Five Questions with… Justin Blyth, Art Director, Stardust Studios

2. What have you found is the best tool or innovation that has come out in
the last year?

It took me a few months to really integrate the MoGraph module for
Cinema 4d, but now I couldn't imagine working without it. Every time I want
to try a new effect, MoGraph has a quick and easy way to pull it off.

3. The project (film, television, commercial or music video) that most
impressed you in the last year? Why?

It is so hard to say that one thing was my favorite out of all the
amazing stuff that comes out each year. If I had to choose I would say Sin
City. I saw a theatrical trailer for Grindhouse last night and I'm pretty
excited for that to come out.

4. The best or favorite project that you worked on in the past year? And
why?

JB: The Nike Force project may have been my favorite project of the year. We
were really able to do whatever we wanted with it and had a lot of fun.

5. Name the top 4 artists on your iPod?
Spankrock
Ghostface
Amy Winehouse
Ed Rec

Project Details: Stardust had the pleasure of working with creatives Joseph Cartman and Steve Caputo and their colleagues at R/GA on behalf of Nike for a :45 web-only spot entitled "Force Heritage." According to Stardust's creative director and founder Jake Banks, his team was asked to create a spot that creatively conveyed the 25-year history of Nike Force, using images of the players, past ad elements and shoe photos from each era. "What we came up with," explained Justin Blyth, Stardust's LA-based art director for the project, "is a flight through the last 25 years of Nike Force and what defines it. Stylistically, the graphics change around us to represent each era as we see the Nike Force players and their styles also change. After developing the boards showing how we would transition through these themes, graphically defining each era, I then worked with Bill Bak and Clint Chang to further refine the design as we animated the project." The spot's custom music track is courtesy of creative director Alex Moulton and composer Mike "G:Neu" Genato of New York-based Expansion Team, and features voiceover by legendary hip-hop recording artist Rakim. "Historically speaking, Eric B. and Rakim are hip-hop pioneers, and both Justin and I have always been big fans," Banks added. "In fact, I cut one of Stardust's first reels to one of their tracks, so it was great to work on something that features Rakim so prominently."

AD AGENCY: R/GA
CITY/STATE: New York, New York
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Joseph Cartman
ART DIRECTOR: Steve Caputo
PRODUCER: Chaz Mee
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Ronelle St. Luc

DESIGN/ANIMATION COMPANY: Stardust Studios
CITY/STATE: Bicoastal
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Jake Banks
ART DIRECTOR: Justin Blyth
PRODUCER: Lisa Pierce
3D ARTISTS: Justin Blyth, Bill Bak, Clint Chang

MUSIC/FINAL MIX COMPANY: Expansion Team
CITY/STATE: New York, NY
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Amy Kindred
PRODUCER: Shelly Bajorek
COMPOSERS: Creative Director: Alex Moulton, Composer Mike Genato (G:Neu)

PRINCIPAL TALENT:
VOICEOVER: Rakim