Archive for July 10th, 2012

Ever sat through a bad first date? Butter Composer Andrew Sherman takes a humorous spin on the awkward first encounter in a spot promoting Dairy Queen’s value-friendly Sweet Apple Barbeque Grill Burger. As the uncomfortable couple squirms in their seats, bubbles pop onto the screen with a spiffed-up studio version of each character singing an ode to the delicious food and wishing that they shared more in common than a love of DQ.

Visit Butter
View Media

Credits
Client: Dairy Queen
Spot Title: DQemistry
Air Date: June 2012

Agency:Â Grey
Agency Music Producer:Â Zach Pollakoff
CD:Â Ari Halper & Stephen Krauss
Copywriter:Â Steven Fogel
Art Director:Â Doug Fallon

Director: Tom Kuntz
Editor: Andrea MacArthur

Butter Composer: Andrew Sherman
Butter Producer: Ian Jeffreys
About Butter
Butter is a creative sonic collective committed to maximizing the impact and effectiveness of music and sound design for moving pictures and environments. Working within a collaborative environment featuring four in-house composers, access to myriad others throughout the sound world, and a core creative team, the studio emphasizes a friendly, inviting atmosphere.

Clients include Smart Car, Kayak, Keystone beer, Clinique and Lysol, via high-profile agencies, including Merkley + Partners, Saatchi & Saatchi and Euro RSCG. Butter also scored a stirring film portraying the construction of the new buildings at the World Trade Center site in New York. The studio has had work shortlisted at Cannes.

More info: TRUST 646 452 3388 (NY) 310 451 5153 (LA) trustcollective.com

Nice Shoes recently shot and animated a film for The Partnership at Drugfree.org to help convey the organization’s message of the benefits of athletic mentorship and positivity. Through interviews with kids, teenagers, adults and professional NBA coaches Avery Johnson and Lionel Hollins, the importance of healthy competition among kids, teens and young adults was brought to life through first-person stories.

Nice Shoes handled the production, edit and post duties and filmed the kids at the Nice Shoes insert stage. The company then tapped into its post-production expertise to place those featured into a pencil-drawn, cell-animated world.

“Our goal in designing the graphic treatment was to create a visually interesting presentation – something that conveyed both the energy and the common but extraordinary experience of playing sports,” noted Nice Shoes Director/CD Brian Bowman.

The video was featured as a visual centerpiece of The Partnership at Drugfree.org’s inaugural “All-Star Tasting” event, a unique gathering of all-star athletes and celebrity chefs that took place at Astor Center in New York City on June 27, 2012.

“When you’re working with an organization that is advancing such a great cause, there is an extra bit of gratification,” stated Bowman. “The fact that we could handle every part of the process from concept to completion is a tremendous source of pride for everyone here at Nice Shoes.”

Visit Nice Shoes
View Media

Credits
Client: The Partnership at Drugfree.org

Production/Post Production: Nice Shoes
Director: Brian Levi Bowman
Art Director: Lucien Yang
Producer: Kristen Martini
Designer: Kit Lam
Animator: Andy Mai
Animator: Seehun Jeon
Editor: Brian Bowman

Sound Design and Mix: Sound Lounge
About Nice Shoes
NYC-based Nice Shoes is a full service, artist-driven design, animation, visual effects and color grading studio specializing in high-end commercials, web content, film, TV and music videos. Since its inception in 1996, the studio has prided itself on consistently reinvesting in its talent, technical backbone, and client experience to set the standard of excellence both creatively and technically. Key company principals include: CEO/Partner Dominic Pandolfino, Colorists/Partners Chris Ryan and Lez Rudge, VFX Artist/Partner Rich Schreck, MD Kristen Martini, CD Brian Bowman, CIO Robert Keske.

More info: TRUST 646 452 3388 (NY) 310 451 5153 (LA) trustcollective.com

Continuing the successful University of Farmers® campaign developed by advertising agency RPA, Farmers Insurance recently debuted two new TV spots featuring actor J.K. Simmons as the illustrious Professor Nathaniel Burke. Directed by über content’s Fred Savage (“Modern Family,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Party Down”), each spot continues to promote Farmers by playfully highlighting the expert training their agents receive at the actual University of Farmers in Agoura Hills, CA.

In “Roof,” Professor Nathaniel Burke and America’s smartest agents discuss discounts at a dizzying height. “Hailstone” features Professor Nathaniel Burke and agents showing why local weather patterns should be considered when choosing auto coverage.

Visit RPA
View Media

Credits
Client: Farmers Insurance
Spot Titles: “Roof”, “Hailstone”
Air Date: July 2012

Agency: RPA
ECD: Joe Baratelli
GCD: Pat Mendelson
CD: Tom Hamling
CD: Laura Hauseman
ACD/CW: Damian Fratecelli (“Hailstone” only)
Senior AD: Katie Carlile (“Hailstone” only)
EVP, Agency Executive Producer: Gary Paticoff
Agency Senior Producer: Selena Pizarro
Agency Assistant Producer: Whitney Young

Production Co: über content
Director: Fred Savage
DP: Chris Soos
Executive Producers (“Roof”): Preston Lee, Phyllis Koenig, Steve Wi
Executive Producer (“Hailstone”): Preston Lee
Line Producer: Cory Berg
Production Designer: Andy Reznik

Editorial Company: Spot Welders
Editor: Haines Hall
Assistant Editor: Paul Sabater
Post Producer: Patrick McElroy

Telecine: Company 3, Santa Monica, CA
Artist: Stefan Sonnenfeld
EP: Rhubie Jovanov

Visual Effects Company: Public VFX
Lead Flame Artist: James Allen
VFX CD: Tony Smoller
VFX Producer: Marlo Kinsey, Kim Nagel

Title Design: Laundry! TV

Audio Post Company: Lime Studios
Audio Post Mixer: Loren Sibler

Music Company: Elias Arts, LA
Composer/Arranger: Jonathan Elias
Executive Producer: Ann Haugen
Creative Director: Dave Gold
About RPA
RPA, headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., is a leading independent advertising agency. RPA builds momentum for brands by offering its clients truly integrated campaigns that resonate throughout its disciplines, which include traditional advertising, interactive, and direct and event marketing. RPA’s client list includes American Honda, both the Honda and Acura brands, ampm, ARCO, Castrol, California Department of Public Health, Intuit Small Business, La-Z-Boy, Farmers Insurance Group and Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. For more information, visit http://www.rpa.com.

More info: TRUST 646 452 3388 (NY) 310 451 5153 (LA) trustcollective.com

DUCK, long known for its robust and versatile directorial roster, brought together 10 of its best artists for a monster 12-spot campaign for the United States Olympic Committee via Y&R. In a continuation of the “Team Behind the Team” campaign, each of the animated spots tells the story of one US Olympic athlete and the special relationships that helped him or her rise to the pinnacle of his or her sport, and features a unique aesthetic and animated style.

“Y&R came to DUCK because they knew we were one of the few studios out there that could fulfill their request to make 12 thematically similar spots that each had a very different look and feel,” noted DUCK EP Mark Medernach. “This is a massively important project that really shows off the incredible depth of talent that we’ve amassed at DUCK. The variety and quality of the work is breathtaking.”

Visit DUCK
View Media

Credits
Client: United States Olympic Committee
Campaign Title: The Team Behind The Team
Air Date: June 2012

Agency: Y&R
Chief Creative Officer: Jim Elliot
Global CDs: Andrew McKechinie, Marc Sobier
Creative Director: Cliff Skeete
Art Director: Jon Leachman
Copywriter: Andrew McMurchie
Executive Director of Content Production: Nathy Aviram
Executive Producer of Music: Jessica Dierauer
Senior Content Producer: Robert Beck
Producer: Jona Goodman

Live Action Production Company: B House Films
Live Action Director: Adam Ballachey

Animation Company: DUCK Studios
Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
Editor(s): Amanda Pettibone, Katie York

Music: Elias Arts
Executive Producer: Kala Sherman
Creative Director: Greg Griffith
Producer: Jeff Fiorello

Audio: Heard City
Executive Producer: Gloria Pitagorsky
Mixer: Jodie Levine

Bershawn Jackson (featured)
Production Co: DUCK Studios
Director: Roger Chouinard
DUCK Studios Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
DUCK Studios Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
DUCK Studios Editor: Amanda Pettibone

John Orozco (featured)
Production Co: DUCK Studios
SMOG Director: Moisés Arancibia
SMOG Producer: Ricardo González
SMOG Animation: Patricio Molina, Felipe Vargas
SMOG Designs: Moisés Arancibia, Raúl Burgos
DUCK Studios Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
DUCK Studios Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
DUCK Studios Editor(s): Amanda Pettibone, Katie York

Christie Rampone (featured)
Production Co: DUCK Studios
Director: Sharon Colman Graham
DUCK Studios Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
DUCK Studios Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
DUCK Studios Editor(s): Amanda Pettibone, Katie York

Elena Pirozhkova (featured)
Production Co: DUCK Studios
Director: Daniel Peacock
DUCK Studios Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
DUCK Studios Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
DUCK Studios Editor: Amanda Pettibone
Compositing: David Cole

Lex Gillette (featured)
Production Co: DUCK Studios
Director: Sharon Colman Graham
DUCK Studios Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
DUCK Studios Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
DUCK Studios Editor: Amanda Pettibone

Missy Franklin (featured)
Production Co: DUCK Studios
Director/Designer: Peter Rida Michail
Producer: Peggy Regan
Editor/Compositor: Michael D’Ambrosio
Animator: Jason Bierut
DUCK Studios Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
DUCK Studios Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
DUCK Studios Editor(s): Amanda Pettibone, Katie York

Brady Ellison (featured)
Production Co: DUCK Studios
SMOG Director(s): Luis Suarez, Moisés Arancibia
SMOG Producer: Ricardo González
SMOG Animation: Luis Suarez
SMOG Designs: Adriana Campos
DUCK Studios Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
DUCK Studios Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
DUCK Studios Editor(s): Amanda Pettibone, Katie York

Evelyn Stevens (featured)
Production Co: DUCK Studios
Delicatessen Production Design: Cristiana Valentini
Delicatessen Editing: Gabriele Fantuzzi
Delicatessen Compositing: Lucia Catellani
Delicatessen Animation: Luciano Acampora
DUCK Studios Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
DUCK Studios Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
DUCK Studios Editor(s): Amanda Pettibone, Katie York

Lolo Jones (featured)
Production Co: DUCK Studios
Director: Jeong-A Seong
DUCK Studios Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
DUCK Studios Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
DUCK Studios Editor(s): Amanda Pettibone, Katie York

Corben Sharrah (featured)
Production Co: DUCK Studios
Direction/Production by Mainframe
Animation: Joe Pelling
DUCK Studios Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
DUCK Studios Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
DUCK Studios Editor(s): Amanda Pettibone, Katie York

Henry Cejudo
Production Co: DUCK Studios
Director: Hsinping Pan
DUCK Studios Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
DUCK Studios Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
DUCK Studios Editor(s): Amanda Pettibone, Katie York

Queen Underwood
Production Co: DUCK Studios
Director: Chris Harding
DUCK Studios Executive Producer: Mark Medernach
DUCK Studios Production Coordinator: Sophia Richard
DUCK Studios Editor: Amanda Pettibone
About DUCK
Los Angeles-based DUCK is a continually evolving creative studio producing commercials, music videos, short films and web content. DUCK offers a wide range of services, including live action and integration, character design, film title design, 2D and 3D animation, digital compositing, digital/traditional ink & paint. In recent years, the studio has expanded, adding an original content division that works with writers and animators on unique ideas for film and TV.

More info: TRUST 646 452 3388 (NY) 310 451 5153 (LA) trustcollective.com

New Beijing Section Exemplifies International Growth

BEIJING: AES Regions & Sections Chair, Peter Cook, has concluded a series of meetings in Beijing, which have resulted in the formation of the first Audio Engineering Society Section in mainland China.

Early this year, Shusen Wang, a long-time AES member, VP of a Beijing broadcasting company, and a leading professional audio consultant there, contacted Mr. Cook to explore the possibility of establishing a Beijing Section. In late May, Cook made two AES presentations to members of the China Audio and Video Association (CAVA). Following those meetings a group of over 25 Chinese AES members from Beijing and other cities, discussed a Beijing Section with Cook. Mr. Wang was unanimously invited to Chair the Section.

“The seriousness and passion demonstrated by the AES members I met with in Beijing was deeply impressive,” Peter Cook reveals. “They are fully committed to all the fundamental elements that make the AES an invaluable forum for professional audio. They enthusiastically recommended highly qualified local vice-chairs to be responsible for: Education, Research, Broadcast Applications and other areas of universal AES concern.” Cook adds, “I was genuinely taken aback when they conveyed the huge size of China’s professional audio community. This initial Beijing Section may mark the beginning of a substantial AES expansion in China. Their concerns for the importance of an AES affiliation were humbling.”

Shusen Wang applauds Cook’s recommendations, and has already begun to map out a program to incorporate them. “We will work closely with the AES parent organization to introduce Chinese experts to relevant Technical Committees; to invite them to submit research papers; to introduce Chinese stake-holders to Standards Committee chairs; and, do everything possible to ensure the success of first-time Chinese exhibitors at AES Conventions,” Mr. Wang said.

“The AES has many individual members in China. We believe our new Beijing Section will sustain a long and mutually beneficial on-going relationship with China’s professional audio community,” concludes AES executive director Bob Moses. “This move exemplifies our plan to expand the AES mission and support our ongoing effectiveness throughout Asia and The Far East.”

Pictured at a meeting of the China Audio & Video Association, bottom row center Peter Cook with Shusen Wang to his right.

###

The Audio Engineering Society was formed in 1948 by a group of concerned audio engineers. The AES counts over 14,000 members throughout the U.S., Latin America, Europe, Japan and the Far East. The organization serves as the pivotal force in the exchange and dissemination of technical information for the industry. For additional information visit http://www.aes.org

NANJING, China — To meet its high standards of television production, Jiangsu TV recently invested in a brand new 8-channel and 4-channel HD EFP audio system. To work in conjunction with this purchase, the station also invested in HARMAN Soundcraft Vi6 and Vi1 digital consoles to mix the in-house shows on the 8-channel and 4-channel systems, respectively.

The 8-channel audio system is configured through the Vi6 through two Soundcraft stageboxes and fiber wiring. The main functionality for this setup is for the popular “If You Are The One” dating show, which boasts the highest ratings of any variety show in the country.

“With our new Soundcraft consoles, our operations are more convenient and more flexible, helping us to achieve higher-quality programming and, we hope, even higher ratings,” stated Senior Sound Engineer Jingsong Shen, who also appreciated that the interface of Vi6 can be easily separated into different zones with different colors for different functions.

Advanced Communication Equipment, the largest HARMAN distributor in China, provided the Soundcraft consoles. Two years ago, Jiangsu TV Station purchased a Studer Vista 8 and a Soundcraft Vi6 from ACE. The leadership among the station was very pleased over the past two years with the performance of the Vista 8 and Vi6, so there was zero hesitation with the latest purchase, reinforcing Jiangsu TV’s confidence in Soundcraft and its reliability and quality.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.3 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012.

STATION PROVIDES PBS TO THE GREATER LOS ANGELES MARKET

Northampton, MA – Myers Information Systems – a long-standing developer of broadcast traffic, business, and content management software – today announced the successful commissioning of a milestone 50th Media Asset Management (MAM) module for the Company’s flagship ProTrack TV at Southern California’s KOCE-TV. The station – branded as “PBS SoCaL” – offers a full schedule of PBS and local interest programming to viewers in the Greater Los Angeles area.

“Myers was an easy choice: it saves us money and maintenance time, plus it integrates well within our highly automated master control infrastructure,” said director of engineering & technology Gordon Smith. “ProTrack MAM is easy-to-expand and uses standard, rather than proprietary archive file structures; it’s an integral part of Myers’ traffic environment and it ‘plays well’ with our Avid Automation, plus it costs us just a third of the previous system’s license and support fees.”

“We’re extremely pleased at how rapidly our MAM solution’s been adopted, as evidenced by this 50th installation,” said Crist Myers, company CEO and president. “Adding MAM to their existing ProTrack configuration helped KOCE tackle the challenges of becoming Los Angeles’s primary PBS station last year; it lets them repurpose content and automate file-based transfers between archive and playout servers based on the actual ProTrack schedule.” The solution provides real-time insight to scheduling, noting whether content is in-house, within rights to be aired, and compliant with predefined business rules; it helps clear the on-air server with purge orders after confirming a copy is securely in archive. “And ProTrack MAM works equally well with existing middleware solutions or as a standalone within a spinning disk environment,” added Myers.

Myers’ highly regarded flagship suite, ProTrack, is available in both radio and television editions. It offers comprehensive scheduling and business management for individual, multichannel and multi-station facilities. Actively used by more than 226 media outlets, supporting more than 1,300 channels, ProTrack provides a high-level of structure and scalability, without sacrificing flexibility, for today’s rapidly evolving media environments.

ABOUT MYERS INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Myers Information Systems, Inc. has been developing broadcast management software since 1989. The Company provides technology and services for television, radio and other digital media providers designed to improve every aspect of their operations, from contracting to invoicing, media management to scheduling, and from trafficking to reconciliation. For more information, please visit: www.myersinfosys.com

ABOUT KOCE-TV
Founded in 1973, KOCE has been Orange County’s public television station for more than 37 years, delivering the best of PBS programming and providing award-winning coverage of local issues and events. In January 2011, KOCE-TV became the full-service PBS station for greater Los Angeles, operating under the name PBS SoCaL with an expanded schedule, viewing area and services to the entire region. Broadcasting from atop Mt. Wilson, the station’s signal is tuned-in by more than five million viewers each month in LA, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties. For further information, please visit: www.PBSSoCaL.org
###

Myers Information Systems contact: Crist Myers
+1-413-585-9820 / sales@myersinfosys.com

Press contact: Desert Moon Communications / Harriet Diener
+1-845-512-8283 / harriet@desertmooncomm.com

VIENNA, Austria – Broadcast to more than 500 million viewers in 66 countries, The Indian Premier League launched its 2012 Twenty20 cricket tournament with an opening ceremony full of international acts at the YMCA College of Physical Education Grounds in Nandanam, Chenni, India. Backing two of the multiple groups performing at the event, which was headlined by Katy Perry, Ravi ‘Drums’ Jakhotia played with First Project and Colonial Cousins, from Africa and India respectively, relying on the HARMAN AKG IVM4500 In Ear Monitoring system to ensure his high-quality sound.

Hired by Wizcraft International Entertainment after successful Indian-based gigs in the past, Jakhotia was eager to return to the country for such a large and important event in the sporting world. During his first performance, Jakhotia accompanied the famed drum band First Project, the opening act for the ceremonies. Later on that night, Ravi Drums played with MTV and Billboard-Award-winning Colonial Cousins from India. During this performance, Jakhotia was given a 3-minute drum solo.

“The IVM4500 worked out very well during my performances, especially at such a large and loud ceremony. Its distance was perfect and sounded amazing during the show,” Jakhotia stated. “The lows were great, the mids were clear and the highs didn’t blast out my ears. AKG’s IVM4500′s are the luxury cars for monitors, with their great balance, EQ and effects all built in.”

Ravi Drums admits to having been a little overwhelmed by the IVM4500′s at first, with their intricate settings and improved features. “Usually in-ears are just plug, play and go, but for AKG’s quality to truly shine, I had to make the proper adjustments. After a few minutes with setup, the 4500′s sound was flawless and the reliability shined through.”

For more information about AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG(r), Harman Kardon(r), Infinity(r), JBL(r), Lexicon(r) and Mark Levinson(r). The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.3 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012.

Studio’s Visual Effects Artists, Stereographers, Colorists and Sound Mixers Came Together to Apply the Finishing Touches to the Summer Tentpole

Culver City, Calif.—Teams from across Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) came together in a close-knit collaboration for the production of Columbia Pictures’ superhero blockbuster The Amazing Spider-Man, currently in worldwide release in 2D and 3D. Sony Pictures Imageworks (SPI) created many of the film’s stunning visual effects sequences, the Sony 3D Technology Center consulted on the film’s stereography, Sony Pictures Post Production provided sound services, and Colorworks, SPE’s digital intermediate facility, performed final color grading and editorial finishing.

more

Sacramento, CA Jampro Antennas, Inc. — a world leader in the manufacture and design of radio frequency components and antennas for radio and television transmission — today announced the successful installation and commissioning of FM radio antennas covering 350 separate broadcast frequencies for Radiorama, one of the oldest and most established radio networks in México. The group has stations throughout the country offering entertainment, news and 100% Mexican music.

The turnkey system consisted of Jampro models JCPB (Broadband), JSWB (Super Wideband, high power) and JMPC (medium power) side-mounted FM antennas, rigid transmission line, patch panels, and Starpoint combiners. On-site commissioning was performed by company technicians. Of the systems provided only 32 single frequency antennas were supplied. All others were either 2 or 3 frequency sidemounted systems, with at frequency separation of as much as 18 MHz.

“We were gratified and proud that Radiorama, a long time customer of over 20 years, selected us for this significant project,” said Alex Perchevitch, president of Jampro. “Radio is a key source of information and entertainment throughout México, and we are proud to enhance Radiorama’s coverage and FM signal strength by upgrading the quality and reach of Radiorama’s broadcasts.”

About Jampro
Jampro Antennas Inc., established to answer the need for quality broadcast systems at a reasonable price, is a leading supplier of antennas, combiners & filters and RF components for every application in the broadcast industry. Reputed for innovation and customization, Jampro builds each system to the specifications of the individual broadcaster. From the first system delivered in 1954 to those installed today, the Company is committed to consistent performance and quality founded on solid engineering. Today, over 15,000 broadcasters worldwide benefit from the quality and performance provided by Jampro systems. For additional JAMPRO information, please visit: www.jampro.com.

###
Jampro contact: Sonia Del Castillo
916-383-1177 • Sonia@jampro.com

Press Contact: Desert Moon Communications
Harriet Diener • 845-512-8283
harriet@desertmooncomm.com