Press Release from Stardust Studios
SANTA MONICA, CA. and NEW YORK -- (May 6, 2009) -- In cooperation with Japanese production company Kirameki (www. kirameki.cc), bicoastal U.S. creative production company Stardust Studios (www.stardust.tv) recently produced two HD spots for Tokyo's Electric Power Development (J-POWER) through the creative team at McCann Erickson Japan. The two HD :30 spots entitled "Global" and "Environment" directed by Stardust's founder and creative director Jake Banks began airing in April in Japan, where they will continue to run for the next year.
Check out "Environment"
J-POWER "Environment" from Stardust Studios on Vimeo.
And "Global"
J-POWER "Global" from Stardust Studios on Vimeo.
"The main focus of these spots was to show that J-POWER creates energy and makes everything possible for daily life," Banks explained. "One was an environmental spot, and the other was a global spot that speaks to the industries, businesses, infrastructures and everything that the company powers."
Although the original approach called for the use stock footage, Banks and the agency's creatives, including creative director and copywriter Isamu Nakamura, and art directors Takehiko Araki and Kenichi Horie, ultimately agreed on the greater benefits of capturing original live-action footage for the project. During one day of green screen shooting on a soundstage in Tokyo, Banks and director of photography Naoki Noda captured HD footage of actors and various animals using the ARRIFLEX D-21 camera package.
Artists at Stardust's Santa Monica studio then used Maya to create the natural habitats, the turbine and many other elements for both spots, and Adobe After Effects was used for visual effects and compositing.
Complete project credits follow below. More information on J-POWER is available at www.jpower.co.jp.
PROJECT NAME: J-POWER "Global" and "Environment"RUNNING TIME: 2 x :30DATE OF FIRST AIRING: April 15, 2009 (Japan only)
FILM STAGE/LOCATION(S): Japan
CLIENT: Electric Power Development Co., Ltd ("J-POWER")CITY/STATE: Tokyo, Japan
AD AGENCY: McCann Erickson Japan, Inc.CITY/STATE: Tokyo, JapanCREATIVE DIRECTOR/COPYWRITER: Isamu NakamuraART DIRECTORS: Takehiko Araki, Kenichi Horie
PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Kirameki, Inc. & Stardust StudiosCITY/STATE: Tokyo, Japan & Bicoastal, USADIRECTOR: Jake BanksDIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Naoki NodaPRODUCTION MANAGER: Sachiko Tamaru (Kirameki)
DESIGN/ANIMATION COMPANY: Stardust StudiosCITY/STATE: Bicoastal, USACREATIVE DIRECTOR: Jake BanksEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul AbatemarcoDESIGN DIRECTOR: Neil TsaiPRODUCERS: Jody MacKinnon, Clara Park, Steven PoulsenDESIGNERS: Neil Tsai, Gretchen Nash, Tosh Kodama, Bill Bak, Ling Feng, Angela Ko, Jenny Ko, Juliet ParkANIMATORS: Sang Lee, Angie Tien, Brian Broussard, George Longo, Damon Snyder, Ryan Hooks, Marisol Baltierra, Catherine Yoo, Giancarlo Rondani, Maithy Tran, Thomas Horne2D ARTISTS: Brian Williams, Davina Sanchex, Stephen Edwards, Kristen Swanson
MUSIC ARTIST: HifanaMUSIC PRODUCER: Masayo Okino
ADDITIONAL POST-PRODUCTION: Sony PCLCITY/STATE: Tokyo, JapanONLINE EDITOR: Masashi HosodaMIXER: Tsutomu Higa
FINAL MIX COMPANY: OmnibusCITY/STATE: Tokyo, JapanMIXER: Norisato Nakauchi
About Stardust StudiosStardust is an award-winning, full-service creative production company, specializing in motion design, animation, visual effects and live-action production. Led by founder and creative director Jake Banks, Stardust's Santa Monica and New York offices continually redefine creativity for commercial, on-air, music video and in-store presentations. Their recent work -- including projects for the world's top ad agencies, brands and recording artists -- has earned numerous awards and worldwide editorial exposure. For more information, please visit www.stardust.tv.
