Because of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, many brands and agencies have been forced to alter or cancel their productions. It’s led to many directors shooting families or close friends for a spot. Or just using a powerful all-type execution such as Nike’s “Don’t Do It” and Procter & Gamble’s “The Look”. But, what if a director’s family isn’t available for a shoot? This means other forms such as animation or motion graphics must be considered. However as common as the forms are, many brands and agencies have not traveled into that territory.
As advertisers, we all know, great ideas live or die by the quality of their execution. According Roger Smythe, co-founder of international multi-disciplinary production company Masters & Savant, the company’s philosophy is to work with the most creative, cost appropriate production and post-production talent.
The company, with offices and studios in Cape Town and Johannesburg, manages in-house artists, represented talent, subcontracted specialist suppliers tailored suit each clients unique requirements.
Says Smythe, “Our core capability is integrated production management. We produce everything from beautifully crafted single delivery productions to high-volume international brand accounts with deliverables across any moving or static media.
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In addition to the internal teams, M&S also represents South Africa’s top production and post-production creative talent both locally and abroad. This includes animation directors, live-action directors, CG supervisors, film production companies, motion-graphics studios, VFX vendors.
“We also work with specialized shoot, sound and print related suppliers we have built powerful relationships with over the last 18 years,” Smythe shares.
He adds, “Our international clients love our english first-language and Western business culture, business friendly timezone, favorable exchange rate and easy online approvals.”
Below are examples of styles that can be produced in the 2 to 4 week production time ranging from $9,000 to $40,000:
1. Illustration & Animation
Nederburg Marvel – 15” spot
Turnaround time: 2 weeks
2. Illustration-based Animation
Savanna “Blackbeard” – Brand film for internal use
Turnaround time: 3 weeks
3. Illustration-based Motion Graphics
MMI Ignite – Internal video for company staff portal
Turnaround time: 3 weeks
4. Stock Footage & Simple 3D
Verizon – Always Connected – TVC
Turnaround time: 3.5 weeks
5. Motion Graphics
Design Indaba – Creativity Can
Turnaround time: 3.5 weeks
6. 3D Liquid Simulation
Ghirardelli Caramel Squares – TVC end sequence
Turnaround time: 4 weeks
7. Motion Graphics
General Electric – The Industrial Internet is here
Turnaround time: 4 weeks
8. 2D Animation
SASSI – WWF sustainable fishing
Turnaround time: 4 weeks for the animation, 8 weeks for print
Masters and Savant is repped by Liz Laine Reps in the United States and Canada, the source of this article.
Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1
