushing to make creative work better at every step of the way. I’m overjoyed to welcome her to our team at RSA.”

“Luke is a powerhouse in our industry and someone I’ve always enjoyed working with,” said Sprunger. “I really admire his ability to be on the forefront of what’s new and what’s coming, which is essential. RSA has a legacy of great work and I’m thrilled with the opportunity to be part of the company. I look forward to collaborating with our talented directors and being a valuable partner to agencies and brands.”

  • Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024
Picture Shop adds sr. colorist Sam Daley to its roster
Sam Daley
LOS ANGELES -- 

Picture Shop, Streamland Media's picture division, has brought sr. colorist Sam Daley aboard its global roster. Daley has nearly 25 years of experience working on series such as HBO’s “Succession” and Amazon’s “Dead Ringers,” and features including “The Florida Project,” “Sorry to Bother You,” “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” and “Barbarian.”

Cara Sheppard, president of Picture Shop, said of Daley, “He is tremendously talented, and his experience and artistry will only further bolster Picture Shop’s creative expertise.”

Daley has been nominated for Hollywood Professional Association Awards (HPA) for Outstanding Color Grading in Documentary/Nonfiction for “Descendant” (2023) and for Outstanding Color Grading in Television for “Show Me a Hero.” His list of credits includes the feature films “Earth Mama,” “Charm City Kings,” “Sanctuary,” “Swallow” and “Beirut.”  Recent episodic credits include “Gossip Girl,” “I’m A Virgo,” “Station Eleven,” “Scenes From a Marriage,” “Harlan Coben’s Shelter,” and “I Know This Much Is True.” Daley is an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). Prior to joining Picture Shop, he was at Light Iron and Company 3.

“I’m excited to be at a company with the scope and global footprint of Picture Shop,” said Daley. “I can continue to collaborate with the filmmakers I work with as they take their talents throughout the continent and across the pond.”

In addition to its New York facility, Picture Shop locations include Los Angeles, Toronto, and Vancouver with international locations in the U.K. that include London, Manchester, Bristol, Wales, and Pinewood Studios.

  • Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024
Modern Post adds colorist Taylor Schafer
Taylor Schafer
NEW YORK -- 

Bicoastal postproduction studio Modern Post has added colorist Taylor Schafer to its roster of creative talent. Bringing almost a decade of experience in the post industry, Taylor has made a career journey that includes roles as an assistant editor at AMC Networks and as both an assistant editor and colorist at Uppercut. Notably, she pioneered and expanded the color department, becoming that company’s first colorist. Schafer’s portfolio includes collaborations with brands such as Volvo, Meta, Verizon, MLB, Oscar de la Renta, Dockers, and Victoria’s Secret.

Schafer noted, “Modern Post has grown their finishing department a lot over the past year and I’m thrilled to contribute to the color team. The opportunity to work alongside another colorist and bounce ideas off each other is amazing.”

“Taylor’s work fits in beautifully with the Modern Post style and aesthetic. She is able to work alongside our team of editors to elevate their creative vision with the subtle art of color,” said Modern Post managing director Charlyn Derrick. “It’s also really exciting for us to bring on a female colorist. Having visibility across all levels and types of roles is something that is extremely important to us.”

  • Friday, Feb. 23, 2024
Jamie Slade joins 11 Dollar Bill as exec producer
Jamie Slade
CHICAGO, BOULDER & RALEIGH -- 

11 Dollar Bill has hired ad industry vet Jamie Slade as executive producer at its Boulder studio. Slade, whose background includes a post as sr. producer with Crispin Porter+Bogusky, will oversee production and head sales for the postproduction studio, which specializes in creative design, editing and finishing for advertising, branded content and other media.

“Jamie’s energy, enthusiasm, and versatile experience will fit in perfectly at 11 Dollar Bill and our long-term plan for continued growth and success,” said managing partner Lisa Effress. “In addition to being super talented and goal-oriented, Jamie is also one of the nicest guys around.”

Slade is well known to 11 Dollar Bill. He partnered with the studio as a freelance producer on several recent projects. He also worked with Effress and the studio’s creative lead Wayde Samuel when they were all on staff at Crispin Porter+Bogusky. “This opportunity came up at the perfect time for me,” Slade said. “11 Dollar Bill has cultivated great talent and is producing inspired work. It’s where I want to be for the long term.”

Slade has been an executive producer and producer, primarily on the agency side, for more than a decade. For the past three years, he has been a freelancer on projects for Colorado agencies Red Antler (Hasbro, Peppa Pig), Mekanism (Sling TV) and Fortnight Collective (Noodles & Co., Steamboat Springs Resort). He also produced for global agency 72andSunny (Carl’s Jr., Trojan Condoms), and McCann, New York (Converse, MGM Grand, Aria Hotels).

During his nine-year tenure at Crispin Porter+Bogusky, Slade contributed to multiple accounts including Fruit of the Loom, Jose Cuervo and Infiniti. He was sr. producer on the agency’s Captain Obvious campaign for Hotels.com. As integrated producer, he was involved in its award-winning work for Kraft Mac & Cheese. He also contributed to the global launch of Xbox One.

“The best producers can read a room instantly, navigate issues, manage tough feedback and keep the team positive,” Slade said. “My role is to stay focused and solutions oriented.”

Slade’s experience as a producer dates to his college days at the University of Oregon when he produced music videos for local bands, some of which attracted viral engagement of more than a million views. “I didn’t realize at the time that this was going to be my career,” he recalled. “I did it because it was fun.”

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