New York, NY – February 15, 2008 – Directors Christopher Mills and Dave Rasura have joined New York-based mixed-media and animation production company Curious Pictures, executive producer Mary Knox has announced.

“These two directors pretty much personify the breadth of our work here at Curious,” explained Knox.  Mills is a music video director whose work encompasses live action as well as a wide variety of animation, and Rasura’s work is a blend of motion graphics, type design, live action and animation.

A native of Canada, Mills got his start by creating visuals, installations and music videos for bands and music festivals.  His work is an inventive and unusual mix of live action and animation that has garnered numerous honors, including being nominated for an MTV2 Award for his video of Interpol’s “PDA” in 2003.  In addition, his work for “Float On” by Modest Mouse earned three MVA nominations and won MTVU’s Best Video Breakthrough Award.  Mills also toured with The Tragically Hip and directed the band’s 47-minute documentary “Macroscopic,” which appears on their 20-year retrospective package “Hipeponymous.” 

In addition to his music videos, Mills has directed commercials for such advertisers as Wal-Mart, Molson, Labatt’s and Dell.  His first U.S. commercial, for HP and Publicis Seattle, broke on air at the beginning of 2007.  Prior to joining Curious Pictures, he was represented by Spy Films in Toronto.

“Christopher's work is truly extraordinary, and I wanted to work with him here at Curious from the first time I saw it,” comments Knox.  “He knows how to be quite inventive in how he brings his vision to the screen, and he also understands strategy and branding.”

Mills says what he found most enticing about Curious was the range of projects the company handles.  “I'm excited about the fact that Curious has its creative hands in all kinds of baskets, including long-form, videogames and even toys,” he says.  “There are clearly lots of cool stuff and quite a few smart people here to collaborate with.  Most importantly, they’re nice people who are honest.”

To screen Mill’s work and view his bio, go to:
http://www.curiouspictures.com/commercials/directors_mills.html

Dave Rasura’s work incorporates type design, animation and live action, as evidenced in spots he directed for such clients as Coca-Cola, Urban Outfitters, Radio Shack and Volkswagen. Most recently at Curious he directed a Dell spot for Mother for the company’s website.

Rasura graduated from the Art Institute of Dallas with a focus on live-action video production.  His first job was with DNA Productions as a 3-D cinematographer for the Nickelodeon series “Jimmy Neutron.”  It was during this period that Rasura began to explore motion graphics.  When the show wrapped production, Rasura freelanced briefly in Dallas before moving to New York to accept a position as senior designer with Spontaneous. 

“Dave has been freelancing at our studio for the past year, and in that time he’s proven to be not just an extremely talented designer, but someone who agency clients and other artists like to work with,” says Knox.

For Rasura, Curious gives him the opportunity to try out ideas in many areas of production.  “They encourage open-minded thinking here,” he says.  “If you’re working on something in, say, motion graphics, but you have an idea to incorporate live action, they have the capabilities and people available to make your vision happen.  Everyone loves working here for that reason—the environment encourages and supports your creativity.”

To screen Rasura’s work and view his bio, go to:
http://www.curiouspictures.com/commercials/directors_rasura.html

Media Contacts:
Mary Knox
212-674-1400
mknox@curiouspictures.com

Anthony Vagnoni
973-493-8736
anthony@avagnoni.com