Auckland-based director duo Paul Freeman & Rachel Guidera ‘Underpants’ join Prodigy roster

Underpants is the creative pairing of Auckland-based moving image practitioners Paul Freeman and Rachel Guidera, who together are considered to be one of the most talented creative partnerships to emerge from New Zealand in recent times. 

They have joined the Prodigy roster.

Offering a unique blend of expertise in direction, animation, VFX, design, online and editing, their work has been described as highly innovative, meticulously detailed and in many cases striking.

Notable commercial credits include Telecom ‘Spark’ (NZ), Comfort ‘Crème’ (UK) – one of several successes in the Comfort canon – along with spots such as Sci Fi Channel ‘Bumps’ (AUS), Singapore Police ‘Chess’ (SIN) and the charming Tip Top ‘Goody Goody Gumdrops’ (NZ).

EP Stephen Douglas says Prodigy are thrilled to be working with Freeman and Guidera.

Says Douglas: “In keeping with the name Prodigy, our focus is always on identifying outstanding directorial talent and, without putting too fine a point on it, we believe Underpants are one of the most exciting directing teams around.”

Freeman points out that that part of the appeal of working with Prodigy was their shared holistic vision for capturing the entire creative process under one roof.

Says Freeman: “Boundaries between production and post are becoming blurred and that provides limitless opportunities for fresh ideas and creative innovation. The collaboration also provides us with the opportunity to develop a global platform for marketing Underpants via Prodigy’s international networks.”

Douglas is certain that the signing is a coup.

Douglas added: “I have absolutely no doubt that together we will produce outstanding work for our clients in New Zealand, Australia and internationally.”