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HOLLYWOOD, February 06, 2012 | SHOOT Publicity Wire | --- Commercial and feature film director Enda McCallion has signed with The Traveling Picture Show Company (TPSC) for exclusive representation in the United States. McCallion, who was born in Northern Ireland but has spent most of his career in the U.S., is known worldwide for a highly inventive visual storytelling style that draws on cutting edge visual effects, classic film techniques and a sharp sense of humor. He is the recipient of three D&AD Awards for outstanding direction as well as Clio, Cannes and DGA awards.

McCallion said he was attracted to TPSC by its business model which encompasses both advertising and entertainment media. "I did my research and I really like what they've got going," he said. "I like the energy Kevin, Marie and Chris bring to it," he adds, referring to CEO Kevin Matusow, executive producer Marie Soto and partner/director Chris Woods. "It reminds me of Ritts Hayden, the company where I began my American career."

McCallion also notes that he was impressed that the company features in-house post production services, including visual effects through acclaimed boutique provider Unit Zero VFX. "I like the fact that we can do pre-production, production and post all within the same walls," he says.

Soto describes McCallion as a major talent whose creative skills and ambitions perfectly align with what TPSC looks for in a director. "We are a very director-based company," Soto observes. "Our intent is to keep a small roster of multi-dimensional directors and to support them with world-class resources so that they can explore their interests in many areas."

McCallion, who initially trained as a fine artist, began his directing career in London. His first spot, for men's underwear maker Brass Monkey, won a Bronze British Advertising Award. He later gained international acclaim for Judderman, a spot for Bacardi's Metz brand and London agency HHCL & Partners, that was inspired by early cinema and shot entirely with a hand-cranked camera.

McCallion moved to the United States in 2001 and began a highly successful run with Los Angeles-based Ritts Hayden. He later joined Epoch Films, which represented him both in the U.S. and the U.K. Most recently, he was represented by Great Guns. Along the way, he has directed work for such brands as McDonald's, General Motors, Opel, Renault, Coca Cola, Bank of Ireland, Nestea, Fanta and Citroen. Most recently, he directed a series of sports-oriented ads for the cable channel Versus.

McCallion made his feature debut with Hit and Run, which was released in 2009 by MGM. He currently has a second film in development.

Among McCallion's better known work is a spot promoting television coverage of golf's Ryder Cup. Produced on an epic scale, the spot shows crowds gathering, at first a few dozen, later thousands, in cities all over the world. "We shot that spot all over the world, but it was all done in four days," McCallion recalls. "I shoot very fast."

"It was a very heavy post spot, but it doesn't look like post," he adds. "I like to use post production, but I try to integrate it early to make it look like there is no post at all. I wanted people to look at that spot and wonder, 'Wow, where did all the people come from?'"

About Traveling Picture Show Company

The Traveling Picture Show Company is an award-winning production company located at 1531 N. Cahuenga Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028. TPSC intends to carve out a new path by being an agile, market-driven competitor in the ever-evolving world of commercials, interactive and digital media production. TPSC delivers fresh and innovative content in a team-oriented, collaborative setting, offering clients the highest level of creativity without sacrifice. Backed by over 30 years of combined experience, TPSC is built to challenge the current establishment and stand apart as a major player in the industry.

For more information call 323.769.1115 or visit www.travelingpictureshow.tv.

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The Traveling Picture Show Company (TPSC), a new production studio with an award-winning pedigree has launched in Los Angeles. Formed by Producer Kevin Matusow, who will serve as CEO, Director Chris Woods, Partner Kate Bacon and Producer Carissa Buffel, the new company will pursue a multi-media model encompassing live-action commercials, long and short form documentary work, scripted and reality television programming and new media.
 
TPSC also plans to offer a slate of production and post-production services via a diverse roster of directors, an in-house visual effects team, music and sound design, and other talent.
 
Among its first hires is Marie Soto, who joins TPSC as an executive producer. Soto's background as an EP includes work with such production houses as @radical.media, Riot and Belief Design, where she's worked on projects for such clients as Pantene, Lexus, Sony, LG, Motorola and others.  She'll lead TPSC's sales and marketing effort.
 
"Our aim is to build a full-scale facility with broad resources," says Matusow. "We can offer advertising agencies and clients worldwide a one-stop production solution, with expertise in all areas of live action commercial production and post production.
 
TPSC has already forged strategic alliances with the Hollywood-based Unit Zero VFX as its in-house visual effects team and The Noise Deli out of London for music and sound design.
 
Technical Director Attila Zalanyi and Creative Director Gavin Whelan will lead Unit Zero VFX, whose showreel includes work on David Fincher's "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," "Green Lantern," "Sucker Punch," "2012" and "Iron Man 2," as well as commercials for clients such as Lexus, Lazy Boy, Sony PlayStation, Scion and L'Oreal, among others.
 
The Noise Deli brings to TPSC the musical talents of Sally Johnson and Nick Rundell.  Working with such agencies as Wieden + Kennedy, Saatchi & Saatchi and many more, their work has been featured in spots for Chevrolet, Panasonic, Land Rover, LA Fitness and Johnson & Johnson.
The TPSC group (clockwise from bottom left) includes Kate Bacon, Chris Woods, Kevin Matusow, Marie Soto and Carissa Buffel.

Matusow's background spans features, TV, commercials and music videos.  For the past eight years, he and producing partner Carissa Buffel have produced hundreds of commercials and music videos, along with award-winning documentaries. They most recently completed the feature film "Touchback" with Freedom Films set for an April release through Anchor Bay Entertainment.

Their work continues with the Freedom Films' action thriller "Thunder Run," a full CGI-motion capture film starring Gerard Butler, Sam Worthington and Matthew McConaughey, set to begin production early next year.
 
Woods is a seasoned commercial director and director of photography, with stints at Form, Atlas Pictures, Mirror Films and Momentum, the latter a company he co-founded. Best known for his work in action sports and lifestyle, his credits include commercials for Chevy, Jeep, Budweiser, Corona, Toyota, VISA, Mountain Dew, Michelob, McDonald's, Pontiac, Mattel and Hasbro. He has also served as second unit director on several feature films, including "Forrest Gump," "The Sum of All Fears," "The Core" and, most recently, Screen Gems' "Priest."
 
Woods said his decision to become a co-founder of TPSC was motivated by a desire to have greater control over the direction of the company and to pursue a more diverse career path. "I want to take it up a notch and take advantage of the changes that are happening in the industry," he says.  "We believe we've created a model that will enable us to keep moving forward in a very competitive environment."
 
With commercial spots already produced for clients Scottrade and Bud-Light via St. Louis agency Cannonball, TPSC is off to a fast start. Several other projects are currently in pre-production, with Woods directing. And Unit Zero VFX will start work shortly on shots for the new Stephen Sommers' feature "Odd Thomas," based on the novel by Dean Koontz.  The company has established its production facilities in a studio complex on Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood.

Producer Kevin Matusow has launched a new production studio, The Traveling Picture Show Company (TPSC), based in Los Angeles. Matusow, who will serve as CEO, formed the studio along with director Chris Woods, partner Kate Bacon, and producer Carissa Buffel. Marie Soto joins TPSC as an executive producer having worked previously at companies including @Radical Media, Riot and Belief Design with clients including Pantene, Lexus, Sony, LG TV and Motorola. TPSC's work will encompass live-action commercials, long and short form documentary work, scripted and reality television programming and new media. It has forged strategic alliances with Unit Zero VFX as its in-house visual effects team and The Noise Deli out of London for music and sound design.

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