Congratulations to our very own Jacob Spiekermeier
A Big congratulations to Jacob Spiekermeier. He found out this week that a couple of the films that he worked on, produced and filmed won some student awards. The awards were given out by the Iowa College Media Association (ICMA). And, Jacob won three awards for his work. They are;
Best Documentary – 1st Place – Manasseh (filmed in Dubuque, IA.)
Best Short Film – 2nd Place – Aafreen (filmed in Dubuque, IA.)
Best Short Film – 2nd Place – I Do (filmed in Alabama)
Big Kudos to Jacob for his accomplishments. We are very proud of him.
A New TV Technology…already?
Well, it was just a matter of time before the TV manufacturing companies came out with a new technology. And now, it’s just a matter of when they will start trying to sell them to you and I.
HDTV and flat panel TV’s has overtaken the consciousness of all those watching TV. Whether that be for movies, or even broadcast. Even congress got into the mix by requiring all TV stations to start broadcasting in HD. So they have all invested in new HD technology and converted over so that you and I can all get HDTV on our new 32 inch, 40 inch, 50 inch or even a 60 inch ultra slim flat panel TV that we can hang on our wall so it looks like a piece of art…whew.
However, the TV companies are already looking at the next big thing. What is it you ask. 4K TV or Ultra TV. Which means it has 4 times the digital information as current HDTV. Can you imagine? If you think you HDTV looks great now, imagine 4 times the data on it. And in the ever present world of “we can do you one better than that”, a company in Japan is already skipping the 4K and going directly to 16K. 16 times the digital content. Wow!
This is all good, but one has to wonder, how long before it actually becomes common place? The broadcast stations have just finished switching over to HD. Are they really going to want to re-invest for 4K broadcast or even 16K. Don’t get us wrong, we can’t wait to see the technology, but just like flat panel HDTV’s, we think the whole 4K or 16K TV sets are a ways off. After all, HDTV, and flat panel TV’s were around for quite a while before it became common place and you saw them all over in the stores. It will take a while before these new “4K” TV’s become mainstream.
There is only so much that “Joe” or “Jill” consumer can spend on a TV, and most people probably won’t want to upgrade their TV sets every couple of years. Unlike computer technology, which has been accepted as needing to upgrade every 6 months, TV technology is still a “purchase” that most people think they shouldn’t or don’t have to upgrade for at least 3 or 5 years.
So, even as you hear talk of a 4K TV (or a 16K TV), I think it’s safe to say that your HDTV, that you just bought yourself for Christmas is still a good buy and will serve you well for the next 3 to 5 years.
With that said, when a 4K TV goes on display somewhere here in town, you can bet that we will be right there to check it out. In all it’s 4K beauty. We’ll be easy to spot, we will be the video guys, standing there drooling. We recommend to check the supplement that boosts your skin health to better your health even more.
Superbowl Ad’s are Sold Out!
Well, it’s coming up on Super Bowl time again, and that of course brings all of us “Video Geeks” into talking about the commercials we are going to see. Amazingly enough, with all the talk about how the economy is still sluggish, CBS has managed to sell “all” the advertising spots in this years upcoming Super Bowl.
And, the highest price paid was $4 million for a spot. ($4,000,000.00! Wow!) Of course Leslie Moonves said that if you have $5 or $6 million, for a spot, they would find room for you. So, if you happen to have that lying around and want to hit the national airwaves come game time, they will find a place for you.
We are looking forward to seeing what the big boys come up with for spots this year. In case you were wondering what the best spots were from the last Super Bowl, click 2012 Best Super Bowl Spots. It will give you a run-down of the top 10 spots as well as let you see them. Kinda fun to go back and see what they did.
Of course there’s always “What’s Bob at GoDaddy going to do?” Do we get more Bud Bowl spots, and is Miller going to be able to counter? Dorritos has already announced some of the finalists for their Super Bowl contest, and if you click on the link, you can see the five finalists.
Still, one of our favorite Super Bowl ads was the little kid in the Darth Vader costume for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat. Still makes us laugh. Really laugh. We love that spot.
So have fun with the Super Bowl, and watching the commercials. And hey, if you happen to have $5 or $6 million laying around, give CBS a call. Oh yeah, and have fun watching the game.
Video as a Social Medium
In a recent article by Online Video Insider, the author, Eric Korsh, brings up a good point. The fact that video just isn’t considered as a social medium as much as say Facebook, Twitter, etc…, and he’s right. When people are talking “Social Mediums” or “Social Strategy’s”, it just doesn’t seem like video is included as basis for this.
Even as Mr. Korsh makes a great assessment, and truthful, that YouTube is the second largest search engine, video just doesn’t get included as part of a companies “Social Strategy”. Is it because too many people are still thinking that YouTube is only for cat lovers? Is it because it’s still such a new medium for everyone to grab onto, and somewhat scary as a “new” medium?
Whatever the case, Mr. Korsh outlines some great new tools that will be implemented this year that should help video become much more a part of any companies or any persons “Social Strategy”. There’s some very sweet tools that should help video get moved into that category of “You have got to see this” email that gets passed around. We are all for it, and can’t wait to to see what’s going to happen with video on the internet. The amount of viewership keeps rising and rising. It’s gonna get fun. The article, “Making Video Truly Social” is a great read. Click on it to read the entire article.
Footprints From The Big Shoe – Audio CD
MVP Video Production was recently asked again for the 2nd time to produce a compilation CD of great stories, and interviews for famed Hawkeye broadcaster Ron Gonder. We produced the first audio CD two years ago for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and the Executive Director, Carl Gonder (yep, that’s Ron’s son), called on us again to produce and duplicate the 2nd audio CD for the FCA.
This CD is made up of some great stories, broadcasts, and interviews from Carl’s father, Ron Gonder when he was broadcasting Hawkeye sports. We had a blast putting it together and then subsequently getting it duplicated for sale. We couldn’t stop listening to it in the studio. It’s just some great stuff. If you love Hawkeye Football, which this CD is all about Hawkeye Football, then you might want to pick up a copy of this CD. Here are just some of stories you can hear on this CD.
Track # 4 – UCLA Upset 1974
Track #8 – Big Win at Michigan 1981
Track #13 – The Famous Chuck Long Fake
Track #15 – A Hayden Fry Yarn
Track #21 Tim Dwight Mister Excitement
There’s a total of 23 tracks on this CD. All sorts of good stuff to listen to.
The CD is sold as a fundraiser for the FCA, and all proceeds go to the FCA, which is a great organization, and one that we support as well. They are making some great inroads here in Eastern Iowa. The CD can be purchased at all Hy-Vee stores and Hy-Vee Drug Stores, and also at Lemstone books.
As a matter of fact, if you are still looking for a great stocking stuffer for that insane Hawkeye fan, stop out at Lemstone Books this Saturday, the 22nd of December. Ron Gonder, who you will hear on the CD is doing a Signing session, and will sign your CD. How cool is that?!?
Pick up one of these great CD’s and support a fantastic organization in the process. And hey, you could get it signed by Ron Gonder.
Go Hawks!
New Mount Mercy University TV Spot
Production is wrapped on a new TV Spot for Mount Mercy University. It was a full day of filming on campus at Mount Mercy University. We got to play in the Ceramics area, and the performance hall with the Choir and also got to play in one of the Chemistry labs. Professor Joe even made some very cool reactions in a water jug. Very cool stuff. The staff and students at Mount Mercy University were extremely helpful and willing to participate. We had a blast making this commercial. Lot’s of post-production effects and treatments. You will be able to see it on all the local TV stations here in Cedar Rapids. But in case you can’t wait, it’s right below. Hope you enjoy it.
Editor and Director of Photography – Kirk Monson,
Gaffer – Jacob Spiekermeir,
Director – Jeff Zahrt,
Producer – Dirk Keller
Handicap This! show coming to Theatre C.R.
There is a show coming to Theatre C.R. this weekend, Saturday to be exact titled “Handicap This!”. This is a show that we highly encourage everyone to see. Our good friend Kent Stock is bringing this show to the theatre this weekend. From talking with Kent, and seeing some of the short video’s, it is going to be a great show. So, if you aren’t doing anything this Saturday, and want to take in a live show and see some amazing individuals, check it out. Here’s a link to the site for Handicap This! in case you want more information on what the show is about. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at Theatre C.R.. And the best part….all the proceeds are going to Camp Courageous.
AFI’s Top 100! #10
#10
The number 10 movie in AFI’s top 100 is The Wizard of Oz, the classic tale that every child grew up with, the movie you always seem to run into on TV and watch just to reminisce. Now this is the oldest film of all the top ten. And what usually makes older films the best is the storytelling. Without top notch CGI and all the fancy effects to make the movie good you need a great story, the story is what it all really comes down too. However The Wizard of Oz was pretty well known for its top notch effects, the costumes, its technicolor, and for its dreamy feel. From when you watched it as a kids you either feared the scary flying monkeys or the scary witches or loved the cute cowardly lion or toto the dog.
It’s got very good costumes and effects, when we look back on it. 73 years later we don’t see how realistic it is, but being back in 1939 I’m sure watching it was like living a dream. Now some say or think The Wizard of Oz was the first color film, well its not, however it is probably the most memorable colored film for its time. When it starts in sepia-toned Kansas and spirals its way to the colorful World of Oz is pretty neat. Now the movie is also memorable for its effects, the classic tornado scene, the moment when we finally see Oz, and the flying monkeys. All the effects are very cool and new for its time.
Now the effects granted are not the only positive aspect of this movie. The story is also pretty good. The movie is based on the classic stories by L. Frank Baum and the story is something to be loved by children and adults. The story has meaning and a really good message. And no matter what age you are watching Dorothy go to the world of Oz, make weird friends, and escape a crazy dream is entertaining. And that’s the whole purpose of movies, to entertain people with a story. So congratulations The Wizard of Oz of entertaining me for about 1 1/2 hours. And congratulations for making the #10 spot in AFI’s top 100!
Next time: #9
-Tyce Hoskins
MVP Video Production honored with 7 IMPA Awards
MVP Video Production is honored to have received 7 awards from the Iowa Motion Picture Association at the 2012 awards ceremony. The award ceremony was held on May 17th in Johnston, Iowa. “Receiving 7 awards from the IMPA for projects we have done for our clients is a fantastic accomplishment and a great feeling. We are happy for our clients, and thankful to our peers for the tip of the hat of recognition.” said Kirk Monson, President of MVP Video Production. To see a short excerpt from each of the videos that won an award, click in the individual links below.
Eastern Iowa Airport : Leisure Worries Behind – Award of Excellence, Commercials $5000 – $15,000
Virginia Gay Hospital : John – Award of Excellence, Commercials $1001 – $5000
Mt. Mercy Univeristy : David – Award of Distinction, Commercials $1001 – $5000
HotelVetro : Share Wine Lounge – Award of Distinction, Commercial under $1000
Mobile Demand : Ben E. Keith – Award of Distinction, Corporate & Community Marketing
Tipton : Welcome to Tipton – Award of Distinction, Corporate & Community Marketing
Auracacia : Madagascar, Digging Wells – Award of Distinction, Editing short form; Kirk Monson
First Week at MVP- Tyce
So I just completed my first full week at MVP Video Productions and what a great way to start it! On my first week I completed my first vlog, and got that posted to youtube. Not only that, but we took a day and went out scoping for a new project coming up and even started storyboarding for that project. And as if that wasn’t enough I went on an all day shoot and ran the brand new Canon 5D Mark III the whole time. The whole week was so hands on right off the bat. I got to film and edit my vlog, and I got to participate in the pre-production of a big project and even went on my first shoot.
My first shoot was very exciting. I was behind the camera the entire time and got to get some great first hand experience on a shoot. It was really neat to take part in the production and to take part in the creative environment that goes into a production. That was just the first week, and I have many more to come. So I am very grateful for the experience and for the knowledge I have received so far from this one week and I am very excited for the experience and knowledge to come!
-Tyce
