This is a GFX commercial created for Kaplan Higher Education by the Kave Media Team.

Animator – Tom Wysocki
Designer – Rick Schuler
Sound – Dave Olson
Producer – Ross Zuchowski

Animator – Tomasz Wysocki
Sound – Dave Olson
Design – Rick Schuler
Producer – Ross Zuchowski

Update:  Telly Award Winner 2013 – Best Low Budget Commercial

Reviewing Footage

We were fortunate to secure an entire empty floor for our office space which made shooting in each room more manageable.  The piece was shot almost all handheld to feel more free and give the camera a little personality.  We were also fortunate to have another operator on set to get additional coverage.  Lighting for this particular project was provided by natural sources as the entire project was shot in a day and lighting setups would have slowed us dramatically.

Rehearsal Take

Take a look at the finished product and let me know what you think!

FULL CREDITS:
Directed by Sean Halvorsen
Written by Sean Halvorsen and Luis Alberto Perez
Produced by Luis Alberto Perez
Cast
Bill – Dave Karasik
Scooter – Mikey Vines
Lucy – Kimberly Bernal
Annabelle – Kathleen Blade – Owens
Mr. Thomas – Michael Finn
Mr. Jeffries – Matthew Weiner
Jesus the Janitor – Luis Alberto Perez
Random Dude – Sean Halvorsen
Director of Photography – Ross Zuchowski
Edited by Liz Tate

Crew
Assistant Director – Luis Alberto Perez
A Camera Operator – Ross Zuchowski
B Camera Operator– Dave King
1st Assistant Camera – Hugo Osorio
Production Sound Mixer – Nick Ray Harris
Craft Services – Sara Phillips
Sound – Noisefloor
Sound Editor – Curt Cook
Dialogue Editor – Nick Ray Harris
Music Composer – Devin Delaney
Music Composer – Kate Steinberg
Sfx Editor – Stosh Tuszynski
Foley Artist – Katie Waters
Foley Recordist – Evelyn Artega
Post Sound Supervisor – Gretchen Pitluk Coken
Sound Designer – Cory Coken
Re-Recording Mixer – Jamie Vanadia
Post – Hootenanny
Assistant Editor – Hannah Whelchel
Post Production Supervisor – Don Avila
Title Design – Graham Metzger
Online Editor – Jim Annerino
Online Assistant – Eddie Loera
Color – Nolo Digital Film
Colorist – Elliot Rudmann
Color Producer – Joe Flanagan

- Ross

The other episodes can be seen on RSNAweb’s YouTube channel or by following the links below.

EP01

EP02

EP03

Ross Zuchowski – Cinematographer

Dave Olson – Gaffer

We were lucky enough to interview some of the awardees prior to the 10th anniversary of the banquet to discuss the ongoing importance of the banquet.

We began our shoot on the 26th barely getting it in prior to the month’s end.  Other than a couple of casting snafus we came out with a product that we were very proud of.  The post vfx process was executed with mastery by Ryan Trommer who gave the commercial its final look by developing the backgrounds for our actors.

Please take a moment to watch the spot and let me know what you think.

Crew:

Producer: Ross Zuchowski

Director(s): Ross Zuchowski & Dave Olson

Cinematographer: Dave Olson

Grips: Rick Schuler, Arthur Swidzinski

Makeup Artist: Martina Sykes

DIT: Persephanie Engel

Post:

Editor: Rick Schuler

Graphics: Arthur Swidzinski (End Tag Flame Animation)

VFX/Green Sreen: Ryan Trommer

Music: Nathan Yaccino

The journey began with a rendezvous at the Nice airport in France, where I met Co- Director of Marla, Casey Lock.  Once arriving in country it was time to venture off to Cannes and to find our living quarters or so we thought.  After navigating Nice sans map, something I don’t recommend, we found the train station and departed for Cannes.  We would arrive at Cannes to discover the wonder of the festivities and general crazy crowds.  Not realizing all the while that our accommodations were back in Nice – So we were strolling around in Cannes bags and all.  (My first navigational error not my last)

So Sunday departs as the travel day we began the day walking everywhere and get our bearings all the while butchering the French language at every turn.  Monday, the first official festival day  we picked up our accreditation badges and got to introduce ourselves to people at the short film corner and walk around the Palais to see various production booths.  We tried to queue up for our first official competition screening, The Hunt, almost 2 hours early but sadly we were not let in.  We quickly learned lining up extremely early for films was the only way to see them.  This happened twice more on Monday, we saw a total of 1 film that day – one we stumbled into once we were turned away for a third time.  Thus we left the festival Monday with a screening schedule for Tuesday, determined we would plan our day out perfectly to catch at least one film.

Tuesday began much as the days before fumbling in French to order a raisin croissant and a coffee.  Making our way to the train station which we could now navigate to easily – we journeyed the half hour daily ride to Cannes.  I queued up early for You Ain’t Seen Nothin Yet“ which is setup much like a play, though this film received good reviews it was not my cup of tea.  Afterwards we were able to catch, “Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview“, which was alright but much of the footage worth watching is available on YouTube.  Overall you can’t help but be inspired to follow you passion after hearing Jobs during the interview.  Also keep in mind the interview was during his year(s) at NeXT, even then showing his level of determination after being fired from Apple.  We were then off to see White Elephant which is an intense film focusing on the perils of being slum priests.  If you have ever seen City of God you will understand the dim picture this film portrays if not strap yourself in and prepare to for a visceral look at slum life and faith.

Wednesday the rained stopped – (sidebar: it had been raining the past two days) This made it hard to want to be inside watching films when the sun came out France came to life even more so then it was already.  The beach became packed with people sun tanning and just generally enjoying the weather.  So time to wait in more lines for the next film, Killing Them Softly,  I very much enjoyed this film about washed up criminals messing with the wrong people, Brad Pitt.  To be honest he plays the  hit man type well, brought in to dispatch two guys that robbed an underground gaming ring; hats off Greig Fraser for the camera work it looked great.  After I was able to meet up with another filmmaker and friend of mine Arthur Swidzinski and Tomas Wysocki, they also had a short at the festival, White Walls.  We tried to wait for another film but ended up getting pushed out due to the film being restricted access.  This was a general theme for the festival anyone with lower credentials would essentially waste time waiting for a film only to see more “important” people stroll to the front of the line 2 minutes before the movie taking your seat.

Other than general meandering around Cannes and Nice that was the trip.  The parts I’m allowed to talk about anyway – Sometimes what happens in Cannes stays in Cannes.