Award-winning exec producer, visual effects supervisor and director Jim Riche has joined the Nice Shoes Family, consisting of Nice Shoes, Guava and Freestyle Collective, acting as head of production for both Nice Shoes and Guava. Riche will oversee the companies’ production staffs, work to foster collaboration between the two studios and capitalize on the natural synergies that exist between their services and artistic staffs. Riche will also serve as a visual effects supervisor for special projects on a bicoastal basis.
Riche’s appointment is the latest move in Nice Shoes’ effort to grow its business and promote collaboration between it and its affiliates. “We are expanding and evolving to keep pace with a dynamic market and the evolving needs of our clients,” said Nice Shoes managing partner Dominic Pandolfino. “Jim is the perfect candidate to lead that effort. He is a rare hybrid talent and a visionary who sees the whole picture and has the ability to make all the parts fit. Most importantly, he is a consummate professional who our clients will enjoy collaborating with. We are delighted to have him join our team.”
Riche states that his initial focus will be to coordinate the efforts of the two studios. “Each company has its own strengths,” he said. “Together they represent a complete post production solution capable of full service HD, color correction with Specter, final editorial with Flame/Smoke suites, visual effects from concept to completion, including design, shoot supervision, compositing and 3D animation. Our intent is to apply the best assets of both companies to whatever projects arrive in either door.”
“In addition, Nice Shoes has always prided itself on providing its clients with the best in technology and it is committed to remaining at the leading edge,” added Riche, whose arrival comes as both Nice Shoes and Guava continue to boost their technical resources allowing both facilities to stay ahead of industry changes.
Both facilities have been completely HD compatible for some time now and continue to find ways to increase their capabilities. Nice Shoes has added a second Specter FS (FilmStream) Virtual Datacine, Grass Valley’s revolutionary non-linear color correction system, enabling spots to be finished in a shorter period of time with more consistency from scene to scene.
“Specter has been a tremendous success. Our clients are completing their telecine work in half to two-thirds the previous time, with better results,” Riche said. “Our artists now have the ability to service more clients with a wider variety of needs.” Recent jobs include Sharp Aquos, Xbox, Old Spice, British Airways, The Bravery Music Video and Maybelline.”
In his first project in his new role, Riche will serve as visual effects supervisor on an international commercial campaign for a well known worldwide client. The production will occur in Los Angeles, with Nice Shoes supplying telecine and final editorial, and Guava handling shoot supervision and visual effects.
Riche formerly served as exec producer of Cibolo Films, San Antonio and Santa Monica, a specialist in Hispanic advertising and a company that he founded in 1997. At Cibolo, Riche oversaw production of commercials for Levi’s, AT&T, Sprint, Coca-Cola, Ford and Chrysler, as well as a Fila ad that debuted on the Super Bowl. He was also the founder of the New York visual effects house Cause + Effects. His credits there included the show opener for The Late Show with David Letterman, promos for PBS, the Family Channel and Nickelodeon, and visual effects for commercials promoting Norelco, Nyquil, Tylenol and Crest.
“I am excited to be back in New York and to be working with the Nice Shoes Family crew,” Riche said. “…Companies tend to take on the personalities of the people who run them, and this one certainly has done just that. That is why Nice Shoes and Guava have been successful and why they are such a good place to work, for employees and clients.”
A native New Yorker, Riche developed his reputation as a director and executive producer at Broadcast Arts in New York and Washington, DC, in the 1980s. He was a part of the team that produced the Emmy winning television series PEE WEE’S PLAYHOUSE. He also produced a series of Clio-winning network IDs for MTV. Additionally, he directed commercials for such brand names as Crest, Wendy’s, General Mills and Pepsi.
New York-based Nice Shoes (
www.niceshoes.com ) is a full-service post house specializing in commercial work.
New York visual effects studio Guava (
www.guavanyc.com ) was established for creative artists and producers to make striking images using the most effective means. The creative environment in New York’s Chelsea District fosters experimental thinking, exploration and open collaboration between artists and clients. And Guava’s involvement at the earliest stages of a project ensures solutions are stunning and practical.
