RADAR STUDIOS has formed a partnership with L.A.’s Eden FX, a leading high-end provider of 3D, compositing, digital environment, animation and conceptual design for features, TV shows and commercials.
By working together, says Radar EP Graham Gangi, “Each company will be able to offer a broader range of capacity and service to its existing clients, and the partnership will offer each company a chance to branch out into new areas of work.”
Award-winning Eden FX, a Point.360 company, was founded by VFX artist John Gross in 2000 and has a lengthy list of TV show (“Lost,” “24,” “Community,” “NCIS,” “Ghost Whisperer,” “Fringe”) and features (“Benjamin Button,” “Spiderman 3,” “The Social Network”).
The introduction was made by Chicago native Fred Pienkos, Eden FX VFX superior/senior digital artist, who’d worked with Radar on several projects before moving to L.A. “But it was Radar’s work and approach that made the connection click,” says Gross.
Gross, who has cofounded and run two previous high-profile effects houses, complimented Radar on its “excellent work,” adding, “after talking with everyone there, I found we had a very simpatico relationship. We understood each other because we’ve had similar experiences throughout the business.”
Radar-Eden FX is the third link-up in recent months with an out-of-town VFX company. DeLuxe Entertainment opened Method and Company branches here in July as an adjunct to Beast Editorial, while Teri Rogers’ Kansas City-based T2 collaboratively teamed with Bryan Bullock and John McGrath’s re:think studios, celebrating their first anniversary this month.
ANOTHER TEAM EFFORT brought Leo Burnett, Digitas, Milwaukee-based Logan Productions and Utopic together for a Sprint/Galaxy S III spot, now airing. Jan Maitland edited the 30-second spot, with images of a girl as she ages from infancy.
NBC’S “CHICAGO FIRE” PREMIERE on Oct. 10 will get a great sendoff here at a party being planned by SAG AFTRA’s Kathy Byrne at Market Restaurant and Bar, 1113 W. Randolph (same place where people gather on Friday night to watch “Boss” episodes).
The series stars Jesse Spencer, Taylor Kinney, Eamonn Walker, Teri Reeves, Gabriela Dawson Peter Mills, Leslie Shay, and Christopher Herrmann. Coming from producer Dick Wolf, “Fire” could be another of his TV staples. To wit: Wolf’s NBC “Law and Order” aired for 20 years and “Law and Order SVU” began its 14th season last Saturday. We can only hope.
AVI SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE Oct. 17-18 offers something for everyone: 60-plus manufacturers exhibiting the latest in state-of-the-art AV, telepresence and broadcast technology.
Nineteen seminars are scheduled, led by experts on every aspect of AV, including those from RGB Spectrum, Crestron, Smart Tech, Listen Tech, AJA, Atlas Sound and AVI Systems. At Venue One, 1044 W. Randolph, starting at 9 a.m. on both days. Door prizes, seminars, lunch and valet parking are free to attendees.
IN MEMORIAM. Chicago comedic actor, writer, director Second City performer and teacher Ira Miller, 72, died of cancer Sept. 23 in Los Angeles. He began acting in his teens performing in coffee houses and nightclubs around Chicago, leading to joining Second City in 1967 and appearing in its Chicago and New York clubs.
As an actor, Mr. Miller appeared in eight of Mel Brooks’ features, other features and TV movies. He also wrote and co-wrote episodes of popular TV sitcoms and hosted popular L.A. radio shows.
His long tenure as a teacher at Second City was recently recognized with an honorary plaque – only the third person in Second City’s 60 year history to receive one. The plaque thanked his for his dedication to teaching and acknowledged his many talents.
Arrangements for local memorial services are pending. Donations in Ira Miller’s name may be made to the Los Angeles Jewish Family Services and Project Angel Food.
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