The “Flowers” campaign for Dove and O&M Advertising features time-lapse photography.

Charde agrees and believes the reel will not only attract a greater volume of work but the kind of work that sets Global Mechanic apart from the specialty producers. “I think that, whether they acknowledge it or even know it, agencies need to work with companies that have that energy, that have the cross-pollination of artists and filmmakers. That’s where the more interesting stuff is coming from, at least in animation and effects.” Charde, who formerly served as exec producer and general manager of Olive Jar Studios in Boston and later as a svp at Euro RSCG, adds that this is an important aspect of the company’s growth. “It’s just as much about the work as it is about the contractors and the employees and the artists who work with us. It’s about attracting interesting work from clients. It’s creating an environment where the workers and the suppliers are all of the same mindset.”

Coming up with creative solutions is a large part of Global Mechanics business. Alcock points out, “They (clients) have got an idea, but they don’t know how to present it. Or, they’ve got an idea that they’re kind of iffy about and they say, ‘Look, how would you do it?’ And we’ll come up with an alternative.” Charde believes that it’s a blending of the various techniques that leads to more creative solutions. “We’re designers who can animate; we’re animators who can design. We know live action; we shoot live action. We’re a true mixed-media business.” And once a solution is reached, the company has the wherewithal to carry it out. “Being animation people, directors, designers and compositors, we know how to composite, we know how to rotoscope, we know how to put cel animation on top of live-action, we know how to make things look believable and real.

With Global Mechanic’s expansion to Boston, Charde added two new directors, Dan Sousa (above) and Rich Ferguson-Hull.

Now that Global Mechanic has gone international as well as bicoastal, Fleming says this will broaden the company’s vision even more. “We always wanted to have an international presence, not just with clients but to work with people from all over the world. There’s nothing like being able to collaborate with different people who have a different vision just because of where they stand in the world.” Of this new international presence, Alcock agrees, “It makes your life more interesting and your work more interesting.”

As for working globally, Alcock has no worries when it comes to handling the logistics. “Coca-Cola International involved working with many, many animators and different kinds of production people simultaneously doing work for Japan and India.” Fleming added, “That was an example where animators, clients and agencies were in all different parts of the world and it worked pretty seamlessly.”

What’s in the future for Global Mechanic? Well, Fleming is working on a feature-length script based on her documentary about her grandfather, the magician-juggler Long Tack Sam, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. She’s also working on animation for one of her short stories. On the commercial side, the company is continuing to work on Bell Mobility spots through Re-Think Advertising in Vancouver while the Boston office is finishing a production for a major footwear client Both offices have bids in the pipeline with a number of Canadian and U.S. ad agencies. The company is also developing ideas for television projects and hopes to have an animated series ready to go within 12 to 16 months. In addition, they have opened their doors to local filmmakers providing facilities and services for independent projects and are looking forward to working with the burgeoning creative community in the Greater Boston area. Global Mechanic’s reels can be viewed on their Website at www.globalmechanic.com.

J. Paul Peszko is a freelance writer and screenwriter living in Los Angeles. He writes feature articles, interviews and reviews as well as short fiction. He currently has a feature comedy in development and has just completed his second novel. When he isn’t writing, he teaches communications courses.