What happens when society embraces a radical medical breakthrough without fully understanding its side effects? We Ate the Children Last, a short science fiction film based on Yann Martel’s short story of the same name explores an unsettling answer to this question.

Stay tuned for screening details as We Ate the Children Last premieres at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival, and like us on Facebook.

facebook.com/ weatethechildrenlast

Directed by: Andrew Cividino   Associate Director: Geoff Smart

Produced by: Jonathan Hodgson, Josh Clavir & Karen Harnisch
Duration: 13 mins

We had a lot of fun working on this one. We were faced with a few unique challenges: how can we best photograph this spot to feel like it lives naturally alongside the print campaign? What kind of soundscape will convey the idea of tooth pain without overwhelming the audience? How do we strap a popsicle to Darryl’s face without causing frost bite? Apparently you don’t… sorry Darryl

(no Darryls or popsicles were harmed in the making of this spot)

Like its companion piece, casting was one of our greatest challenges with this spot. We needed to find somebody that exuded the determination and persistence that is required to quit smoking. And they needed to look good doing it. It turns out it’s hard to find somebody who looks good going flat out on a road bike for hours on end in subzero temperatures. Hard, but not impossible! From there it was great fun shooting out of moving vehicles, underwater enclosures, and on long stretches of track. Fun! Fun! Fun! And all for a great cause

Client: Heart & Stroke Foundation
Agency: Agency59
Directed by: Andrew Cividino
Produced by: Josh Clavir

The Egg Farmers of Ontario sent us across the province to document the lives of the individuals who put eggs on our tables. We can’t think of a better opportunity to “eat local”: it was incredibly rewarding to head home at the end of a hard day’s work with some farm fresh eggs. What has stayed with us longest, however, is how committed to family and community these farmers are. Producing almost two dozen videos shot in eight regions was no mean feat, but when collaborating with people who are passionate about what they do, it’s all about letting heart and soul shine through.

Client: Egg Farmers of Ontario
Agency: Agency59

On the most important day of his career, Geoffrey Hutton wakes to discover that his past has come to pay him a visit. Covered in mud from head to toe, his dearly departed are making themselves at home in his pristine apartment. Late for work but longing to embrace his muddy family, Geoff is torn between morning and mourning.

Mud explores memory, death, and loss using visual metaphors: mud is a powerful symbol, a cold and dark manifestation of fear and the unknown. Ultimately, Mud is a film about overcoming grief and moving on with life.

Based on the short story by Geoffrey Forsyth.

Directed by: Andrew Cividino & Geoff Smart
Produced by: Jonathan Hodgson

Duration: 7m 48s

A ten year old boy (Dylan Everette) convinced he has less than 24 hours to live decides to make his last day on earth one to remember.

This project was an exciting opportunity for us to produce the directorial debut of Brad Smith, renowned author of novels All Hat, Busted Flush, and Big Man Coming Down the Road. We were drawn to Brad’s story; a poignant, lighthearted exploration of mortality through the eyes of a ten year old boy.

Written and Directed by: Brad Smith
Produced by: Jonathan Hodgson, Andrew Cividino & Calum deHartog
Duration: 7 mins

We knew going into this spot that casting would define our success. We scoured the province for the perfect yogini and days turned into weeks before we were fortunate enough to land such a talented yoga practitioner. From there we cooked up a lighting design and spent a day shooting two spots, one for web (green screen), and one for theatres (shown here).

Client: Heart & Stroke Foundation
Agency: Agency59

Motorola was looking for an animated campaign to promote key environmental concepts behind the MOTO Renew handset. We took care of the rest.

The first challenge was to find a scenario for our stickman to tell each part of Motorla’s story. From there, a lot of painstaking hand drawn animation (on a tablet), some visual effects work, and a sound mix and original musical score to match the tone of the piece. We’re still big fans of this series of ads!

Client: Motorola
Written and Directed by: Geoff Smart and Andrew Cividino
Duration: 5×30sec

Toronto Public Health wanted to promote awareness about the Air Quality Health Index, a scale designed to help people understand what air quality means to their health. Our challenge was to cut to the heart of an informative subject to produce a spot that both educates and entertains. We spent a great deal of time outside while shooting AQHI enjoying local parks and beautiful summer weather – and got some pretty nasty sunburns while we were at it. Come to think of it, we might just have the perfect idea for TPH’s next PSA.

Client: Toronto Public Health
Agency: Agency59

This project provided us with the opportunity to work on communicating an idea with grade 4 – 6 kids in an age appropriate (aka fun to make) way. We knew that it had to move fast, that it had to be amusing, and that it needed to have a strong visual illustration to reinforce the message. The only downfall is that researching infectious diseases has made this filmmaker a bit of a mysophobic germ nut. Excuse me while I reach for the hand sanitizer…

Client: Toronto Public Health
Agency: Agency59
Directed by: Andrew Cividino & Geoff Smart