Congratulations Kristian!
Hurrah for Kristian Andrews who can finally put down his paint brush and colouring pencils for a bit and have a nice lie down after graduating with an MA in Animation from the RCA. Well done Kristian, we’re all very proud! 

To view his stunningly gritty graduation film ‘Rabbit Punch’ click through to the films page or go to Kristian’s director’s page to view his back catalogue.

tokyoplastic launch new Nokia TV campaign
tokyoplastic have just completed two animated commercials for the launch of Nokia’s global ‘Music Almighty’ TV campaign to promote the 5310 and N78 handsets. The spots, written and art directed by Fabian Berglund and Ida Gronblom at Wieiden+Kennedy, were created to complement Nokia’s iconic print campaign launched in December 2007.   The TV campaign and consists of two 30 second TVCs, ‘Lips Vs. Mindreader’ and ‘Pop Princess Vs. DJ’, with additional 20, 15 and 5 second cutdowns and airs worldwide.

Music is the lynchpin of this campaign with the underlying message that music is the ultimate means of expression.  This is characterised through the creation of bespoke headphones representing different music genres.  In each spot two headphones go head to head pumping out contrasting beats in the fight for supremacy.

To view the spots click through to tokyoplastic on the Director’s page.

Motomichi exhibits in Edinburgh
New recruit Motomichi Nakamura is venturing to our fair isle from the good old US of A for his latestest exhibition.  Drawing on his vast talents as a graphic animation director and designer, he's mixing it up and experimenting with audio, making this a unique and thrilling exhibition not to be missed.  The exhibit takes place on 21st June 2008.  for more information visit http://www.motomichi.com

Annecy 2008
Picasso's intrepid directors Holbrook's Films, Mike Please and Jo Lawrence have ventured forth this week to brave the wilds of this splendid international animation festival.   We wish them luck in Competition and Panorama but more importantly, we wish them luck in the peddalo race!

And the winner is......
Big fat congratulations to Picasso's newest recruits Holbrook's Films on their big win at the British Animation Awards last week.  The quirky charm of their short film T.O.M. won over both the jury and general public, bagging the boys 2 of the prestigious awards - Best Student Film and Public Choice: Best Short Film.

To see the Holbrook's masterpiece T.O.M. click through to our Films page.  

New Chrysler spot from Finkbom and tokyoplastic
Picasso’s CG directing teams Finkbom and tokyoplastic have joined forces to produce the new animated commercial for Chrysler, entitled ‘Listen to You’.  This fantastical story, written and art directed by Tim Thomas and Steve Glinski from BBDO Detroit, unfolds as a little boy recites, in rhyming couplets, what he would do if he were to own his own car company. The spot has been created to celebrate The New Chrysler following the appointment of a new management team in 2007 and premiered in local markets across the US during the coverage of the XLII Super Bowl.   This airtime forms part of Chrysler’s strategy to position itself at key events this month also including: the 50th running of the Daytona 500 (Feb. 17) and the Academy Awards (Feb. 24).

‘Listen to You’ has been created as an umbrella spot to communicate how, despite being a large corporation, Chrysler are approachable and friendly – they listen to their customers and are constantly improving their brand.  The spot also shows current production vehicles like the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Challenger SRT8 and the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

Part of the challenge for the production team was the extremely tight schedule – a total of just three and a half weeks from development to completion.   Agency producer, Jack Nelson commented “We were so fortunate to find that Picasso could accommodate our seemingly impossible schedule”.   Art director, Steve Glinski added “We were also delighted to find a directing team and studio that were so in tune with us creatively – we all felt we were on the same page from day one.”

This commercial is a welcome addition to the roster of car commercials produced by the unique collaboration of Picasso directors Finkbom and tokyoplastic, which includes campaigns for Toyota and Mitsubishi.  

New blood at Picasso
In recent weeks we’ve also been busy scouring the country for hot young animation talent and are now ready to share with you the fruits of our labour.  

First up we have Holbrook’s films.  Three lovely fellas from Wales who have recently graduated in Animation from University of Wales, Newport with a plethora of fantastic graduation films under their belts.  Most notably, ‘T.O.M’ which tells the story of a seemingly ordinary boy’s journey to school.  This short has already caused quite a stir at the international film festivals worldwide, notching up an impressive list of accreditations and awards at festivals such as Sundance, Annecy, London International Animation Festival and Ottowa.

Next we have Oceanwarmair.  Oway, Oceanwarmair’s pioneering director, recently signed to Picasso after working as an in-house director at MTV International.  Here she created an impressing collection of charming and ever so slightly naughty, promos and channel identities.

Film Festival favourite Kristian Andrews joins Picasso whilst also completing his final year at the RCA.  Kristian has a boundless enthusiasm for his craft, beautifully demonstrated in his first year film ‘Bald Dad’, which has won Kristian numerous accreditations at international festivals.  His graduation film is eagerly awaited by all.

And last but not least, we have Mike Please.  Recently graduated from Wimbledon College of Art.  Mike brings with him a fearlessness in his use of design style and directing ability.  His work includes many animation genres spanning everything from stop motion, traditional 2d and even finger puppets!

See our Director's page for all the New Blood showreels