OZCETERA Chicken small movie poster and stills
Big Chicken, Small Movie By Zachary Vaudo
A
wesome Inc. and Wieden+Kennedy banded together to create Big Chicken Small Movie on behalf of Kentucky Fried Chicken, premiering the film in August. The new animated short pays homage to Marietta, Georgia’s beloved 56 -foot-tall s teel fowl, The Big Chicken. In the film, a young boy who’s a bit of an outcast finds a friend in the gigantic steel chicken, and they go on an adventure in North Georgia. “The Big Chicken has been a local pop culture icon since 1963. There was a Big Chicken board game in the 70s, and for years the Marietta History Museum’s most popular souvenirs have been Big Chicken shirts, ornaments and even bird houses. On New Year’s
Eve, Marietta doesn’t drop a disco ball, they drop a Big Chicken,” said Anthony Gianino, KFC franchisee owner and VP of marketing for KBP Foods. “And, now, there’s Big Chicken Small Movie: a sweet celebration of a Georgia town and a giant steel chicken.” The creative team from Wieden+Kennedy, KFC’s creative agency, is from the Atlantaarea, and Georgia’s own Awesome Inc. was tapped to bring this to life, keeping the film very Atlanta-centric. “I think every Atlantan has a tender spot for that giant bird, so it was an honor to try to do it proud. Also, I’m excited to show all my friends from high school that I made it to the top… even if it’s just the top of the Big Chicken,”
says copywriter Mike Egan, who was born and raised in Atlanta. The beloved Big Chicken KFC restaurant recently underwent a $2.2 million renovation, reopening to the public in May. “I remember the f irst time I saw the Big Chicken. I was driving around Marietta doing errands and wham! There it was. I thought it was so amazing that I stopped to take a photo and post to my Instagram,” relates Awesome’s design director Craig Sheldon. “It’s been really fun and an honor to work on a short revolving around this iconic piece of Atlanta history. Wieden+Kennedy had a really inspiring vision for the project, and it’s been a joy collaborating with them throughout the process.”
Keslow Camera Acquires Clairmont Camera
K
eslow Camera has acquired Clairmont Camera and its Vancouver and Toronto operations. The move will more than quadruple Keslow Camera’s anamorphic and vintage lens inventory, and add a substantial range of custom camera equipment to the company’s extensive portfolio. Simultaneously, Clairmont founder Denny Clairmont, one of the industry’s most respected talents in front and behind the camera, announced his retirement. C o m p a n y f o u n d e r a n d C E O Ro b e r t Keslow said, “This acquisition perfectly aligns with Keslow Camera’s mission: to never stop growing, never stop learning, and never stop improving. The expansion into the two busiest Canadian markets delivers on our clients’ ongoing requests for us to service them in more areas of the world.” Keslow Camera will retain the talented support staff and experienced team at Clairmont’s
16
Oz Magazine - film. tv. entertainment.
Denny Clairmont
Vancouver and Toronto facilities, who have been offering professional digital and film cameras, lenses and accessories to the filmmaking community since the 1980s. All operations within California will eventually be consolidated to Keslow Camera’s headquarters in Culver City. Clairmont noted that this deal also serves as his endorsement. “Clairmont Camera is my
life’s work and I never stopped searching for innovative ways to serve our clients. I have long respected Robert Keslow and the team at Keslow Camera for their integrity, quality of management, best-in-class customer service, and successful performance. I am confident they are the right company to honor my heritage and founding vision going forward,” said Clairmont. “We are honored to have earned Denny Clairmont’s trust, and recognize the work and innovation that he and his great team have brought to the industry over the past 70 years,” added Keslow’s chief operating officer Dennis McDonald. “To be able to offer our personalized level of service in more locations, with a wider range of technology to serve the needs of the creative community, we’re poised to elevate the Keslow experience for current and new customers.”