London’s Absolute Post can today announce the launch of its new satellite office based in New York’s Chelsea district. Absolute’s American arm has been open since March 2007 and its first job has now been completed ‘ a Samsung commercial for Leo Burnett, Chicago directed by Phil Joanou at MJZ LA.
This production showed how Absolute can work ‘across the pond’, in an ultra-efficient way, combining Flame work executed in New York with 3D work generated at Absolute’s London HQ. The two locations worked seamlessly over a hi-speed pipe line, aided by live realtime streaming of Flame outputs from both offices. Absolute’s new remote review system, On Tap, eased transatlantic communications by supporting verbal revision instructions with frame-by-frame visual annotations. Working from both locations in tandem means the working day can be extended by five-hours due to time zone differences.

Absolute’s New York flame suite will be manned, on a rotating basis, by the existing award-winning VFX team with localized support from a small on-site Combustion and MCR department. In the last 12 months, Absolute’s VFX team has won the British Television Advertising Craft Award for best visual effects, a D&AD pencil and an MTV video statue.

The NYC suite has been decked out in the quirky but luxurious style that has become synonymous with Absolute’s reputation for eclectic British chic: Phillipe Starck lamps meet Paul Smith wall-hangings and Herman Miller Aeron chairs, all finished off with a Rolling Stones painting. Please see the attached image.

Absolute’s MD (and senior VFX artist), David Smith, said: “We’ve always maintained a reputation for excellence in the American market. In fact, two of our first jobs when we opened in 2004 were Superbowl commercials. At that point, 70% of our bookings were coming from American clients. So it’s only a natural progression to capitalize on this reputation and open an office in NYC. This way, we can provide a convenient local service for our US clients, whilst maximizing our resources ‘ one of those rare win-win situations.”

This announcement coincides with a new signing for Absolute’s 3D department. Maria Ocantos will be joining the CG team on 1st May 2007. Maria comes from fellow London post house, Smoke & Mirrors, where she has been working for three years.

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