DIRECTOR BUCKY FUKUMOTO JOINS LOCKSMITH CONTENT
Locksmith Content, the content creation and production studio based here, has signed Bucky Fukumoto to its expanding roster of directing talent. The announcement was made by Benjamin Blank and Stephen McDonald, founders and partners of Locksmith Content (www.locksmithcontent.com). Fukumoto joins the company as it embarks on an ambitious expansion of its roster of directors and the opening of an office in San Francisco.
Previously represented by The Directors Bureau, Fukumoto recently directed the viral video sensation “Duel of the Masters/Kung Fu” for the San Francisco agency Heat. The two-minute video promotes EA SPORTS’ new Tiger Woods PGA Tour13 on Kinect for Xbox 360, a full-swing motion-control version of the bestselling video game. It stars Tiger Woods as “Little Cat” and Shaquille O’Neal as “Swinging Giant” in a “Golf-Fu” golf swing showdown. Last year, Fukumoto shot “We’ve Got the Hookup,” a campaign for Champ Sports featuring Rajon Rondo that also went viral. He is well known for his work with Morrissey after helming six of the British pop-icon’s music videos and two feature length concert films. Fukumoto has established a reputation as a director with an eye for bold and imaginative imagery, infused with an appreciation and generous use of graphic design and animation.
“Bucky is the rare, truly multi-hyphenate talent,” said McDonald. “Along with live action he is skilled at animation and motion graphics as well as editorial without skipping a beat. He’s basically a workaholic who is a blast to be around. We are fortunate to have him.”
“I’m super-stoked to be with Locksmith,” said Fukumoto. “It’s great to be somewhere really supportive, even supportive of the dumb ideas and late night alcohol epiphanies.”
Fukumoto launched his career after graduating from CalArts; turning a passion for skateboarding and art into an art directing gig at skateboard companies Girl and Chocolate, where he worked with skate and BMX luminaries, Andy Jenkins and Spike Jonze. Later, he moved on to a stint as a motion graphics designer, branding consultant and convergence media specialist for FUEL Inc., creating award-winning work for ESPN, UPS, MTV, X-Games and many others. Freelance work followed at motion graphics companies such as Brand New School, Logan, Blind, National Television and many others around the Los Angeles area.
“He’s a really talented guy with a great perspective,” said Blank. “His background in effects/design elevate him from a director who has a vision to a director who can execute a vision he has. He also happens to be the kind of guy that agencies call to pick his brain about a project or simply to hang out.”
Fukumoto joins Locksmith as the company begins to ramp up its content production services, signing new talent and expanding its reach. Since it’s founding in 2006, Locksmith has become one of the West Coast’s premier content producers. This year the company plans to open a San Francisco office that will be managed by Vince Genovese, partner and producer.
Watch "Duel of the Masters" here http://youtu.be/chtNLyraGwI
