With the establishment of Crush Inc., a new configuration of post-production players is aiming to bring an added creative and graphics sensibility along with high-end Henry gear to the Toronto market.

Crush will officially launch in February under the helm of senior designer/compositing artist Gary Thomas, ex of Spin Productions. Joining Thomas in the new undertaking are designer/ compositor Sean Cochrane, executive producer/ managing director Jo-Ann Cook and scheduler Patty Bradley, formerly with dave.

Crush is being backed by Axyz, out of which Thomas is operating until the new shop’s digs at 439 Wellington Street are completed.

Thomas says his aim is to establish a creatively oriented shop, drawing inspiration from some of the international facilities he has worked with during his career, and he points to a growing demand and consideration for graphics and type design in the market.

‘I wanted a place that was more creatively based,’ says Thomas. ‘It should feel more like a graphics studio – with more of a type and graphic design base than just editing and straight compositing. There seems to be a place for that in town.’

Crush will handle commercial work as well as look toward a burgeoning broadcast market and to film title work.

The shop will initially be centered around a Henry V Infinity, and will also incorporate Mac workstations running After Effects and like packages, all of which will be networked together. A second Henry suite may be added down the road.

Thomas says Henry is the package of choice for the particular focus of the shop, allowing maximum flexibility for graphics work and providing what he calls an art studio-like environment where different graphics looks can be tried and applied quickly. Axyz, which runs the Inferno compositing/ effects package, had identified a demand for type and graphics work, says Thomas.

Thomas, a Sheridan College animation grad, has been working in graphics design and compositing for almost 15 years, including stints at Centro in Hong Kong and Garner MacLennan in Australia as well as Command Post/toybox and Spin here.

Cochrane made a quick ascent at Command Post/toybox to Henry/Inferno compositor. He was formerly at The Animation House as producer then gm/executive producer for the past eight years.

The new 4,000-square-foot Crush offices are being designed by 3rd Uncle to incorporate an open look and feel. The shop’s apt and utilitarian-cool logo was designed by Nathalie Cusson and Joanne Veronneau.

In addition to working on the huge ctv redesign out of Pittard Sullivan, thus far Thomas et al have been working on projects that include TSN Sports Desk, design work for Molson and Mazda, as well as spots out of Roche Macaulay & Partners for Ikea, Germany and Eaton’s.

*Diplock starts shops

Creative force Randy Diplock has branched out from his role as vp group creative director at MacLaren McCann, launching his own company under the appelation Diplock &.

Diplock will aim his talents at spot directing and writing long form projects as well as continuing to do freelance writing for agencies, currently working to finish up a major print campaign for Cadillac out of mm.

Diplock has already found early success in his initial spot helming efforts, winning a Silver Bessie in 1997 for directing (as well as writing) the Sony Tune ‘Em Out campaign and is currently in talks with commercial production shops.

Diplock is also working toward developing tv and, ultimately, feature projects and is working on a short called Hindsight, ‘a story about a guy who ends up saving John Lennon’s life’ as well as a number of other long-form ventures.

*Thursby, Lanyon get focused

Ad industry veterans Stephen Thursby and Mary-Ann Lanyon have teamed up to create Thursby: Lanyon, a new marketing and communications undertaking designed, say the partners, to provide focused attention and brand building expertise to clients. The new company provides brand strategy, communications planning and creative direction, bringing in skills in complementary disciplines through strategic alliances.

Thursby has over 25 years’ industry experience as an art director, creative director, spot director, most recently president of ddb. Lanyon has put in nearly the same time in adland, in marketing, advertising and strategic planning for Kraft, Scali McCabe Sloves Tourism Ontario and fcb.

*A noteworthy postscript to the holidays

Adding an extra special glow to the holiday season this year was a psa which was assembled with the goodwill of a gaggle of industry professionals to help the homeless while potentially marking the launch of a new directing career for the spot’s helmer, Jordan Toms.

The psa is the first foray into directing by Toms, who has worked in the commercial field for a number of years, primarily as a grip. Planning a move into directing, Toms aimed at creating a psa to help the homeless as a calling card. The cause is close to home – Toms’ mother has worked extensively for organizations devoted to this sector of society.

Pitching in to make the spot happen were a veritable who’s who of the Toronto industry, including MacLaren McCann creative Mark Fitzgerald, who lent his writing talents to the project. Toms has worked with Fitzgerald over the years on Molson jobs, and it was that friendship as well as a number of industry associations which brought the spot together with production value-plus.

The psa presents a tableau of Christmas-in-the-city scenes – shopping bags full of gifts, carolers, a pair of reunited lovers embracing in the crisp, snow-flecked air. As the camera moves from that scene we see a harsh counterpoint to the winter wonderland – a homeless person attempting to keep warm over a subway outlet on the sidewalk. The message ‘Life’s Grate’ flashes on the screen followed by the urging to ‘Please be generous this holiday season.’

Along with Fitzgerald and producer Lesley Parrott, billed as the ‘Fairy Godmother’ of the process, Toms was assisted by editor and post supervisor Griff Henderson from Panic & Bob, The Einstein Bros. for music and dop Dylan McLeod. Toms and Amanda Field produced the spot.

Molson (which set aside its brand time for the broadcast of the spot), Dora Sesler, Initiative Media, Radke Films, Spy Films, The Directors Film Company and The Partners’ Film Company also pitched in.

Randy Perry at dave did the transfer, Sean Cochrane handled online at Axyz and The Lab processed.

Toms also cites major contributions from William F. White, Dwight Crane, which provided a scene-making lrx crane, and LairdFX. The Toronto Transit Commission donated the Union Station location, which hosted the 50-crew shoot day.

Toms says the shoot also provided the opportunity for role-switching among crew, with usual key grip suspect Frank Teunissen assistant directing and Toms’ brother, an assistant director, playing the role of the homeless man.

‘Everyone delivered,’ says Toms of the combined effort.

The new director is ‘champing at the bit’ to get back in the spot saddle and is currently seeking representation.

*Bessies call for entries

The people behind the Bessies have announced the call for entries for the 1999 show, which takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto May 5. Early bird discount deadline is Jan. 15; final deadline is Feb. 12. For info, e-mail Jim Quance at the Television Bureau at jim_quance@tvb.ca.

*People

* John Leggatt has been appointed to the newly created position of senior vp, midwest at Palmer Jarvis ddb. Leggatt will work out of the Edmonton office to bolster the agency’s position in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

* Trevor McConnell has been appointed to the position of vp, creative director, and Helene Leggatt has assumed the position of vp/gm at the Edmonton office.