December 29, 2005 – Los Angeles: Director Michael Wright of Rhythm + Hues Commercial Studios recently teamed with Fitzgerald & Company/Atlanta and Blue Planet/Atlanta to direct a spot for The Georgia Lottery entitled “Eye of the Tiger”. Paying tribute to Rocky, this spot featuring puppets illustrates the training and transformation of the old 100 Million Dollar Cash Spectacular lottery ticket into the new and improved 200 Million Dollar Cash Spectacular lottery ticket.

“The Georgia Lottery project was a lot of fun and was my first chance to work with string puppets,” says Director Michael Wright. “This was a really exciting aspect to the project; string puppets have the punch and directness of a performance that I'd get from a animated character (be it CGI or stop motion). And because you can shoot live, there's an immediacy to the performance.”

“I thought the puppets would be difficult, have tantrums, get drunk, and not want to come out of their trailers, but they were a dream to work with,” continues Wright. “Seriously though, it’s a fresh way of getting something that has a bit of an animation charm to it, plus you can go for a bunch of takes and try something different, which you can never do in regular animation.”

“I was really surprised and delighted by the level of performance that Peter Hart, the puppeteer, could get into what was really a flat card with arms,” says Wright. “I think the almost-real-but-a-bit-skewed look was so charming too, a funky take on reality.”

“Michael did an outstanding job directing the puppeteers and made a wonderfully entertaining spot,” says R+H Executive Producer Paul Babb. “I also really enjoyed watching Michael create a totally realistic miniature environment that brought an additional level of fun to the story. He has a true gift for comedy and understands what is visually entertaining.” The spot aired in the fall and winter.

ABOUT RHYTHM + HUES COMMERCIAL STUDIOS

A complete digital studio, with live action, CG animation and vfx, design and post production services, Rhythm + Hues Commercial Studios draws upon the talent and technical firepower of one of the world’s premiere effects and animation facilities, Rhythm & Hues Studios. Adjacent to the 70,000 sq. ft. facility which houses hundreds of digital artists and staff, the 7,000 sq foot boutique facility of Rhythm + Hues Commercial Studios is dedicated to the highest quality of commercial production and outstanding client support.

Recent commercial productions include campaigns for SeaWorld, LeapFrog, Jack in the Box, Activision, Target, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Cox Communications and EA Games. Recent Film Division credits include The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Longest Yard, The Ring 2, X-Men 2 and Serenity. Films currently in production include Superman Returns, Charlotte’s Web and The Fast and The Furious 3.