Global Mechanic has signed of two new commercial directors to its roster live-action director Mina Shum and animation director Nathaniel Akin.
Mina Shum, born in Hong Kong and raised in Canada now calls Vancouver home. Shum has directed three feature films. Her most recent film, LONG LIFE, HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY premiered at the 2002 Toronto Film Festival and played to sold out audiences at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. As a director resident at the Canadian Film Centre, Shum developed her first feature-length film DOUBLE HAPPINESS, which premiered at the 1994 Toronto International Film Festival, receiving the Special Jury Citation for Best Canadian Feature. DOUBLE HAPPINESS garnered Canadas highest film honors, winning Genie Awards for Best Actress (Sandra Oh) and Best Editing (Alison Grace) with additional nominations for Best Picture, Best Direction, Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography. Shum has also directed for television in various genres: long form, episodic and rock videos.
After studying at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Nathaniel Akin did set sculpture for features and commercials, cinematography for several independent films, worked in gaming, interactive kiosks, and the Web. Akin began freelance animating with Global Mechanic in 2003 and quickly added directing to his resume with work on ReThinks Bell Mobility campaign. Since coming on staff as a director/animator, Akin has continued his work with the Bell Mobility Campaign, created and directed a network ID package for Nickelodeons Nicktoons, and worked on various movie title projects.
Bruce Alcock, Global Mechanics founder and creative director is excited with the addition of these two. With both Nathaniel and Mina working with us, we have completely rounded out our offerings as a production company. Mina is an accomplished and award winning, live-action director and will add a dimension of drama and comedy to the reel. Nathaniel is one of the best animators I have worked with over the years and add that to his warped sense of humor and design acumen and were ready to rock and roll.
These two are in addition to the two veteran animation directors Rich Ferguson Hull and Dan Sousa that Global Mechanic signed earlier in the year and join the roster that already includes Bruce Alcock, Marv Newland and Ann Marie Fleming.
Global Mechanic (www.globalmechanic.com) is a bi-coastal animation and live-action production company that makes television commercials, independent films and music videos. It works in all media with techniques including design-based animation, mixed-media, stop-motion/motion control, drawn, and live-action/special effects. Canadian studio headquarters are in Vancouver, B.C. with U.S. offices in Boston.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
