Saville Adds Harner, Sehsucht

Saville Deepens Roster with Harner, Sehsucht Signings

Sehsucht produced this animated environmental spot for Volkswagen.

Saville Productions has signed director David Harner, a former agency creative whose work in TV commercials has won an EMMY, and the mixed-media capabilities of the German motion design studio Sehsucht.
 
A specialist in performance and dialogue, Harner's directorial work includes often emotional spots for brands like Allstate, Toyota, McDonald's, Cheerios, Colgate, AT&T and Pfizer. His work on the Hallmark "Required Reading" short (which he also wrote) was recognized with an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Commercial.
 
"David is a terrific storyteller who is able to communicate ideas in a powerful and emotional way," says Saville's Executive Producer Rupert Maconick.  "He also brings his skill and experience of ten years as an advertising creative to the directorial process. He not only relates to the creatives but also understands the dynamic of the client relationship."
 
After studying at the Ringling School of Art & Design, Harner went to New York where he worked for such agencies as BBDO, Y&R, and JWT. He began directing in 2000.  
 
Sehsucht was founded by Martin Woelke and Ole Peters in 2000. The studio, whose name roughly translates to 'visual addition' in English, employs over 30 creative designers and graphic artists in their Hamburg and Berlin offices, including former PSYOP Director Mate Steinforth.  Their portfolio includes work for clients as diverse as Google, Lamborghini, VW, Mercedes-Benz, Haagen-Dazs, Sparkasse and Davidoff.
 
"Sehsucht creates some of the most visually stunning and original motion graphics around today," says Maconick.  "It's rare to find a creative team that has a 'wow' factor with their work, but these guys definitely have it. They always push the boundaries of filmmaking, animation and graphics."
 
Sehsucht grew out of Peters' and Woelke's passion for motion graphics.  "We realized its potential, and in Germany we were kind of missionaries, going from agency to agency, reporting and trying to delight people with these new ideals and passions," explains Peters. "We were crazy about working out graphical compositions rather than just making effects and picture manipulation," adds Woelke.
 
Sehsucht first came to prominence with their campaigns for Sparkasse, Financial Services and  "Glass Music" for Skoda. The creative shop has been awarded more than sixty times for creative excellence, and has scored Clios, One Show, LIAA, D&AD, Epica, Eurobest, NY Festival, BDA, ANDY and Red Dot honors.  They were also feted for their "Sounds of Summer" campaign for Mercedes-Benz, which won a Cannes Gold Lion and the Golden Award of Montreux.

Published 11 April, 2011