Allens tells us that the SF Gate talks about the work of someone formerly with ILM, Lucas' special effects company:
CARL, RAY AND SPAZ: A few weeks back we told you about a Portrero Hill production firm (Complete Pandemonium) that landed a big account (Blockbuster Video). The ad that caught our attention was Singing Elfis, which featured a miniature King singing duets with Santa in a hilarious Christmas spot for the video chain.
Pandemonium will unveil round two of their Blockbuster work during the Super Bowl. Steve "Spaz" Williams, who made a name for himself doing special effects wizardry while working at George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic, has directed six 30-second spots for Blockbuster that star two talking animals, Carl and Ray.
Carl's a rabbit, voiced by James Woods, and Ray's a guinea pig, played by Jim Belushi. The two furry creatures live in a pet shop window across from a Blockbuster and spend their days contemplating entertainment options. We got a peek at the spots, and they're funny. I think kids will especially love 'em.
Beyond the campaign's face value, there's an interesting production anecdote behind it. The concept for the campaign was developed by Doner, the huge, private Detroit ad firm, and they brought it to Pandemonium for production. Spaz told them he could do it using computer graphics exclusively.
While that might not sound revolutionary, it turned out to be a hassle because we're talking about furry critters here. Fur is incredibly difficult to generate on a computer, Spaz informs us. "Fur's been a big deal in this business," he deadpans. Pandemonium contacted a regular partner of theirs, Tippett Studios here in S.F., and the two companies made a CG breakthrough. They created digital fur.
"Tippett, bar none, does the best integrated graphics in the world," said Pandemonium President Stelio Kitrilakis.
Rebelscum Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Patch Posted By Philip on November 25, 2014: Thanks to everybody that ordered patches. I sent a check for $1,600.00 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation on Monday. While it's not as much as I hoped for, it's still very much appreciated. They will remain for sale in the store for anybody that still wishes to purchase them. Details after the jump.