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 living in the world of animation and VFX. Like many of us, I started at an ad agency (Campbell Ewald). Soon thereafter, I moved over to the production side spending two years with a live action director here in NYC.
Next stop…. The famous Broadcast Arts, the NYC animation hub 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 to representing animation/VFX 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… over 20 years!
Monica
I randomly got bitten with the advertising love bug over a decade ago and began my career as an agency producer producing for brands around the world.
I joined forces with Andy, Marci and Ryan a few years back and the transition to representing Animation/VFX/Experiential studios has been magical.
The opportunities that allow our studios from across the globe to collaborate with agencies/producers on iconic, memorable spots has been extremely gratifying.
I believe in having goals, dreaming big, aiming for the impossible and accomplishing anything you put your mind to.
I’m inspired daily by creativity, the arts and culture. I’m always in the process of making things happen, dancing under the lights, belting a tune at Karaoke or…solving acronyms
Ryan
13 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 wife and rare vinyl record collection. I love recording music with a home studio full of vintage synthesizers. I faithfully eat brunch at the same neighborhood place every Sunday. I ride my bike less than I should. Yup, I’m THAT Brooklyn guy!