PS Creative, based in Birmingham, England, has finished off a commercial spot and a sting (British broadcasting jargon for an interstitial or bumper in the U.S.) for its U.K. clients S4C and Drayton Manor. Welsh broadcaster S4C commissioned the company to produce a :10 animated sting. PS Creative director Nicola Scurlock used a handheld Super 8 to shoot nature footage he digitally combined using Adobe AfterAffects and Photoshop with a hand drawn animation overlay to create "Spectrum," which explores the delicate touches of nature, light and colors of spring. "Snowflake Kaleidoscope," another :10 interstitial combining 2D and 3D animation, is in production for S4C. PS Creative also just completed a new 3D computer animated spot for Drayton Manor, one of the U.K.'s premiere family themeparks. Directed by Ralph Tittley of Kane Partnership, the :30 commercial was created by PS Creatives animation team, headed up by Martin Povey, with post-production completed by Sound & Picture House, overseen by SPHs Ed Duffield. "This is the first time Drayton Manor has chosen to promote a ride using animation and without using shots or simulation of the ride itself," said Povey. "Excalibur," Drayton Manors new family adventure ride is due to launch in April 2003 with the TV commercial teaser campaign featuring three hapless medieval knights and a dragon. PS Creative was formed in May 2001 by Povey and Scurlock who worked in the television and games industry for five years before setting up on their own animation and TV graphics facility.
