Geomedia has been selected as a recipient of the 2006 Aurora Award, Platinum Best in Show, for our visual FX work on the Valero “Practically Overnight” commercial.

Using an assortment of visual effects, a neighborhood Shamrock gas station transforms into a Valero branded corner-store over a 24 hour cycle. The spot also received an Addy Award, earlier this year.

“The effects are subtle, but substantial” said animation director Troy Davis. “In fact, you can watch the spot several times and still not catch all the small effects taking place on screen. But the visuals work together effectively to drive home Valero’s re-branding message.” he added.

Others who contributed on the commercial were Laszlo Rain and producer Kim Wright. The Aurora Award is an international competition and is judged by panels of film and video professionals set up in major cities across the country.

Well I’m back, yes it’s me Smiley, for those of you who don’t care or didn’t even notice I was gone please skip ahead. I left the Geomedia team in March of this year to explore! To find myself! No really, I left to be closer to family and eventually start one of my own in Houston. Once I arrived in Houston I realized how much I loved San Antonio and that “family” does not necessarily mean you have the same blood running through your veins. Well, enough of the enlightening Houston experience, what counts is that I am back and could not be happier to be back with brilliant and creative minds at Geo. Oh before I forget, thanks so much for everything to the majority of the TWC Houston employees who treated me like one of thier own. You guys are Comcastic!

On to the reason of this outburst. For my first trick back at Geo I will be attempting to clone the Skater mini. Notice I did say ATTEMPT. I am not guaranteeing victory I am just attempting it. No hard date and no I will not be selling them on ebay. The first stages of this project will be 1:10 scale made completely out of construction paper, preferably pink.

Once that is complete and to industry standards, I plan on constructing a test version out of wood. If it turns out to be everything I dreamed it to be, I hope to continue developing and eventually constructing a final product out of alluminum.

So cross your fingers and wish me luck on my journey. Also I probably won’t be starting this journey until after the holidays, so if someone out there feels like embarking on this journey with me, you will be welcomed with open arms. To be continued…