Berkeley-based Tippett Studios is the visual effects company behind Blockbusters newest advertising campaign "Carl & Ray," which premiered on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, 2002. In partnership with agency Doner Advertising and director Steve "Spaz" Williams of Complete Pandemonium, Tippet completed six 30-second spots featuring the lifelike animated denizens of a pet shop across the street from a Blockbuster Video Store. Guinea pig Ray, voiced by Jim Belushi, and Carl the rabbit, voiced by James Woods, are the stars of the spot titled "Gotta Dance," which aired during the Super Bowl. Additional "Carl & Ray" spots will be rolled out throughout the Winter Olympics and during the Academy Awards. In "Gotta Dance," exhibitionist Ray shows Carl what entertainment is all about by dancing to the song "Maniac" from the motion picture FLASHDANCE. Carl is not amused, especially when Ray tries to teach him the "booty" dance. Were not really too sure what this has to do with renting movies, but the FX work on the animals looks pretty great. Tippett Studio is finishing work on New Line Cinemas BLADE 2 and is in production on THE RING for DreamWorks and THE SANTA CLAUSE 2 for Disney.
