Woodshop Carves Out Design, Animation Niche
Creative Director Trevor Shepard and EP Sam Swisher open the doors on a new studio in Culver City called Woodshop.
Woodshop Offers Options in Design and Animation
Partners Trevor Shepard and Sam Swisher have opened WoodShop, a production company focused on design and animation, in the Los Angeles Helms District. Focusing on collaboration and creative partnership, the partners say that WoodShop will work on end tags, titles, fully animated spots, live-action direction, production and/or somewhere in between.
As Creative Director, Shepard leads WoodShop's design, animation and live action projects. Before starting WoodShop he was involved in the launch of Rock Paper Scissor's sister company, Elastic, where he held the role of Creative Director. Previously he had been an Art Director with Stardust, and, before that, an Animator/Designer at Blind and Motion Theory. He's known known for his work on HP, Toyota, and Pepsi and others.
Swisher is Woodshop's Executive Producer and is a veteran of the industry with knowledge of every side of the business. He started his film career at CAA, then transitioned into the development office of Propaganda Films before segueing into commercial live action as a line producer. From there he moved to post as the EP/Head of Sales for Public VFX, working primarily on photo-real visual effects.
It was on a leisurely bike ride that the long-time friends conceived of the WoodShop concept. "We wanted to bring our diverse skill sets and attitude, which is a combination of playful, efficient and soulful, to the creative landscape" Shepard explains.
The duo started working unofficially out of their homes, attracting clients like Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and The Martin Agency. Before building out their custom space, they had already done design and animation work for brands like Nintendo, ESPN and Dickies. They also recently directed their first spots under the WoodShop banner for Nestle and Sonic.
WoodShop's studio is located in Culver City's famed Helms Bakery, a repurposed 1930's bread factory. Retaining the industrial charm of Helm's original occupants, WoodShop's owners kept the wood buttress ceiling, featured the original concrete floors, and even brought in Northern Californian reclaimed barn wood. The multi-level space houses three modular post production suites and has significant room for growth by expanding up to forty work stations when projects dictate. The executive conference room is fully wired to transmit real-time work from the project suites, allowing clients a remote session while staying in-facility.
Alongside WoodShop is a 4000 square foot sound stage, which will be used as an extension of WoodShop's production arm. WoodShop is one of many advertising businesses moving to the area. Says Swisher "The commercial production and post industry is finally acknowledging the artists' community of Culver City. We look forward to being a noteworthy addition to such an inspiring neighborhood."
Published 1 September, 2011
