Andy
I was very fortunate getting in to vfx/design/animation when most people ran the other way. I was especially fortunate to always work with the best companies in the industry, some of whom I still represent after all these years. But my favorite business accomplishments are:
- Creating the first independent repping company back in 1981 when I was still living in LA called ARKIN PRESENTS. One client did vfx/design/animation, one was live action and one was music and had the first Sinclavier for tv commercials.
- Being involved with some of the most memorable tv shows like THOMAS THE TANK (produced by CLEARWATER-I owned the American division); Pee Wee’s Playhouse and BROADCAST ARTS; putting together BEAVIS & BUTTHEAD for Mike Judge and MTV/Viacom and got J.J. Sedelmaier directing the first season. Probably learned the most from that one, like not to trust big corporations.
- Finally dreaming up the name BLAH BLAH BLAH. 2 weeks after announcing the name I attended an event at Lincoln Center and people already remembered the name. Who knew so many years later it would still be going strong!?
Marci
25 years. That’s how long I’ve been a supermodel. Oh wait… I mean… living in the world of animation and VFX. Like many of us, I started at an ad agency (Campbell Ewald) on the Eastern Airlines account (yes, I’m dating myself). After about one year of realizing the account side wasn’t right for me, I moved over to the production side spending two years learning from a live action director here in NYC. From there I spent the next few years learning about animation when I was hired by Broadcast Arts who did Pee Wee’s Playhouse, all the original MTV I.D.’s, Bud Bowl, etc. From that point on, it was all animation and VFX for me. I fell in love with the animation world and the creative people who live in it. This led me to start representing studios from all over the world for commercials, helping to open up studios here in NY, even making my film debut as “The Lunch Lady” in a spot for Nickelodeon at Curious Pictures (if you’re nice to me, I’ll show it to you). My partner, Andy Arkin and I have been working together for… get this… almost 20 years! I’m not sure I could sit next to Johnny Depp for 20 years!
Monica
I randomly got bitten with the advertising love bug and started working in the industry as a producer back in 2007. Since then, I’ve spent a lot of my time producing things in the world of content production and collaborated with clients including Belvedere Vodka, Bud Light, Champs Sports, Macy’s and Johnson & Johnson, to name a few.
Joining forces with Andy and Marci in the wonderful world of VFX/Animation & Design at Blah Blah Blah couldn’t be more timely.
It’s my belief in having goals, dreaming big, aiming for the impossible and accomplishing anything you put your mind to.
Oh, by the way, I hail from this itty bitty state called New Jersey which is across the Hudson but don’t let that fool you. I’m a city girl of the cosmopolitan lifestyle at heart. You can take the girl out of the city but you can’t take the city out of the girl!
Ryan
Nine years ago, I left my hometown of Stow, Ohio for NYC and hit the ground running in production. Since then, I’ve worked for A&E’s Biography channel and The Onion’s dearly departed video department (rest in peace), as well as under my idol, the filmmaker Jim Jarmusch. In 2014, I directed a music video for the band Zulus, which debuted on Vice/Noisey and was featured in the Boston Underground Film Festival. I’m also a huge graphic novel fan, and have self-published a few with some talented illustrator friends.
I’ve always been interested in animation, even though I cannot draw for the life of me! I’m lucky enough to work and interact with the talented studios Blah represents every day. It’s fascinating to see them take an idea and bring it to life in such bold, bright and creative ways.
I currently live in Brooklyn with my fiancé and my rare vinyl record collection. I love recording music with a home studio (aka an old defunct fireplace) full of vintage and contemporary synthesizers. I faithfully eat brunch at the same neighborhood place every Sunday. I ride my bike less than I should. Yup, I’ve become THAT Brooklyn guy!