Chicago-based Filmworkers announced that it has reached an agreement with veteran colorist Craig Leffel to represent him for color correction projects in the Midwest. Leffel will continue to serve as executive producer of Big Spoon Industries, the creative production studio he formed last fall, while handling color correction assignments through Filmworkers.
Leffel has been practicing the craft of color correction in Chicago for more than 20 years. He has worked with all of the city’s top advertising agencies for accounts including Coors Lite, American Family Insurance, Kraft, Coca-Cola, the Illinois Board of Tourism and the Chicago Blackhawks.
“Craig is a long-time friend and a pillar of the Chicago advertising community,” said Filmworkers president Reid Brody. “We’re very excited to provide him with a venue to service his customers through Filmworkers.”
Leffel’s background includes a 15-year run as senior colorist at Optimus and three years as director of production of its production arm, ONE at Optimus. He also was a partner in the company. He left Optimus last fall to launch Big Spoon Industries, a collective of directors, artists and designers focused on producing work directly for brands, digital agencies and marketing firms.
Leffel said that his agreement with Filmworkers allows him to continue to pursue his passion for production and storytelling, while meeting demand for his skill as a colorist. “It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “I’ve had a long relationship with Reid, and we share a similar respect for color correction. I like the people at Filmworkers and the support they give to their artists. They are a perfect ally.”
“Color correction, for me, is a very iterative process,” he said. “It’s about interpreting the thinking of the creative team and interpreting what was captured on the set, and turning it into something people want to see on screen. In the best scenario, it goes beyond what anyone hoped or imagined.”
