Archive for July, 2009

Biocodex employees’ “spirit” makes job a lot more fun

Biocodex / July 29th, 2009

- Chris Carleson

We were a little nervous when we arrived at the Paris Resort and Hotel in Las Vegas this July to produce the Biocodex Mid-Year National Sales Meeting.

Everything was buttoned down with the package and the union…it wasn’t that.

It was because our client really wanted to have fun and push it with the Candids Video. It was the first time they were going to produce a Candids Video with all of Total Media Group’s signature sketches and fun, and I wasn’t sure how far we could push it with the hotel, considering everything we planned to do.

Sure enough, shooting is under way in my guest room with the Director of Sales performing a great bit, and I get called away to check the set in the ballroom. As I’m in the ballroom talking with my group I start getting texts and voicemails from the video team upstairs.

I run up there to see the head of security, several guards, and the assistant hotel manager all in my room. Apparently, the shooting got so “spirited” that guests complained about a domestic disturbance…

Well, after we calmed all the hotel folks down, they were really quite friendly, particularly Officer Bob. They let us off with a warning and politely let us know if they received any other calls anywhere in the hotel, we would be asked to relocate…

Luckily everything went smooth from there.

The show went on to be a big hit, the videos all the better with such enthusiasm and “spirit.”

I’ll tell you, having a client so passionate about what they are doing makes the results so much better and the job so much fun.

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Posted in Production & Events

Documentary well received by Stony Brook Film Festival

Total Media Group / July 27th, 2009

-Aldo Panattoni

Life is a Banquet:  The Rosalind Russell Story had it’s world premier on Sunday, July 26 at the Stony Brook Film Festival.  The house was packed and anticipaton was high as the lights dimmed. The film looked and sounded amazing on the Staller Center’s huge screen. The audience laughed and cried at all the right times and erupted into thunderous applause as the credits rolled.

In attendance beside myself were writer and director Jonathon Gruber and Rosalee Russell Renfrow, Rosalind’s niece who was also interviewed in the film.  Rosalee viewed  the film for the very first time and she was quite moved by it.

After the film the 3 of us took questions from the audience.  Jonathon was asked about his decision to have Russell herself narrate the film, as portrayed by Academy Award winner Kathleen Turner.  Jonathon replied that he dislikes the traditional narration usually used in documentaries, so he decided he would have Russell tell her story in her own words.

After nearly 3 years in production, it was very gratifying to finally screen the film before a live audience.  By their experience their response, I think we have a winner! Look for it on PBS in the fall!

http://www.rosalindrussell.com/

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Posted in Media Design, What's New

Total Media Group partners with Actuate to host live Talk Show Event

Actuate Corporation / July 9th, 2009

- Chris Carleson

We really felt like we were producing live television when Total Media Group was asked to create a Talk Show themed kick-off meeting in July for Actuate Corporation. Actuate is a leader in open source rich information enterprise applications, and we were excited to take on this new project!

With only 5 business days to finalize the content and production schedule before we went live, our paper walk-through and rehearsal was just 1 day before load-in. We also produced 4 videos for them 2-3 weeks before the show, and all the live elements came together in the final dash for the finish line.

Sometimes less preparation is better. It gives you less time to tinker and less time for the client-talent to think about what they are really taking on. Of course, a big help was that the CEO-host of the event turned out to be a natural raconteur, quick on his feet, and genuinely funny.

Did I mention that the house band was led by one of Actuate’s Senior Directors? He was the real deal and came prepared. The band on stage put the show over the top and it was great.

And just like T.V., everybody rolled with the punches, and when the doors opened, we just plain rolled. We have to hand it to the client for coming up with the idea and for listening to what we advised.  Reports from the audience were that it was the most memorable and entertaining event they’ve had in their 12-year history, which makes us proud that we could be a part of such a wonderful evening.

It’s fun to make business stars into stage stars!

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Posted in Production & Events

Candids for 20 X 40 foot video wall

Cisco Systems / July 2nd, 2009

Patrick Roche

I just returned from Cisco Live 2009, Cisco’s premiere user conference at Moscone Center in San Francisco.

For the last four days, we had 2 camera crews shooting HD footage and covering all aspects of the event, including a concert by Devo and The B-52s.

We delivered daily montages that were displayed on a 20 x 40 foot video wall as well as shoot and edit a candids module that opened today’s General Session.

For post, we had 2 complete Final Cut Pro HD systems.

This year we were shooting tapeless, which was great but did pose it’s own set of challenges. We had to come up with a system to track and log the large amounts of footage that the crews were bringing us.

We had some really long days and I got very little sleep last night but at the end of the day, we had a very happy client, which made it all worth wile.

Now, it’s time for me to take a nap!

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Posted in Production & Events