Straight From London - Anthony Dickenson + Nike + Wayne Rooney

Chelsea has some very exciting news from London for 2010. The full details are still under wraps, but this new spot from Nike and Anthony Dickenson will give you a clue.

This spot also made the rounds in the ad world publications, so look for it on Creativity and 'boards.

Alex Gibney - Sundance 2010 Roundup

Alex Gibney had, not surprisingly, one heck of a Sundance experience. The world premiere of "CASINO JACK and The United States of Money" was a major event, and the film marked Gibney's return to his core subject, the intersection of money, power, and politics. The Sundance catalog summarizes the film thusly:

This portrait of Washington super lobbyist Jack Abramoff—from his early years as a gung-ho member of the GOP political machine to his final reckoning as a disgraced, imprisoned pariah—confirms the adage that truth is indeed stranger than fiction. A tale of international intrigue with Indian casinos, Russian spies, Chinese sweatshops, and a mob-style killing in Miami, this is the story of the way money corrupts our political process.

Check out Alex's own take on the whole experience here, on his blog for The Atlantic, and the Cinematical review here. Magnolia is aiming for a wide release of the film in spring of 2010.

Johan + Nike + Orange Tape = Creativity Top Spot!

Creative superstar Johan Kramer just finished this sweet guerilla spot for Nike out of Wieden + Kennedy, celebrating the start of the World Cup tournament. Though the excitement and visceral appeal of the spot is universal (giving it Top Spot status at Creativity Online), there is a very specific Dutch element, as explained by Amsterdam Ad Blog:

The word ‘BEZET’ means ‘taken’ and is inspired by Queen’s Day (April, 30) when the Amsterdammers claim their street market stall space the nights before the actual event by taping off an area and writing ‘bezet’. The words ‘bloed oranje’ ask the Dutch to ‘bleed orange’ for their country. Usually the ‘orange’ advertising around big football (soccer) tournaments is overwhelming and not very subtle, which makes it difficult for an advertiser to stand out. This video – distributed through Nike’s websites – is therefore well timed and with its grassrooty character (reinforced by the catchy music by Dutch electro band ‘Daily Bread’) more sympathetic than your regular over-obvious ‘orange painting’. For those of you not interested in (Dutch) football; the guy at the end is Frank de Boer – assistant coach of the Dutch team.

Check out the Youtube below, or catch it on Creativity, or, obviously, Nike!

Chelsea's Most Agile Employee

Well, he's not technically employed by Chelsea, but he does have the official water bottle. Thanks to former intern Cameron for what will inevitably be the Chelsea holiday card photo.

Alex Gibney's "Casino Jack" Set to Premiere at Sundance!

More exciting Alex Gibney news! Then again, his work is always exciting. His just-completed documentary CASINO JACK & The United States of Money is an Official Selection of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival! The film joins 15 others in the US Documentary Competition, whose subjects range from the state of the US public school system to Joan Rivers. The complete list is here. The Sundance catalogue briefly describes Gibney's film as, "A probing investigation into the lies, greed and corruption surrounding D.C. super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his cronies." Congratulations to Alex and everyone at Jigsaw!

For All You New Yorkers: December 7th Screening of "Money-Driven Medicine" with Alex Gibney Q&A

If you are hoping to catch the ever-busy Alex Gibney, you'll have a chance this upcoming Monday, December 7th, at a screening of the latest documentary he produced, Money Driven Medicine. Gibney will be participating in a Q&A after the screening! The details are: Monday, December 7th @ 7:00 PM, Cinema Village, 22 E 12th Street. Check out the trailer:

Lauren Greenfield's Dubai Photo Essay Hits The New York Times

As we mentioned in a earlier post, Lauren Greenfield shot a monograph this year about the crash of Dubai's supercharged economy. Her work was rather prescient, given the recent news concerning Dubai World's $60 billion debt, and now her photos have made the home page of the New York Times.

In the interview with Greenfield that accompanied the article, she said:

“Dubai is a cautionary tale in the same way as the foreclosure crisis — which I photographed — was,” Ms. Greenfield said last weekend, as the financial crisis in Dubai unfolded. “Dubai was this miracle of development with minimal planning and no infrastructure.”

The original Times story and interview with Lauren is here, and some interesting reblogging here and here.

Two Kevin Macdonald Films Make "Top 100 Films of the Noughties"

The Times of London has just released their "Top 100 Films of the Noughties" and Chelsea's Kevin Macdonald made the list twice! The only limit for the list were that the film have been released in the UK between 2000 and 2009, so the competition was stiff.

You'll find Kevin's Touching the Void at number forty-five, and The Last King of Scotland all the way up at number seven. The Times wrote:

Forest Whitaker gives one of the great performances of the decade as Idi Amin. He nails the Ugandan dictator’s deadly charm — he’s a charismatic monster; part amiable buffoon, part stone-cold killer.

The link to the full article is here and not to brag any more than we might have already, but make sure to take a look at the lead picture illustrating the article. And as for hot-off-the-presses Macdonald news, Kevin has just finished shooting The Eagle of the Ninth in Scotland and is going straight into the edit. Look for it in theaters everywhere early fall of 2010.

Christmas in November: Chelsea Signs Director Neil Abramson

Chelsea is closing out the year with a bang with the signing of director Neil Abramson! An industry veteran and Sundance regular, Abramson is a "director/cameraman with a global perspective and unmistakable vision". And a swell guy! You can find our SourceTV coverage here, our Creativity coverage here, and our Shoot magazine coverage here. The full press release is below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHELSEA SIGNS DIRECTOR NEIL ABRAMSON

FOR COMMERCIAL REPRESENTATION

Chelsea is proud to announce the signing of Neil Abramson, a director/cameraman with a global perspective and unmistakable vision. A filmmaker and photographer with an unflinching eye and distinct purpose, in the commercial realm Abramson is known as a storyteller with exquisite photography. His client list includes Nike, McDonald’s, Cadillac, Ad Council, Jack Daniels, Acura, Merrill Lynch, and Lexus. His industry awards include a Clio, a Silver and Golden Lion, and an AICP Show award.

Chelsea partner Allison Amon adds, “Having previously worked with Neil during my time at Palomar, I couldn’t be more pleased to be working with him again. His creative process is an excellent fit for the way Chelsea works.”

Abramson’s feature and documentary films explore the dramatic components of everyday life, focusing on the triumphs and difficulties people encounter. Abramson’s latest feature film, American Son, premiered at Sundance and was distributed nationally by Miramax/Disney. Starring Nick Cannon, the film follows a young Marine during his last 96 hours on leave before having to depart for duty in Iraq.

The film exemplifies the hallmarks of Abramson’s work, sensitivity, powerful emotions, compelling stories, and intimate photography. Abramson’s debut film, Without Air, also a Sundance premiere, was heralded as a tough and uncompromising portrait of a woman on the edge, and his documentary Soldier Child was championed by the United Nations to call attention to the horrific plight of child soldiers in Uganda.

Chelsea partner Lisa Mehling said, “Neil’s work is outstanding, in both entertainment and advertising. His strength as a visual storytelling is a compliment to the to the Chelsea roster.”

Abramson lives in Los Angeles.

Another Year, Another Spot on the A-List

Well, a little bragging is in order, because Chelsea made the Creativity A-List for Production Companies for the 5th year in a row. It is a big honor and we don't take it lightly, so thanks very much to the folks at Creativity for their consideration and everyone we've worked in the last year that helped us get to the top of the heap! Check out the full article here.

Chelsea Makes 100th Donation to Kiva Microloan Program

As part of the company mission to be green and keep the planet around so we can keep filming it, Chelsea supports microloans through the Kiva organization, www.kiva.org. Kiva works with proven microlenders in developing countries to provide small loans to entrepreneurs to start small businesses that support one or two families and benefit the community, like a small grocery store or fishing boat. We are big fans, so check them out at www.kiva.org!

Alex Gibney's Taxi To The Dark Side Wins Emmy!

Looks like IMDB will have to add "Emmy" to the long list of awards won by Alexs Gibney's "Taxi to the Dark Side."  The film won "Best Documentary" and "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Research" at the News and Documentary Emmy Awards in New York City on September 21st, 2009.  Here's our director, looking sharp:

And here's Chelsea favorite and Union Editorial NY editor Sloane Klevin:

And the whole "Taxi" gang, from left to right: Todd Wider (executive producer), Robert Johnson (executive producer), Sloane Klevin (co-producer/editor), Blair Foster (co-producer/researcher) Alex!, Sidney Blumenthal (executive producer), Martin Fisher (co-producer), Jedd Wider (executive producer) and Salimah El-Amin (researcher):

Free David Gordon Green Short Film Screening!

And films by some other Chelsea favorites, like James Franco and Danny McBride, but we're most excited about David.  Presented by the Sundance Film Festival, the screening is this Friday, August 21st, at the Downtown Independent in Los Angeles.  It's going to fill up and there's no way to RSVP, so get in line early.

Lauren Greenfield Shoots "Bye Bye, Dubai" for Fast Company

The ever-prolific Lauren Greenfield has just published a monograph of Dubai in Fast Company magazine. Unlike the typical glossy spread focussed on the supercharged capitalism and the heady, ultra-rich atmosphere that defines modern Dubai, Greenfield shows a nation humbled by the current financial crisis and reeling from the global downturn. The article begins:

Deserts have a way of reclaiming whatever is built upon them. In the case of Dubai, on the Persian Gulf, the global financial implosion has sent that process into overdrive. After six years of frenzied expansion, during which the emirate's population grew at 7% annually and nearly $600 billion went into construction (the world's tallest building! the world's largest shopping mall! the biggest man-made island! an indoor ski resort!), reality has come rushing into view.

"They have no oil, no culture, no history," says Peter Harradine, a prominent landscape architect in Dubai and manager of Harradine Golf. "So what they have been able to produce is a miracle." Or was it a mirage? Today, an estimated 50% of the slated developments are frozen or canceled. Banks have stopped lending. Housing prices fell 41% in the first quarter of 2009 and are expected to drop to preboom levels. The stock market has plunged 70% from its peak.

Check out the examples below and find the rest of the article and photos here:

A Little Apartment Therapy With Allison...

Though both our fearless leaders have lovely homes, only one is currently being featured on a major blog. Allison Amon, head of the West Coast branch of Chelsea, has a photo tour of home tour posted on Apartment Therapy! Check it out here, and feel free to leave nice comments. Eagle-eyed readers should keep an eye out for Allison and Chelsea favorite Frankie.