Z Animation Takes The Train To Orchard Supply Hardware

ST. LOUIS, MO, May 19, 2011 (Press-News.org) Haven't we all, at some time or another, been stuck at a railroad crossing wondering what it would be like to climb into a boxcar and cross towering train trestles, to experience the beauty of the rolling countryside, the old growth trees, wildflowers and mountainous sceneries along the way? It would be an escape from the ordinary into the extraordinary that is a natural part of California.

This vision comes to life thanks to an extraordinary pairing of Z Animation director Bruce McFarlan with illustrators Peter and Maria, sister, Hoey as they help celebrate California and the roots of a state native, Orchard Supply Hardware.

Gilleran Supply Company, OSH's ad agency, sketched out the idea of a train trip across California as a romantic, nostalgic, yet whimsical ode to the state and a company that was founded here in 1931 as a grower's co-op. The Gilleran Supply Company creative team, Chuck Thegze and Chuck Guest (occasionally known as "The Chucks") brought together illustrator team Hoey and Z Animation director Bruce McFarlan to create four television commercials for OSH's spring promotion: "Orchard Supply Hardware is California's Backyard."

Based on an advance script and visual references of train memorabilia, Hoey and McFarlan created the storyboard. Upon approval the Hoeys created the key frames in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for McFarlan. Using Adobe Flash and After Effects, McFarlan, producer Audrey Robinson Favorito and digital animator, Brett Farley, created the richly animated spots during a three-week period.

Peter Barg, executive producer and founder of Z Animation oversaw the production, saying, "It was terrific how everyone was immediately in sync. Clear communication and creative respect were key in turning this around in just a few weeks. And the results are beautiful."

Peter Hoey enjoyed the process saying, "The fun of working in concert is that everyone participates. We challenge each other to bring out something unique and one-of-a-kind. Working with Bruce and Peter gave me immediate confidence that we'd end up with something unique for OSH."

McFarlan added, "It was a terrific balance of beautiful images with a nostalgic nod to the beauty and serenity of the California landscape. It was great fun to work on such strong and intelligent creative."

To view the campaign, please click on this link.

http://www.zanimation.tv/directors.cfm?DirectorID=124

If you are interested in talking about what Z Animation can do for you, please call Peter Barg, 323 982 0500.

http://www.zanimation.tv

Z Animation is an independent commercial animation design and production company whose goal is to be a valuable creative toolbox for agency art directors, writers and producers. Founded by former Agency Executive Producer Peter Barg, Z Animation's directors include Caroline Attia, Orrin Zucker, Odd Todd, John Vondracek, Paul Fierlinger, and 20 more with a full range of techniques including 3D, Flash, Cel, rotoscope, papercut out, and motion graphics.