The Lab Sydney today announced that Clinton Downs was joining their team as the Head of 3D Commercials.
Previously with Animal Logic, Downs joins a new Lab creative team focused on the advertising market and completes the recruitment phase for their new creative studio initiated by the Lab’s head – Lewis Pullen.
Downs’ credits include being Supervising Technical Director on the critically acclaimed feature, ’00 and a wide range of TVC work including the Whiskas Mouse, series of 3 commercials, AGL Mimi, series of 6 commercials, Gatorade Visitors, Visa Monster Chase, Visa Birds, Tooheys War of Appliances, Honda Accord, Ritz Penguins, Adidas Nothing is Impossible, Toyota Prado Ice Sculptures, Australian Grown and Sony’s God of War.
The Lab has also recently won critical acclaim for its TVC work including the Samsung PAVV, Arnott’s Shapes and Camp Quality Laughter commercials.
Lewis Pullen said, ‘Clinton is a key appointment in our Creative Studio team. He will be the VFX department’s 3D technical and 3D commercials lead heading up a core team of senior 3D artists that includes Peter Spinaze, Bernard Stock and Kanin Phemayothin. As with Al Hansen and Marcus Timpson, we were focused on getting the best talent possible to head up 3D. As a result of this recruitment strategy, I’m delighted to say we now have the highest calibre 3D, 2D, design and colour talent in Clinton Downs, Eric Schaechter, Garry Jacques and Marcus Timpson. These leads compliment our very strong group of artists at the Lab.’
Downs’ appointment is the latest in the Lab’s new approach to the commercials market. The Lab’s 3D team is now part of their recently formed creative studio where 3D, 2D, design and colour teams work together in a dedicated studio assessing all creative briefs coming into the Lab. The Creative Studio is headed by the Lab’s CD Garry Jacques who said, ‘We have now created a core boutique team within our facility and Clinton will be one of the major contributors to our creative process helping the Lab deliver the very best technical solutions and ideas.’
Clinton Downs said, ‘I am looking forward to further building the Lab’s creative credentials. I have made the move here as it is a rare opportunity to be part of a new creative team. Supported by the strength of the Lab’s facilities and artist pool, this team can truly compete with the best in the market.’
Lewis Pullen concluded, ‘Clinton was specifically recruited because he has the rare combination of creative and technical skills whilst also being highly regarded for efficiently delivering to a client’s brief and turnaround expectations. His arrival is a key component in completing our creative studio strategy. We are also completing a number of new suites in the facility, including our new Baselight® digital grading suite. With the combination of this new talent and technology I am looking forward to a very exciting year at the Lab.’
The Lab has also begun the implementation of Nuke, a new compositing pipeline for longform and shortform projects involving 2D & 3D reflecting the growing industry need for competitive options on selected longform projects and commercials.
[release from Well Above]