Posts Tagged ‘Creative Video Production’

Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing 2009

Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology / October 26th, 2009

- Megan McKenna

The Grace Hopper Celebration for Women in Computing is by far the most jaw dropping experience I get to have at work, and this year was no exception. With record breaking attendance levels of 1600 women – and a few men – from all over the world, we could feel the excitement just by walking through the halls (which was slow going with that many people!).

The GHC is a conference for women in computing of all stages in their career and education, to meet and network, learn, revitalize, and share stories. I went out to interview as many women as possible throughout the event on a variety of topics for the folks at the Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology to use in their video marketing efforts. I was honored to interview college students about why they came to the event, tenured teachers on the importance of retaining and attracting women in technical fields, CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies that support women in technology, and the research director from ABI on what their research means in working towards change.

I attended last year and in addition to asking questions of the attendees, Jerri Barret, VP of Marketing at ABI asked me to help get every person we speak to say the phrase “I am a Technical Woman!”. The goal was to create a video that would help the stereotype of women in technical fields.

We put the video together, and it was unveiled before the keynote on the 2nd day of the GHC 2009. I was floored at the response. There were cheers in the audience, and my crew and I were approached by many people wanting to be part of the video in the future. Moreover, the video quickly went viral, thanks to Jerri’s introduction of the video. She asked the attendees to “link to the video, Twitter it, post it on Facebook, and help it go viral”. They complied. Every hour more and more views were logged on YouTube. The excitement and enthusiasm surrounding this two-and-a-half minute video was amazing.

You can view the video, linked to the ABI YouTube site here, or go to the Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology website at www.anitaborg.org.

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Posted in Media Design

Total Media Group creates Marketing Video for TIS & Stryker Endoscopy

Stryker Endoscopy / September 29th, 2009

- Chris Carleson

Things really are bigger in Texas. Lot’s of land, large portions to eat, and big-hearted people.

Our production crew invaded the Texas Institute for Surgery for a HD cross-promotional video for three days this June. And, let me tell you, the legendary Texas hospitality was on full show.

You know it’s true when are able to use the Critical Care room to stage and store the gear, and everyone keeps checking on you to see if everything is OK, and if you need anything else.

We were literally given all-access key cards to the facility and free run of the building, which included the operating rooms, and full cooperation to interview the leading surgeons and staff, even the President of the hospital.

The result was a strong piece, which I understand is yielding great results for the surgery center and the production partner, Stryker Endoscopy.

Thank you Texas!

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Posted in Production & Events, What's New

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

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

REVEAL Registry Meeting acknowledges Study Coordinators

REVEAL Registry/Actelion Pharmaceuticals / June 29th, 2009

- Chris Carleson

The REVEAL Registry is a great thing. Underwritten by Actelion Pharmaceuticals, it is made up of physicians all over the country who enroll patients suffering from Pulmonary Hypertension, a little known but devastating medical condition. The patients’ care is tracked and the data consolidated and monitored via the registry in an effort to better understand the condition and the best treatment options. The study is completely objective.

A few times a year, we have the pleasure of producing the REVEAL registry meetings for Actelion Pharmaceuticals in the best venues and the coolest cities around the country.

This June in Seattle, we had a great meeting with the unsung heroes of the registry, the Study Coordinators. These are the nurses and assistants who do all the heavy lifting for the physicians in entering and tracking the patient data.

It was at this meeting that I ran into something I have never had happen in event production…. the hotel would not approve our outside security vendor without prior clearance to work in the hotel. Apparently, this compromised the hotels stringent security standards for their guests. This is something I’ve never encountered.

Needless to say, it indicated that we were working at a great property. The hotel was stellar throughout and the Study Coordinators had a first class event and some well-deserved recognition!

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Posted in Production & Events