Based in Los Angeles and London, Biscuit Filmworks is a commercial production company, founded in 2000 by director Noam Murro and managing director Shawn Lacy. It is a full-service production firm that stands on behalf of a diverse range of film directors serving a diverse list of esteemed clients from across the globe. The company has spent the last few decades earning the global reputation for being smart, conceptual in terms of its production and being conscious of its clients’ needs. For these reasons, the company has won a number of awards that include DGA, CANNES and AICP.
In terms of professional production, Biscuit Filmworks is structured into live action section, editorial, visual effects department, experimental, VR and Creative design department, design and animation department and tabletop and product section. The design and animation section mainly comprises of the external woodshop. As a product specialist, Biscuit Filmworks ought to be a smart and funny brand, something that the stakeholders seem to embrace. The company has thus learnt to equip itself with the production techniques that seek to make products memorable. They are interested in knowing how the products feel, how they move and their impacts on consumers.
The company has few full-times employees, working most often with freelancers that they use for different projects. As listed on the company website, the management structure includes the managing director, 2 executive producers and two head of production. The London office is smaller and only includes an executive producer, a production manager and a head of sales. The company also has sales offices in Chicago and New York. They work with 16 different directors, whose works are featured on the company website.
The role of the executive producer is to oversee the work of the producer and to ensure the highest standards of quality. The executive producer is responsible for organizing producers, overseeing the work of all the members of the staff, and managing the budget, as well as completing many other administrative tasks. The executive producer screens the commercial in order to ensure that it meets the requirements of the client. The head of production oversees the production of the commercial director, advising and supporting the staff, including the director and the artistic crew.
In order to understand the company’s role in the realization of such a project, it is important to analyze how a typical project is handled. Thus, when a client needs to promote a product, they approach the commercial production company they want to work with, usually because of the reputation of the company, but also because they want to work with the specific director whose work they have already assessed or are acquainted with. However, before this step, the script must already be finished, the artwork in place, and research completed (Hackley and Hackley 111). The production company then contacts a visual effects group who could help them achieve the visual quality desired by the client. Next, the story boards are created, and then, the basic assets and scenes are built for a previs (Fx Guide). The actual commercial is then shot on location, or in a studio, or both, depending on the budget and on specific necessities. For example, in filming a commercial for an Xbox game, director Noam Murro from Biscuit Filmworks chose a location outside Prague, and also filmed at Studio Barandov (FX Guide). The final product is then subject to screening, where the executive production gives the final approval for the project, if it meets all standards.
In 2015, the company produced a great number of highly appreciated commercials. Director Matt Dilmore realized a Super Bowl ad for Avocados From Mexico, and one for Miracle Gro. Director Jeff Low shot a commercial for Heinz Mustard, while Aaron Stroller shot a spot for Time Warner Cable and one for Hyundai (Diaz). Director Clay Weiner shot a funny commercial based on the 50 Shades of Gray theme for Audi and an equally entertaining ad for Sony. The list also includes director Aaron Ruell’s holiday ad for Walmart (Diaz). Biscuit Productions is a small but very successful commercial production company, being well-known and appreciated in the advertising industry.
Works Cited
Diaz, Ann-Christine. “Production Company A-List 2015: Biscuit Filmworks”. Advertising Age. 2015. Web.
Hackley, Chris and Hackley, Rungpaka Hackley. Advertising and Promotion. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 2015. Print.
“Method Studios Delivers Halo Hope”. Fx Guide. N.d. Web.
