Hotspur and Argyle

Filmmaking polymath Richard Swarbrick has just completed this music video for about-to-explode young prodigies the China Rats. Famed for his ethereal animations often on a sporting theme this live action piece represents a departure. But like all consummate cineastes, Swarbrick starts with an idea and then finds the techniques to serve it. In this case he wanted to create a film where the face of a band member always occupied the dead centre of the frame. Using an ingenious (and secret) combination of After Effects techniques he created just that with the subtly remarkable results you can see by clicking above.

While shooting in East London a passing motor-cyclist stopped to watch proceedings and came over for a chat between set ups revealing himself to be none other than legendary Canadian rocker Bryan Adams. His complimentary and encouraging observations were grist to the mill and the simmering excitement behind the band may be about to reach boiling pint with release of this instant new wave/pop classic – title: ‘To Be Like I’ – and a smattering of upcoming live dates, details of which can be found on the band’s website. Richard’s cinematographer was Ciro Candia, Amy Philpott worked with him on After Effects and additional cinematography came courtesy of Haarala Hamilton Photography & Lucy Watkins.

This extraordinary 30 second teaser for the new Modonut album ‘Modonut2’ is the latest in a long line of unique offerings from Les Freres Moustache.. The fabulous Frenchmen have long harboured the idea of combining 3D and 2D animation and video with hand drawn rotoscopy – a complicated process with the promise of wondrous results. Modonut’s ‘Sweetheart’ – its old-school feel conjuring images of traditional marine tattoos – provided the trigger. Two months of rough animation followed by work on paper, clean-up, scans to computer, colours and final post production produced the remarkable animation you can see above. Les Freres are currently working on a flip book version that will accompany the vinyl LP release.

In between collecting more awards for Channel 4 comedy ‘Fresh Meat’, David C. Kerr’s busy commercials schedule continues with a new series of romantic comedy ads for LateRooms.com. The campaign follows the developing relationship of a young couple from an initial encounter in a hotel corridor through to marriage and kids and everything in between. David’s trademark mastery of narrative and humour are in evidence throughout as he draws deft performances from lead actors Susy Kane and James Woolridge. The idea was conceived at BMB by creatives Nathalie Turton and Lorelei Mathias and the films’ beautiful lighting came courtesy of DP Tat Radcliffe. Editor was the legendary Sam Sneade of Speade, James Bolton produced for BMB and Adam Lyne took charge for Hotspur and Argyle. Meticulously applied graphics and online by The Mill.

To watch the first commercial in the campaign click the transvestite.

We are hugely excited to announce the addition of multimedia collective Blind to the Hotspur & Argyle roster. Set up in 1995 Blind have crafted beautiful campaigns for clients like Sony, Honda, Amnesty International, Volkswagen and Xbox 360. World class practitioners in 2D and 3D animation, AFX, Editorial, Live Action, Vfx stop motion, CGI and motion graphics, Blind’s best known UK commercial to date is the widely lauded Imagination for the Audi A7, a stylised journey through the mind of an automotive designer for BBH that was inducted into the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Click the still from Imagination above to see Blind’s current reel.

As well as work across commercials, broadcast, film, web and branding they have made stunning music videos for the likes of Gnarls Barkley, The Raveonettes and Justin Timberlake which can be seen by clicking the stills below.

Blind’s countless awards include two Creative Arts Emmy’s from the Television Academy of Arts & Sciences, numerous Promax BDA awards, Addy’s and Telly’s and a D&AD pencil for their title sequence for the short film Crank Calls.

So you can see why we’re excited…

Richard Swarbrick- renowned for beautifully immortalising British sports icons like Gareth Bale, Wayne Rooney, Stuart Broad and Andy Murray – has turned his attentions to the NBA and one of its biggest stars. Luol Deng plays small forward for the Chicago Bulls but the British theme continues because he will also be a key member of the Team GB basketball squad at the forthcoming London Olympics. Richard’s unique style has gone down a storm in America where Deng himself has been distributing it’s YouTube link via twitter.

It’s all happening for the ever-industrious animator who created the Hotspur & Argyle Christmas card, recently featured on ITV’s Ad Of The Year show with his Sun campaign and is currently immersed in several new projects.

The Directors and staff of Hotspur & Argyle wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Please click Santa for a salutary salutation. (Play loud).

UPDATE: ‘FRESH MEAT’ HAS WON THE BEST NEW BRITISH TV COMEDY PRIZE IN THE BRITISH COMEDY AWARDS 2011. CONGRATULATIONS DAVID!

The brilliant ‘Fresh Meat’ has been nominated as “Best New British TV Comedy”, “Best Comedy Drama”, and “Best Comedy Actor” (Jack Whitehall) in this year’s British Comedy Awards. This pleases us greatly because Fresh Meat’s lead director is our own David C. Kerr. Tune in to Channel 4 on Friday at 9pm to see how he gets on.

David C. Kerr, back from a stint directing the highly acclaimed ‘Fresh Meat’ for Channel 4, has plunged head first into a frenzy of commercials making. First up, this charming comedy of confusion for Tesco and the latest ‘Call of Duty’ game, described in the Daily Telegraph as ‘the biggest entertainment launch of all time in any medium’ (!). Characteristically deft handling of casting and performance are in evidence alongside classy photography from Ray Coates and editing from Simon Willcox at Loaded Dice. The script was conceived by Red Brick Road’s Anthea Goodrick and Rose Lang, agency producer was Ben Honour and Adam Lyne produced for Hotspur & Argyle.

As more gadget-obsessed readers will know, the long awaited launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Note – a game-changing cross between a smart phone and an iPad – is upon us. And, fittingly, adorning its website are demo films that elevate the whole genre to a new level of polish and panache. Director Theo Delaney, production designer Toby Stevens and DP Theo Garland converted one colossal floor of a brand new Greenwich office block into a contemporary airport terminal complete with lounge, departure gate and coffee outlet before filming the story of an enthusiastic Galaxy Note user who shows curious fellow travelers its remarkable capabilities. The films were conceived at Partners Andrews Aldridge by creatives Carole Eppleston and Helen Sharp, creative directors were Paul Snoxell and Dan Northover.