Jump to content

Aggressive (directors)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aggressive
IndustryFilmmakers, Commercial and Music Video Directors
Headquarters,
U.S.
Websitewww.aggressive.tv

Aggressive is a New York based design studio founded by Grammy award-winning filmmakers Alex Topaller and Daniel Shapiro.[1][2][3] They have been described by Movie Creation Mag as "having a fascination with the wonderful, in the likes of the surrealist Rafał Olbiński" and "tenacious about pushing themselves and some overclocked hardware in order to create striking videos" by Video Static.[4]

They have directed and produced music videos for artists including The Beatles, Michael Jackson[5] and Pharrell Williams, and created an XR concert for Alicia Keys.[6][7][8] They have also directed commercials for brands such as Toyota, Bloomberg, Amazon, Google, Boeing, Honda, American Express, Intel, and more.

Their work has been shown at events like SXSW, Global Expo Dubai, The Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach, The UN General Assembly, and Bloomberg New Economy Forum.

Topaller and Shapiro’s film MURALS, which uses 3D scanning to depict the war devastation in Ukraine and images of Banksy’s artwork,[9][10][11][12][13] premiered at the Cannes Film Festival[14] and won the Audience Award for "Best Art & XR" at the BFI London Film Festival and the “Best International Immersive” Award at Doc Edge Festival.[15][16][17][18]

Their science fiction thriller ESCAPE ATTEMPT premiered at the Sitges Film Festival[19][20][21] and won the "Navigator Pirx Award for Best Sci-Fi" at the Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival.[22] It also received "Best Sci-Fi" and "Grand Prize" awards at FilmQuest[23] and debuted in Canada at the Fantasia International Film Festival.[24][25][20][26][27]

Both coming up from VFX backgrounds, Topaller and Shapiro take a hands-on approach in all aspects of the process, from concept development, to shoot direction, all the way through post-production.[28]

In February 2022, Aggressive launched Paper Planes, a relief project supporting Ukrainian artists impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[29][30] The not-for-profit collaborated with over 50 Ukrainian artists, creating over 500 pieces of art, culminating in a charity exhibition at the ShowGallery in Los Angeles on March 27, 2023.[31][32]

Accolades

[edit]

Music Video Awards

[edit]

Film and Creative Awards

[edit]
  • 2016 Best Experimental BassAwards (1976)[35]
  • 2016 Vimeo Staff Pick (1976)
  • 2016 Nowness (1976)
  • 2019 Communication Arts Award Of Excellence (Land O'Lakes “The Copernicus Project”)[36]
  • 2019 Best of Behance 2019 (“The Copernicus Project” & “Bloomberg RCRT Data Viz”)
  • 2020 AICP Next Creative Data Shortlist (Land O'Lakes “The Copernicus Project”)
  • 2020 D&AD Graphic Design Shortlist (Land O'Lakes “The Copernicus Project”)
  • 2021 Communicator Award Of Excellence (Freight Rail Works “Transforming Tomorrow”)
  • 2021 Communicator Award Of Excellence Integrated Campaign (Freight Rail Works “Transforming Tomorrow”)
  • 2021 ADC Awards Spatial Design Bronze (Amazon “Inside The Boys”)
  • 2021 ADC Awards Innovation Merit (Amazon “Inside The Boys”)
  • 2021 ADC Awards Digital Experiences Merit (Amazon “Inside The Boys”)
  • 2021 The One Show Merit (Amazon “Inside The Boys”)
  • 2022 AAFDC Awards Best Of Cross Platform (“9/11 Never Forget Fund”)
  • 2022 AAFDC Awards Gold Campaign (“9/11 Never Forget Fund”)
  • 2022 AAFDC Awards Gold Cross Platform (“9/11 Never Forget Fund”)
  • 2022 AAFDC Awards Silver Marketing (“9/11 Never Forget Fund”)
  • 2022 AAFDC Awards Silver PSA (“9/11 Never Forget Fund”)
  • 2022 Communicator Award Of Excellence (“9/11 Never Forget Fund”)
  • 2023 Communicator Award Of Excellence (Freight Rail Works “Coupler”)
  • 2023 AAFDC Awards Gold & Best Of Film (Freight Rail Works “Coupler”)
  • 2023 AAFDC Awards Gold Animation & VFX (Freight Rail Works “Coupler”)
  • 2023 AAFDC Awards Best Of Film (Freight Rail Works “Coupler”)
  • 2023 Cannes Film Festival NEXT Official Selection (“MURALS”)[37]
  • 2023 BFI London Film Festival Audience "Award for Best Art and XR" (“MURALS”)[38][39][40]
  • 2023 Sitges Film Festival Official Selection (“Escape Attempt”)[41][42]
  • 2023 Warsaw International Film Festival Out Of Competition (“MURALS”)
  • 2023 FilmQuest Festival Best Sci-Fi Award (“Escape Attempt”)[27]
  • 2023 FilmQuest Festival 2023 Grand Prize (“Escape Attempt”)[26][27]
  • 2023 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) Official Selection (“MURALS”)[43][44]
  • 2023 Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF) Immersive Competition (“MURALS”)[45]
  • 2023 Ciclope Festival, Berlin, Germany "Bronze Award" (“MURALS”)
  • 2024 LAKFF 2024 Official Selection (“Escape Attempt”)
  • 2024 Les Intergalactiques Sci-Fi Festival Official Selection (“Escape Attempt”)
  • 2024 Doc Edge Festival ‘Best International Immersive Impact’ Award (“MURALS”)[46]
  • 2024 Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (HÕFF) "Navigator Pirx Award for Best Sci-Fi Film" (“Escape Attempt”)[27][22]
  • 2024 Hollywood Shortfest Official Selection (“MURALS”)
  • 2024 The Webby Awards "Best Installation or Experience Nominee" (“MURALS”)[47][48]
  • 2024 ADC Awards Design for Good Bronze Cube (“MURALS”)[49]
  • 2024 AICP NEXT "Experiential Shortlist" (“MURALS”)
  • 2024 AICP NEXT "Purpose Driven" Shortlist (“MURALS”)
  • 2024 DeadCenter Film Festival Official Selection (“MURALS”)
  • 2024 RIFF 2024 Official Selection (“Escape Attempt”)
  • 2024 Zagreb Film Festival Official Selection (“Escape Attempt”)
  • 2024 Fantasia Film Festival 2024 Official Selection (“Escape Attempt”)[27][50]
  • 2024 BIFAN Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival Official Selection (“MURALS”)[51][52]
  • 2024 Cannes Lions Design Shortlist (“MURALS”)[53]
  • 2024 Collision Awards "Craft: Art Direction" Silver (“MURALS”)
  • 2024 Collision Awards "Craft: Directing" Silver (“MURALS”)
  • 2024 Collision Awards "Social Impact" Gold (“MURALS”)
  • 2024 Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) Official Selection (“Escape Attempt”)

Exhibitions

[edit]

Music videos

[edit]
Year Song Title Artist(s) Ref #
2015 Change Your World Tiësto featuring Jane Zhang [55]
2014 Loves Me Not Cris Cab [56]
2013 Liar Liar Cris Cab featuring Pharrell [57]
2013 Live for the Night Krewella [58]
2012 Eat Dirt Susan Justice [59]
2011 Behind the Mask Michael Jackson [60][61]
2010 Cinnamon Stone Temple Pilots [62]
2010 Happiness Alexis Jordan [63]
2009 Breakeven The Script
2008 Walking on Air Kerli [64]
2008 Gotas de Agua Dulce Juanes
2008 Me Enamora Juanes
2007 Jenny The Click Five
2007 The Arms of Sorrow Killswitch Engage
2007 À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free) Megadeth
2006 I Still Remember Bloc Party [65]
2006 Concrete Jungle Black Label Society
2006 Born to Lead Hoobastank
2005 Summer Nights Lil Rob

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Grammy Award-Winning Directors Alex Topaller & Dan Shapiro Head to Fantasia International Film Festival with Sci-Fi Short 'Escape Attempt'". Popternative. 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  2. ^ "Escape Attempt: New Sci-Fi on way to Fantasia Festival 2024". moviehooker.com. 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  3. ^ "Aggressive? The Filmmakers Behind the Design-Driven Production Company Create and Craft with Attitude | LBBOnline". lbbonline.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  4. ^ "PROFILE: Aggressive, directing/fx team, Refused TV". VideoStatic. Archived from the original on 2011-08-05. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  5. ^ "WATCH IT: Michael Jackson "Behind The Mask" (Aggressive, dir.)". VideoStatic. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  6. ^ Briones, Isis. "According To Alicia Keys, This Was Her Most Amazing Performance Ever". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  7. ^ "American Express UNSTAGED Presents a Special Performance from Global Icon Alicia Keys in Celebration of Her New Album ALICIA to Music Fans Around the World". AP News. 2020-09-14. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  8. ^ Brooks, Dave (2020-09-14). "Amex Unstaged Series Books Virtual Alicia Keys Experience". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  9. ^ Barraclough, Leo (2023-05-02). "Cannes 3D Experience 'Murals' Teaser Debuts Featuring Banksy Artwork (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  10. ^ ""Is it ok to make art out of live conflict?" the 'Murals' team on their 3D immersive work about Ukraine". Screen. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  11. ^ "Video installation inspired by Banksy's 'Murals' in Ukraine shown in Tallinn". ERR. 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  12. ^ "MURALS: How an Immersive Take on Banksy's Artwork Confronted the Reality of the Conflict in Ukraine | LBBOnline". lbbonline.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  13. ^ Higgins, Charlotte (2023-11-06). "How do you memorialise the horrors of war? In Ukraine, it happens quickly, and with love". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  14. ^ "In Cannes, a film about the occupation of the Kyiv region was presented".
  15. ^ Cunningham, Nick (2023-05-17). "Cannes Next: Murals by Artem Ivanenko, Alex Topaller & Daniel Shapiro". Business Doc Europe. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  16. ^ "'MURALS' Takes Home Audience Award for Best Art and XR at BFI London Film Festival 2023 | LBBOnline". lbbonline.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  17. ^ Світлана, Чернецька (2023-05-18). "Українські теми представлені одразу на кількох майданчиках Каннського кінофестивалю: подробиці". podrobnosti. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  18. ^ Cureton, Demond (2023-05-15). "Cannes XR Debuts Ukraine, Banksy VR Experiences". XR Today. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  19. ^ "ESCAPE ATTEMPT Trailer: Fantasia-Bound Sci-fi Short Film is Too Big For This Format". MovieBloc. 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  20. ^ a b "Impressive Full Trailer for 'Escape Attempt' - A Cerebral Sci-Fi Short | FirstShowing.net". www.firstshowing.net. 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  21. ^ "'Escape Attempt': Ciencia ficción y duras reflexiones sobre la condición humana". Cronica (in Spanish). 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  22. ^ a b "HÕFF 2024 announced the winners". hoff.ee. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  23. ^ "Sci-Fi Short 'Escape Attempt' Is First Film to Win the Filmquest Festival Grand Prize "Golden Cthulhu" | LBBOnline". lbbonline.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  24. ^ "Grammy Award-Winning Directors Alex Topaller & Dan Shapiro Head to Fantasia with ESCAPE ATTEMPT". Grammy Award-Winning Directors Alex Topaller & Dan Shapiro Head to Fantasia with ESCAPE ATTEMPT. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  25. ^ "Impressive Full Trailer for 'Escape Attempt' - A Cerebral Sci-Fi Short". Ground News. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  26. ^ a b Ford, Allan (2024-07-18). "'Escape Attempt' Trailer: A Thrilling Sci-Fi Journey from WWII to Alien Gulag". FilmoFilia. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  27. ^ a b c d e "ESCAPE ATTEMPT Trailer: Fantasia-Bound Sci-fi Short Film is Too Big For This Format". ScreenAnarchy. 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  28. ^ ברנע, אור (2014-09-17). אקטיב אגרסיב - תרבות ובידור. Ynet. Ynet.co.il. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  29. ^ Watercutter, Angela. "Meet the People Illustrating the Brutality of War in Ukraine". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  30. ^ "PaperPlanes - Chronology of the Russian-Ukrainian war through the eyes of Ukrainian artists". www.paperplanes.art. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  31. ^ "Paper Planes". SHOW Gallery. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  32. ^ ""War Knocked on the Door to my House": How a New Exhibition Is Offering Extraordinary Perspectives on Ukrainian Creativity | LBBOnline". lbbonline.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  33. ^ "NEWS: Aggressive Nab Latin Grammy for Juanes". VideoStatic. Archived from the original on 2012-05-22. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  34. ^ "9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards Winners List". Archived from the original on 2010-09-01. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  35. ^ "Лучшие онлайн казино в Казахстане → Топ от экспертов, 2023". Bassawards (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  36. ^ "Land O'Lakes". Communication Arts. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  37. ^ Barraclough, Leo (2023-05-02). "Cannes 3D Experience 'Murals' Teaser Debuts Featuring Banksy Artwork (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  38. ^ "'MURALS' Takes Home Audience Award for Best Art and XR at BFI London Film Festival 2023 | LBBOnline". lbbonline.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  39. ^ Le, Jim (2023-11-03). "🏆 MURALS Receives Prestigious Audience Award at BFI London Film Festival". Marché du Film. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  40. ^ "67th BFI London Film Festival brings in record audience and announces LFF Audience Award winners". BFI. 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  41. ^ "Escape Attempt | Sitges Film Festival". sitgesfilmfestival.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  42. ^ Escape Attempt (2023) | MUBI. Retrieved 2024-08-21 – via mubi.com.
  43. ^ Staff, F. N. E. "27th Tallinn Black Nights will show a record number of Ukrainian films - FilmNewEurope.com". www.filmneweurope.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  44. ^ Uudised, Head (2023-10-31). "Banksy avaldab PÖFFil toetust Ukrainale". Eesti elu | GoodNews (in Estonian). Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  45. ^ Williams, Tom (2023-10-31). "Murals wins audience award for best immersive/XR work at LFF". British Cinematographer. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  46. ^ "Kiwi Film 'Every Little Thing' Soars At Doc Edge Awards | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  47. ^ "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". NEW Webby Gallery + Index. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  48. ^ "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". NEW Webby Gallery + Index. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  49. ^ "Polish Film Institute | Murals". www.oneclub.org. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  50. ^ Nguyen, John (2024-07-16). "Sci-Fi Short 'Escape Attempt' About Soldier Escaping WWII Camp to Premiere at Fantasia Film Festival 2024". Nerd Reactor. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  51. ^ "Beyond Reality @ Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) 2024". XRMust. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  52. ^ "Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival". BIFAN. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  53. ^ "Immersive Exhibition 'MURALS' Shortlisted for Design Cannes Lions | LBBOnline". lbbonline.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  54. ^ "Pokaz filmu "Murals" na fasadzie Muzeum Sztuki Nowoczesnej - Muzeum Sztuki Nowoczesnej w Warszawie". artmuseum.pl (in Polish). 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  55. ^ "Tiesto, Chinese Pop Star Jane Zhang Reimagine 'Change Your World' : Buzz". Music Times. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  56. ^ "Aggressive: Cris Cab "Loves Me Not"?". Stashmedia.tv. 2014-06-23. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  57. ^ "Cris Cab f/ Pharrell "Liar Liar" (Aggressive, dir.)". VideoStatic. 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  58. ^ "In Depth: Krewella – Live for the Night – Official Music Video". Archived from the original on 2013-11-09. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  59. ^ "WATCH IT: Susan Justice "Eat Dirt" (Alex Topaller + Dan Shapiro, dir.)". VideoStatic. 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  60. ^ "Digital Edition 5". Archived from the original on 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2011-06-13.
  61. ^ "Michael Jackson "Behind The Mask" (Aggressive, dir.)". VideoStatic. 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  62. ^ "STONE TEMPLE PILOTS Films 'Cinnamon' Video - Aug. 7, 2010". Archived from the original on 2012-09-08. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  63. ^ Doug (2010-06-02). "WATCH IT: Alexis Jordan "Happiness" (Aggressive, dir.)". VideoStatic. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  64. ^ "Aggressive for Kerli "Walking on Air" music video". Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  65. ^ Directorial Team Aggressive Shoots and Creates Effects for Bloc Party Music Vid - DesignTAXI
[edit]