The boldly named 3D animation and VFX studio Bazillion Pictures, is being reborn, with owner and creative director Jeff Beith embarking on a campaign to introduce its creative services to a wider audience. The studio is based out of a facility in Kansas City, which has been reorganised and expanded to improve workflow with an integrated suite of services including everything from compositing, editing and colour correction, to interactive elements and audio. By utilising this integrated approach, Beith hopes that Bazillion will be celebrated as a one-stop shop for 3D animated commercials, branded content and more. CGI-driven ad spots will, however, remain the core of Bazillion’s business, with recent work from regional as well as national brands, such as Bayer, John Deere, Snapple, Sprint, Sylvania, Universal Studios, DuPont, GE, and Wal-Mart.
Bazillion Showreel
Bazillion is built a solid reputation over almost two decades as a cost-effective, high-quality source for agencies looking to implement dynamic 3D animation, live action compositing, photo-realistic still imagery, interactive content and visual FX into their work. The agency works primarily on commercials and branded content, but has also created effects for special venues and experiences. Bazillion has also expanded into other applications over the years, such as architectural projection mapping, digital media, high resolution print and interactive apps. According to the agency itself, their mission statement is to commit to “Creating media content for both digital and traditional platforms that consistently delivers memorable brand experiences” for their clients and creative partners.
The studio is based out of a facility in Kansas City's Crossroads Art District
The Bazillion boutique, which is located in the city's Crossroads Art District, is housed in 5,000 square feet of open-architecture, which is home to over a dozen custom-built animation/graphics workstations, four Unity Interactive workstations, dedicated editing and audio suites, as well as its own isolation room for recording voice-overs, sound FX, and instruments. The restructure and expansion of the studio coincides with the new Bazillion website, which was launched recently to showcase the wide range of integrated services the studio offers and to highlight the company's award-winning work in speciality markets.
Jeff Beith (right) runs Bazillion with the help of executive producer Diann Roche (left)
Beith runs Bazillion with the help of executive producer Diann Roche, and together they oversee a team of highly-skilled animators, FX artists, character animators, editors, compositors and producers. Beith said that the expansion plans have been a long time coming, and that, in essence, “Bazillion has been in growth mode since its inception.” He says they have made it their mission over the years to “Anticipate the changing needs of the advertising industry,” and that “Expanding (studio) space, investing in technology, and handpicking a roster of diverse, top-caliber talent has been key” to this approach. He adds that their staff “Thrive on developing new and innovative solutions that push creative boundaries,” which he believes will be “Key to building a national brand."
The restructure and expansion of the studio coincides with the launch of a new Bazillion website
Roche, meanwhile, feels that, whilst she is pleased with how Bazillion has been growing through word-of-mouth, the restructure could really help them expand beyond their established markets. She said “Up until now Bazillion‘s client base has been growing organically, with word of mouth attracting a growing number of agencies, in the Midwest corridor, as well as Chicago and New York,” but that the “Restructuring of the company” coincides with them taking a more “Pro-active approach to marketing Bazillion in new regions.” She also hopes it will mean a more diverse mix of clients, which she believes will “Keep things fresh,” and expose them to “Different ways of thinking.”
