HOT HOUSE: Thirdeye Design

Riding the Miami Wave

Linda Romanello

June 1, 2007    Source: Studio Monthly

Thirdeye Design Group co-founders Manny Gonzalez and Rosanna Gonzalez recently rode a high wave back home to Miami after a successful trip to New York City. The two had attended the Tribeca Film Festival for the premiere of The First Saturday in May, a documentary directed by brothers Brad and John Hennegan, that chronicles six jockeys and their horses (featuring Barbero) during the 2006 Kentucky Derby. Thirdeye created the title graphics and animation, the lower thirds within the film, as well as the end credits.

"We received such a wonderful response," enthuses Rosanna. "It was amazing to see our work on a big screen like that." "We’ve created openings for other films," adds Manny, "but nothing that made it into something like the Tribeca Film Festival."

What’s Their Gig?

Their passion for their work is apparent— and contagious— when they discuss the variety of projects that keep the studio moving. From commercials, corporate packages and documentaries to on-air and live event promos and branding for a variety of clients including the NFL, TLC, Disney Channel, WE Network, Telemundo and the Miami Heat, Thirdeye’s specialty is motion animation, post production and interactive media.

The Cool Factor

The doors to Thirdeye officially opened in September 2001 with the creation of on-air and in-arena packages for the Miami Heat. Manny comes to the industry with a solid but diverse background in architecture, print design and magazine layout. But as he puts it, once he saw his work "move on screen," he was "in love." Prior to creating Thirdeye, he gained most of his broadcast design experience from USA Network’s WAMI TV station in Miami, where he was able to build a good client base that he used to launch his own business.

Rosanna’s expertise lies in fashion merchandising and public relations. While both started their careers down seemingly different paths, they are now running a business they describe as not only fulfilling, but one they love.

"It’s a fine dance between doing the work that you love and that you’re proud of and being able to make a living at it," says Rosanna. "But it’s all working out really well for us; we love what we’re doing."

Manny stresses, "Thirdeye is a group of very talented people. But something I feel strongly about is that everyone has to have a strong passion for what they’re doing."

The Geek Factor

The arsenal at Thirdeye is an almost endless list of software apps, plug-ins and workstations including Apple Final Cut Pro HD, Autodesk Maya, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects, Red Giant Magic Bullet and so much more. And of Adobe CS3, Manny says, "We’re dying to get our hands on that." Manny, you’re not the only one!