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3D Becomes Lyrical in Nice Shoes' Poetically-Inspired Short Films

New York-based creative studio Nice Shoes is premiering two lyrical 3D short films conceived, shot and produced entirely in-house.

Press Release from Nice Shoes

New York-based creative studio Nice Shoes is premiering two lyrical 3D short films conceived, shot and produced entirely in-house. The films are part of a poetically-inspired series entitled Verses and directed by creative directors Brian Bowman and Aron Baxter.

"We picked poetry because it isn't an obvious choice for 3D," says Bowman. "Blue aliens on a planet far, far away makes a lot more sense in stereo, so we were just curious to find out if a visceral experience can be made more profound and emotional through stereography." Bowman and Baxter shot their respective short films last November with veteran stereographers Eric Robertson and Ross Heran.

Found, directed by Brian Bowman and starring model Stef van der Laan, is an abstract investigation of an anonymous poem he found on a Manhattan street. Locked out of his studio one Sunday morning during a particularly stressful commercial job, the short verse was written on scrap paper and blew up against his foot.

Heartbreaker features digital type and stars New York-based Trinidadian poet and graphic designer Rico Frederick. As he recites his poem, also titled Heartbreaker, he appears to fragment and then dissolve typographically into his own words.

The directors have been producing the experimental shorts in a 3D post pipeline for four months in addition to their regular client work. Once principal photography was complete, two different post workflows evolved: Flame and Nuke for Baxter and After Effects for Bowman.

"The overall process for us has been very informative for us in terms of knowing how to shoot, construct and compose our shots," says Baxter. "To know how far to push things, and when to be conservative with stereo 3D is something we've grappled with on a daily basis."

"We tried to make the decisions that would give us the most flexibility throughout the entire process," adds Bowman, "in order to ensure the creative was the best it could possibly be."

Nice Shoes will be screening Verses at their NYC studio on April 15th, from 6:30-9pm.

Credits:Film Title: FoundProduced by: Nice ShoesDirector: Brian Levi BowmanProducer(s): Christos Mountzouros, Barry GilbertDirector of Photography: Rod LambornMusic: Cliff Martinez

CastWoman: Stef van der LaanChild: Kayla Bowman

Design and AnimationSenior Compositor: Joe LawrenceCompositor(s): Danny Princz, Josh Laurence, Daniel Pernikoff, Kristin KochCG Artist(s): Andy Mai, Ryan DeCarloDesigner: Kit LamTypography: Eve WeinbergColorist: Ron SudulEditor: Brian BowmanAssistant Editor: Tony Dolezal

Live ActionLine Producer: Barry GilbertVisual Effects Supervisor: Mark Read1st Assistant Camera: Jim Hair2nd Assistant Camera: Mike IndurskyStereographer: Eric Robertson3D Rig Tech: Ben SchwartzDIT: Bennett Cain3D Video Utility: Kyle BlackmanGaffer: Hector Vasquez2nd Electrician: Fernando VazquezKey Grip: Rick Carmona2nd Grip: Sam KatzArt Director: Adrina GaribianFoot Model: Rachel TantVTR Operator: Lee HoppWardrobe Designer: Alexander KoutnyMakeup Artist: Mara PalumboHairstylist: Charles EdwardsProduction Assistants: James Carter, Nico Kuhn, Lamar Williams

Special Thanks: Gloss59 and Pier 59

Film Title: HeartbreakerProduced by: Nice ShoesDirector: Aron BaxterProducer: Jen CadicDirector of Photography: Rod LambornLive Action Producer: Barry GilbertAssociate Producer: Joe HobaicaHead of Production: Michael Donovan

Poem Written and Performed by: Rico FrederickCast: Rico Frederick, Ana Dori, Leslie TettensorMusic Produced by: BANGComposer: Brad Stratton

Sound Design and Mixing by: Sound Lounge, Hudson StMixer: Scott Persson

Design and Visual EffectsLead VFX TD / Lead VFX Compositor: Boaz LivnyLead CG Artist: Jim CollinsCG Artist(s): Ryan DeCarlo, Mitch Deoudes, Joshua Krause, Matthew Lane-Smith, Andy Mai, Daniel Mao, Thomas Smith IIIFlame Artist(s): Mario Casserta, Vincent Roma, Bryan Rosenblum, Elsa TuVFX Assistant(s): Cicely Brooks, Barry Furlano, Kevan LeeCG Assistant: Craig LospallutoCG Intern(s): Sang Ho Lee, John Mattiuzzi, Da Seul Kim, Selim Yang

Editor: Cassidy GearhartAssistant Editor: Tony Dolezal

Color Supervision: Lez RudgeColorist: Ron Sudul

Opening Title Design: Ryan DeCarloEnd Credit Design: Kit Lam

Live ActionLine Producer: Barry Gilbert1st Assistant Camera: Jim HairStereographer: Ross HeranVisual Effects Supervisor: Mark Read3D Rig Tech: Ben SchwartzDIT: Bennett Cain3D Video Utility: Kyle BlackmanGaffer: Hector Vasquez2nd Electrician: Fernando VazquezKey Grip: Rick Carmona2nd Grip: Sam KatzArt Director: Adrina GaribianVTR Operator: Lee HoppMakeup Artist: Mara PalumboProduction Assistant(s): James Carter, Nico Kuhn, Lamar Williams

Special ThanksGloss59, Pier 59, BANG and Sound Lounge

Equipment3D Rig - TCSCamera - Gloss59, 21st Century 3D2nd Camera - TCSGrip Equipment - Pier 59Insurance - Truman van DykeLighting - Pier 59, AdoramaProduction Supplies - Pier 59Shipping - FedExSound - Sounds Good, Inc.Stage - Pier 59Trucking - Courier Car RentalVTR - LH Video Services

About Nice Shoes:NYC-based Nice Shoes is a full service, artist-driven design, animation, visual effects and color grading studio specializing in high-end commercials, web content, film, TV and music videos. Since its inception in 1996, the studio has prided itself on consistently reinvesting in its talent, technical backbone, and client experience to set the standard of excellence both creatively and technically. Key company principals include: CEO/Partner Dominic Pandolfino, Head of Production Mike Donovan, CDs Brian Bowman and Aron Baxter, Colorists/Partners Chris Ryan and Lez Rudge, Senior Producers Pat Portela and Christos Mountzouros, VFX Artist/Partner Rich Schreck, and CIO Bob Keske.

For more information please visit www.niceshoes.com.

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