Big Block Rolls Out Interactive Group

Digital production and visual effects studio Big Block has rolled out a new interactive group. Headed by creative director Marco Comparato, Big Block Interactive will focus on the challenges brought about by new consumer relationship dynamics in the digital space and the opportunities for agencies to maximize and monetize their communication, marketing and branding strategies.

A key component of Big Block Interactive is its networked software development group. A dedicated IT team in Santa Monica is backed by the company’s 1,200 programmers in India, who together will execute the ideas and vision of Big Block’s creative design team.

Big Block Interactive will conceptualize and execute enterprise website design, develop customized software applications, create rich media for banner ads and mobile platforms and produce 3D assets and conceptual animation for interactive content.

Comparato has more than a decade of experience in designing and producing innovative visual communication and multimedia experiences. He has created interactive campaigns and digital content for such diverse clients as Toyota, Chrysler, Honda, Activision’s “Tony Hawk: Ride,” T.G.I. Friday’s, Levi’s, TiVo, Bank of America and the United States Army in conjunction with major agencies like Deutsch, Saatchi & Saatchi, Genex and StreetWise Concepts + Culture.

Previously, Comparato was interactive creative director at Admit One Productions, senior Flash developer at The Designory and senior Flash designer at Saatchi & Saatchi Interactive. Comparato is known for the extensible architecture of his designs for enterprise websites, banner ads and interactive kiosks, which incorporate user-driven video, Google maps, discrete content management systems and various social media APIs in multiple languages, as well as dynamic images for touch-screen interfaces.

Also joining Big Block is executive creative producer Michele Ghersi in a cross-pollination role between all of the studio’s divisions with a focus on live action, VFX and interactive. Ghersi is the founder of Admit One Productions, a commercial production company with an emphasis on automotive advertising, and for which Ghersi is still shooting and directing. He recently wrapped a new campaign for Chrysler SRT though WerksGroup. Ghersi was also director and cinematographer of the television series TORC: The Off-Road Championship.

“I am very excited to be part of the unique synergy of digital and 3D capabilities at Big Block and to transform those assets into cutting-edge interactive ideas and works,” said Comparato.

Kenny Solomon, managing director at Big Block, said, “Big Block has a team of highly talented and tuned-in artists and developers who perform all the roles needed for content creation in the integrated space – design, visual effects, animation, postproduction, live action and coding. Our objective is to offer all of our resources in a powerful value proposition for our clients: to help grow brands and engage consumers with rich and exciting interactive experiences.”