One at Optimus Martin Agency spots urge teens not to text and drive

Otto Arsenault of One at Optimus, L.A.

ONE AT OPTIMUS produced two pro bono spots for client The Martin Agency of Richmond, Va. to run on Project Yellow Light’s website.  The spots’ purpose is to inspire teens to be responsible behind the wheel – specifically “don’t text and drive.”  

It also encourages teens to create their own spots that persuade their peers to drive safely.

The Martin Agency launched Project Yellow Light after VP Julie Garner’s 16 year old son, Hunter, was killed in a car accident in 2007. “The website was started to keep Hunter’s name alive and spread the word about safe driving,” Garner said.

Otto Arsenault of ONE at Optimus’ L.A. branch directed and edited; Amanda Speva wrote, Sarah Slevin produced, Mark Pallman was DP.  Optimus’ Joel Anderson was the audio engineer.    

Foodgasm host and producer Ashley SimoneETTA WORTHINGTON of Fernwork Productions is launching the web series Foodgasm, a cooking show that emphasizes the sensuality of food as well as specialty diets, co-produced and hosted by her daughter, Ashley Simone. 

They’ve shot five four-minute episodes and the series will premiere later this month.

Says Worthington: “This web cooking show pays attention to special diets such as pescetarian, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and shows that tasty, appealing, healthy food can be prepared to satisfy anyone’s palate.” 

Worthington is a screenwriter, filmmaker and Columbia College instructor. Simone is a former Ringling Brothers dancer and current culinary student at the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago.  

ELEPHANT FILMWORKS, based in Pilsen and Los Angeles, launched the eight-episode teen drama web series “The Lines” for Allstate’s “Teen Driver” microsite, co-directed and co-edited by Kipp Norman and his brother KC.    

“The Lines” is “compelling, serialized dramatic content with a message” warning teens about distracted driving, says Kipp Norman.  Peter Williams is executive producer.

See elephantfilmworks.com

Calabash's “Everybody Flies” Lucky Charms spotCALABASH ANIMATION has produced the first 3D TV spot for General Mills’ Lucky Charms breakfast cereal, “Everybody Flies,” for Saatchi & Saatchi, New York.

Calabash has produced 2D Lucky Charms spots for 20 years, and made the move to 3D to appeal to children who are more familiar with CGI than they are with traditional cel animation.  

Producer Sean Henry says the evolution in their animation techniques allowed Calabash to apply lighting and camera effects that were cost-prohibitive in 2D.

SPI-TV MEDIA GROUP shot six spots – three in Spanish, three in English — for CEDA (Cook County Community and Economic Development Association) featuring an animated character, “Bricky Ray,” a small red brick house that talks.  

The subject was CEDA’s weatherization program: replacement of inefficient furnaces and insulation, smoke and carbon dioxide detectors and safety testing.

The 2D character was designed in 2D Paul Patterson, CEDA’s weatherization public relations coordinator.  “We animated it and gave it a voice,” says Rogelio Gazga, partner with James Demas in the 16-year old production company.

See SPI-tv.com