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Manic Brings Beauty To Mercedes Benz Spots

Nothing beats a Mercedes. Or so any driver will believe after watching a pair of shining spots, one celebrating the sleek new R-Class and another reinforcing the E-Class' state-of-the-art safety features; both featuring post work by Manic in collaboration jumP Editor Michael Saia and Directors, Anton Watts of Anderson Hopkins and Jim Gartner of Gartner via Merkley + Partners.

Mercedes-Benz "Don't Settle, My Car Did" Spot

Press Release from Manic

Nothing beats a Mercedes. Or so any driver will believe after watching a pair of shining spots, one celebrating the sleek new R-Class and another reinforcing the E-Class' state-of-the-art safety features; both featuring post work by Manic in collaboration jumP Editor Michael Saia and Directors, Anton Watts of Anderson Hopkins and Jim Gartner of Gartner via Merkley + Partners.

Led by Senior VFX Artist David Elkins, Don't Settle is a rapid-fire :15 examination of a sleek black R-Class SUV from various, semi-lit angles that ends with a full view of the slick machine. Elkins polished the overall appearance of the set and the car, collaborating with director Anton Watt to embellish his vision. Nuances to both the stage backdrop and sheet metal lighting were refined in Flame by Elkins, while details of the Mercedes R-Class are brought to their fullest beauty. "Beyond enhancing the detail work on the body and grill of the car, I wanted to emphasize the overall lighting and the sense of atmosphere around the car that Anton had created. Our approach was to blend away the floor and walls of the stage in order to draw attention to the car- not its surroundings-with the aim of staying true to the director's vision."

My Car Did is a powerful :30 featuring overlapping narrative testaments to the efficacy of the E-Class' safety features laid over a dramatic montage of hazy road shots. As the drivers recall tales of how they dozed at the wheel or nearly smashed nose first into a suddenly stopped auto, the screen reels through images of cars drifting over the centerline, trees forming a sun-speckled canopy over the roadway, or a dashboard careening toward a braking semi.

In this spot, Elkins put his skills to work by refining some details to help enhance the overall atmosphere and maintain the realistic nature in which the car was captured on film. VFX artist Eddie Reina was responsible for creating several different endtag lockups to suit each of the spot's different versions, including cut-downs and versions specific to the PGA and the US Open.

"These are beautifully executed and two very different spots," stated Manic MD Bob Cagliero. "Both are a perfect examples of the meticulous attention to detail and beauty Manic's artists continue to bring to the automotive category".

Credits:Client: Mercedes-BenzSpot Title: Don't Settle, My Car DidAir Date: October 2010

Agency: Merkley + PartnersCreative Group Head(s): Tom Quaglino, Scott Zacaroli (My Car Did)CD(s): Scott Zacaroli, David Fox (Don't Settle)AD: Kevin Gladwin (Don't Settle)Copy: Chris Miller (Don't Settle), Vanessa Tebesceff (My Car Did)Director of Broadcast Production: Gary GrossmanEP: Chris Ott (My Car Did)Producer: Alex Kobak (Don't Settle)

Prod Co: Anderson Hopkins (Don't Settle)Director: Anton Watts (Don't Settle)DP: Jordan Valenti (Don't Settle)EP: Jenn Kim (Don't Settle)

Prod Co: Gartner (My Car Did)Director: Jim Gartner (My Car Did)EP: Rich Carter (My Car Did)

Editorial Co: jumPEditor: Michael SaiaMD: Dee TagertEP: Jason WayProducer: Jess Stanchak

Post/Effects Co: ManicLead VFX Artist: David ElkinsVFX Artist: Eddie ReinaMD: Bob CaglieroProducer: Topper Anton

Telecine Co: Nice ShoesColorist: Chris Ryan

Audio Post Co (Stereo): Manic (Don't Settle)Mixer: Stephane Guyot (Don't Settle)

Audio Post Co (Surround): Sound Lounge (Don't Settle)

About Manic:Manic is a comprehensive creative solution for conception through completion of all media. Based in NoHo NYC, Manic delivers live-action production, cutting-edge motion graphics, 2D and 3D VFX, design, animation, and high-end finishing services for clients working in commercials, feature films, television, music videos and broadcast. The company's artists and principals have led campaigns for notable brands such as Nike, Virgin Mobile, Acura, Reebok, Verizon, Maybelline, and Apple from major agencies TBWA/Chiat/Day, Merkley+Partners, McCann Erickson, and JWT to name a few.

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Rick DeMott
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