And in this corner

>> Heavyweight's media uppercut

by SCOTT C

Graphics anyone? As time marches on, everything seems to overlap more and more. Concepts and ideas sidecar business and pleasure alike, and the originals at Heavyweight Productions couldn't be happier.

Launched only in May of last year, this collective of artists, business hounds and computer geeks has grown in leaps and bounds to become an all encompassing production house.

"We're pretty versatile," says founder Tyler Gibney with a smile. "We can handle anything from corporate Web design to flyers for your sister's loft party--and everything in between."

He's not kidding either. While a lot of people scratch their heads and wonder why they keep hearing the name Heavyweight around town, hundreds of others are taking advantage of a very talented pool of resources. To date these guys have done work for clubs like Jello, Tokyo, Jai Bar and the entire visual portrayal of Stereo.

And it doesn't end there. In working with all of these venues, it was very easy to start promoting parties and having some great jams. "We have a lot of DJs who are always happy to spin at our parties, from Alain Vinet to Kid Koala, and it's always a good time."

All parties aside, last year Heavyweight produced a music video for local reggae band Jah Cuttah, designed the album cover for Shades of Culture's Mindstate, painted murals for CFCF-12, and did storyboarding and screen graphics for a Fox Family Network production. "We don't really have any competition," explains Gibney. "I mean there are all kinds of independents doing graphics, but nobody else is doing an all-inclusive operation that houses so many different aspects."

These guys are still branching out, too. On February 4, they'll be taking over the gallery at the Saydie Bronfman for a special showing of works, while a project slated for the spring called Paper Tiger will feature urban art and design from Heavyweight and beyond. On the party front, check out Classic Tuesdays at Jai, brought to you by Heavyweight and featuring the talents of Uzi and Alain Vinet. "I always get people saying, 'You guys are everywhere!' and it's nice to see people getting comfortable with our name. We're definitely on some lo-fi/hi-tech."