Every now and then you’re given a script that’s extraordinary—we call it high concept. To us extraordinary means you gasp just a bit when you read the payoff.
There’s something about it that’s unique, intriguing, or just flat out unexpected.
When you get the chance to direct one of THOSE spots the execution has to work—it can’t fall short. You’ve got to deliver on the promise.
Hopefully, you pull it off even better than expected.
Hmmm—that’s not easy, but it’s very cool when you do.
For us, the opposite of silly and slapstick is smart. And nothing kills smart like dumb. It seems counterintuitive but those two opposites are much closer than you think. Commercial production often narrows that gap.
SMART TAKES RESTRAINT.
SMART TAKES BRAINS.
SMART IS…well, SMART.
If you do it wrong it’s like holding hands with a clown…it feels funny.
If you do it right it’s like driving a mountain road in the morning while listening to Here Comes the Sun on the stereo.
If you’re going to humor it better be funny. If you’re going to do horror it better be scary. And if you’re going to do lifestyle it better be real.
That’s it. Done and done.
If you’re working with pros you better hire pros. When the stakes are high you gotta bring your ‘A’ game. People distinguish themselves as professionals because they’ve practiced, studied, and developed the skills that allow them to compete at the highest level.
Pros recognize pros. They can easily spot others who have done the same thing in their field. It’s demonstrated in the way they handle themselves, their preparation, and their ability to make something very difficult look easy.
We work with some of the best talent anywhere—crew who have distinguished themselves as exceptional at their craft. Combine that with centuries of collective experience and you’ve got pros working with pros.
In case you’re wondering—here’s just a few: Steve Young, John Stockton, Joe Ingles, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Nolan Ryan, Kyle Beckerman, Karl Malone, Laird Hamilton, Bode Miller, Nick Rimondo, Nigel Barker, Bart Starr, and internationally renowned chefs: Daniel Boulud, Stephanie Izard, Daniel Humm, Eric Ripert, Thomas Keller, and Marcus Samuelsson
“KIDS—ANIMALS—and SFX! That’s what you always hear—but we think you’ll find you can take kids off the list if you work with us.
That’s right—kids don’t scare us. In fact, working with them is one of the things we do best. Our experience spans decades. We worked with kids who now have kids. That’s crazy—but it’s true.
The best part is they like us too. it’s pretty simple - we gain their trust, have some fun, and put them in a position to feel safe and be themselves. Go ahead and ask the parent of any kid that’s worked with us.
If you don’t believe us, we did a little film called Unitards a few years back that featured real kids—high school kids. Here’s what some others thought of our effort.
BEST MUSICAL FILM: International Family Film Festival
BEST FEATURE FILM: Santa Clarita Film Festival
BEST FEATURE FINALIST: KidsFirst International Film Festival
BEST OF FEST: Official Selection
BEST FEATURE FILM: Fallbrook Film Festival
AWARD OF MERIT: International Accolade Awards
Addiction.
It’s not an easy thing to talk about. People are pretty guarded. It’s not something you mention in those ‘get acquainted’ games at parties.
It’s even harder to face up to it if you’re the addict. It’s scary. It’s embarrassing. What’s going to happen?
And how do you talk to someone when you know they need help?
Well—we took a stab at it. Here’s a short piece we wrote, produced, and directed as an introduction to “What to Expect at a 12-step Recovery Program.”
PROJECT LISTEN.
An internet content series celebrating the virtues of listening by featuring people and stories with unique perspectives on using your ears for more than just hearing.
Over 10 million combined views.
Not 15 second views.
Not even 30 second views.
Three to five minute views.
And that’s the difference between push and pull messaging.
Make people smile.
Make people sigh.
Make people happy.
Just don’t make it dumb!
B-roll!
Maybe the most hackneyed production term of the last decade.
B-roll!
It ranges from lazy and pedestrian to breathtaking.
Documentary is so much more than interviews and B-roll. The difference between average and great relies on the questions you ask and the images you frame. When it’s done right it’s as compelling as any medium out there…just ask Mister Rogers.
UNITARDS: Santa Clarita Film Fest/Best Feature Film, The International Family Film Festival of Los Angeles/Best Musical Film, BEST OF FEST/Official Selection, KIDSFirst Film Festival/Finalist for Best Feature Film, Accolade Award, Foursite Film Festival/Best Direction, Fallbrook Film Festival/Best Feature Film
KOKORO: THE HEART WITHIN (10-Part documentary aired nationally on PBS and internationally on Discovery Network) Two National EMMY nominations, New York Film Festival/Gold & Silver Medals
SAME RIVER TWICE: Palm Springs International Film Fest/Official Selection, Minneapolis Film Fest/Official Selection, Atlanta Film Fest/O.S., Breckenridge International FF/O.S., World Fest/O.S., Marco Island FF/O.S.
HOLD ON TO HOPE: New York Film Festival Bronze Medal/Best Director - International non-broadcast media
RETURN TO THE SECRET GARDEN: International Family Film Festival: BEST OF SHOW
COMMERCIAL AWARDS INCLUDE: Clio Awards, International Broadcast Awards, New York Film Fest Medals, Mobius Awards, Chicago Film Festival Medal, London Film Festival Medal, National Addy Awards, National Andy Awards, Telly Awards, and many regional Addy awards.
Best of Salt Lake City Awards: 2013 - 2017
This page is dedicated to the best of the old stuff.
Every few months we’ll feature work done in decades past and honor some the best work done for some of the best clients ever.
GUS PAULOS.
We shot well over a hundred spots for Gus. He was a one of a kind. A guy who sold lots of cars, loved a good joke, and expected the best work in town.
He wanted a brand that was unforgettable and he found just the guy to do it— Dave Thomas.
For years, Gus’s head bobbed through the bottom of our TV sets. The funny this is it was never actually Gus’s head…it was Dave’s.
With the help of the creative teams of Evans Advertising and ThomasArts we created arguably the best brand this town has ever had.
The work won Clios, IBAs, Mobius Awards, Addys, and NYFF awards.
Not bad for a short guy with a local dealership in West Valley.
Here’s just a small sampling of spots from just one campaign.
Sure— other Gus entries will follow. They’re just toooo good.
