NEW YORK CITY — Creative content company Alkemy X (www.alkemy-x.com) has significantly ramped up its creative ranks through two major moves. First, Alkemy X has entered into a joint venture with multidisciplinary studio Quietman. In addition, Alkemy X has brought on director/creative director Megan Oepen.
Photo (L-R): Semerad and Oepen
The Quietman deal will see founder/creative director Johnnie Semerad moving the operations of his company into Alkemy X, where both parties will share all creative talent, resources and capabilities. Semerad co-founded Quietman in 1996 as a Flame-based visual effects company. Since then, it has expanded into the full gamut of production and post production services, producing more than 100 Super Bowl spots, and earning a Cannes Grand Prix, two Emmy Awards, and many other honors along the way.
“Quietman's reputation of high-end, award-winning work is a tribute to Johnnie's creative and entrepreneurial spirit,” says Justin B. Wineburgh, Alkemy X president/CEO. “Over the course of two decades, he grew and evolved Quietman from a fledgling VFX boutique to one of the most renowned production companies in advertising and branded content. By joining forces with Alkemy X, we'll no doubt build on each other's legacies collectively.”
“What I’ve learned over the years is that you have to constantly reinvest and reinvent, especially as clients increasingly demand start-to-finish projects,” says Semerad. “Our partnership with Alkemy X will elevate how we serve existing and future clients together, while bolstering our creative and technical resources to reach our potential as commercial filmmakers. The best part of this venture? I’ve always been listed with the Qs, but now, I’m with the As!”
Alkemy X is also teaming up with Megan Oepen, an award-winning creative director and live-action director with 20 years of broadcast, sports and consumer brand campaign experience. Some of her notable clients include Google, the NBA, MLB, PGA, NASCAR, Dove Beauty, Gatorade, Sprite, ESPN, Delta Air Lines, Home Depot, Regal Cinemas, Chick-Fil-A, and Yahoo! Sports. Oepen was formerly the executive producer and director for Red Bull's non-live/long format productions group, and headed Under Armour's Content House. She was also the creator behind Under Armour Originals. In addition to being a featured director on Free the Bid, Oepen has presented at conferences around the world speaking about creativity, content creation, and the evolution of digital media.
“Megan is emblematic of our commitment to attracting and retaining the best talent at Alkemy X,” says Wineburgh. “And with her experience on both the production and client side, she brings a keen sense of understanding and innovative strategy to each of her projects.”
“I’ve had the luxury of working with forward-thinking brands and companies throughout my career, and from my early conversations with Justin [Wineburgh] and [Alkemy X EVP of TV & digital content] Andy [Singer], I immediately saw a tremendous amount of potential in marrying our respective skill-sets to tell stories in new and innovative ways, especially in multi-episodic branded content,” concludes Oepen. “I’m excited to help them play in that universe.”