Shuttlecraft, a boutique specializing in live-action and post-production services, opens a new studio in New York.
New York, NY -- Shuttlecraft, a full-service production company founded by partners Ronnie Koff and Dan Dickenson, has just opened its New York studio. Specializing in high-end, cinematic visual storytelling, Shuttlecraft is a boutique offering live-action and post-production services, including VFX, animation, editorial, compositing and finishing. Koff, formerly of Imaginary Forces, will serve as Executive Creative Director; and Dickenson, founder of international directing collective Supergoober, will act as Managing Partner/Executive Producer. Robert Berman will serve as Executive Producer.
“We founded Shuttlecraft because we wanted to start something provocative, smart and fresh, where we could inspire and enable talent to create, innovate and break the rules,” says Koff. “We believe great ideas deserve great design, and this approach is infused in everything we do – no matter the medium or budget.”
Koff and Dickenson’s goal with Shuttlecraft is to offer individualized attention to agencies and clients, which they liken to “a small ship that packs a big punch.” The duo originally met through Imaginary Forces, where Koff spent 10 years creating experiential design, interactive, feature and commercial work for top clients such as IBM, Tropicana, Oral-B and Yoplait, as well as designing the main titles for all three Transformers features.
Dickenson represented the well-established creative studio in the UK market through Supergoober, his London-based company. He built his career on finding fledgling talent and developing them into world-class directors, including Joseph Kosinksi, Nima Nourizadeh, Ruben Fleischer, Michael Gracey and more recently, The Sniper Twins. To date, his productions have garnered numerous industry awards including Cannes Lions, MTV’s Video Music Awards and Europe Music Awards, and D&AD.
Through the Imaginary Forces relationship, the two quickly bonded and, eventually, began discussing a venture that would combine Dickenson’s ability to find and nurture talent, and Koff’s directorial and creative expertise.
“We want to remain tight-knit and nimble enough to do work that challenges us, as well as the audience,” says Dickenson. “In today’s market, the better ideas usually come with little money attached, and our model allows us to take those creative risks. Having multiple directors and a large staff requires a bigger office and bigger budgets, which can obscure the big picture, creatively and strategically.”
“In this industry, it certainly doesn’t take a large machine to give premium work,” expounds Koff. “With Shuttlecraft, you know who you’re getting and who’s really behind the creative vision: a lean, focused team of grade-A talent.”
Dickenson and Koff vetted the Shuttlecraft roster to include directors whose approach is equally driven by design and storytelling. From the playful animations of Marc & Emma to the French flair of live-action duo Camille & Jean-Baptiste to the sophisticated cinematography of Stef Viaene, Shuttlecraft’s diverse talent pool not only complement Koff’s image-rich work, but also aligns with the company's mandate to bring gorgeous, story-driven imagery to all.
“Overlap between directors is so common on many rosters that it’s hard to see a distinction of talent,” concludes Koff. “We assembled our roster so that each director could add something unique and tangible for the greater whole of the collective.”
Shuttlecraft is repped on the East Coast by Angelina Powers and K.C. Gulino of SuperPowers NYC, and in the Midwest by Jim Robison and Janice Wagdy of JJ Reps.
Source: Shuttlecraft
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
