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
MVP Video Production wins Three Industry Awards
MVP Video Production recently received three industry awards for videos created on behalf of Iowa clients. MVP Video Production earned recognition for three videos in the 2012 Communicator Awards competition. “It’s great to have our 
work recognized by our peers, and a fantastic nod to our clients about the work we do for them.” said Kirk Monson, President of MVP Video Production. The videos that received the honors and awards are:
Mobile Demand – A study at Ben E. Keith – Here Comes the King – Excellence Winner
Mt. Mercy University – David – Distinction Winner
Tipton – Welcome to Tipton – Distinction Winner
The Communicator Awards are judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA), a 550 + member organization of leading professionals from various disciplines of the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and the evolving nature of traditional and interactive media. The competition received over 6000 entries this ear. The Communicator awards is the leading international awards program honoring creative excellence for communication professionals.
“We would like to thank our clients for giving us the opportunity to produce some really fun and creative video projects for them. They are a pleasure to work with.” Stated Jeff Zahrt
MVP wins 3 Silver ADDY’s!
MVP Video Production, and our very own Kirk Monson were awarded three (3) Silver ADDY’s this past weekend at the annual ADDY award ceremony. It was a great night and the CSPS hall looked fantastic.
Kirk was awarded three Silver ADDY’s for elements of advertising. They were:
– Cinematography – Virginia Gay Hospital : Matt
– Cinematography – Eastern Iowa Airport : Take Me Away
– Special Effects – Eastern Iowa Airport : Take Me Away
Congratulations to our very own Kirk Monson for his great work on these spots. Well deserved praise.
GoPro HD Camera Vs. Fire Truck!
The pieces that we initially found
Who says that GoPro camera’s are indestructable? We have proof that they aren’t. Especially when being run over by a really really big Fire Truck.
Our task – show the underneath side of a vehicle (specifically a fire truck along with a couple of other vehicles), using a product that a local company makes. This product, is a device that when activated flips down to the wheels, and spins in conjunction with the wheels, and spins around chains that fly under the vehicles wheels giving it traction in the snow and ice. Pretty cool huh?
Well, the hurdle was how do we film under the vehicle and see the product working. Kirk didn’t really want to be strapped under a fire truck driving through snow, so we had to get a camera under the truck. Enter a GoPro HD camera. Perfect! It’s little, easy to position and shoots in HD.
Well, after some maneuvering, we got it attached to the underside of the truck. Unfortunately,
GoPro versus Fire Truck
not good enough. On one of the trips out, down went the GoPro and since it was basically right in front of the wheels, it got run over, and batted around by the chains.
As it would happen, we still needed the card out of the camera, and it looked like the card may have survived. So we had to tear apart the camera. It was trashed anyway. So, now you can see what the inside of a GoPro looks like. As it turned out, the SD card did not make. DOA. We tried several times to revive it, but alas, it was not meant to be.
As a follow-up. Kirk did get a second GoPro HD camera rigged underneath the truck, and we got some great footage! Pretty cool what it looks like under a fire truck.
More carnage
Carnage!
More Carnage
Firetruck 1 - GoPro 0
Isaac the Intern loves the Blue Angels
Welcome back to the intern blog! The guys and I just got back from a shoot in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the 114th Fighter Group National Guard Base. While at the base, we filmed the Blue Angels Navy demonstration team for an upcoming science related television show. We were given “all-access” to the Blue Angels show, pilots, and crew members for an exceptional “behind the flying” experience.
Welcome to the Intern Blog!
Hi! My name is Isaac, and for the past few weeks I’ve been working as an intern for the guys at MVP. I’m a junior in high school, and I’m interested in a career as a video or film producer. I’ve had a great time at MVP, and it has been a perfect way to obtain some first hand experience in the field of video production. I’ll be posting updates showcasing my MVP experience frequently, so be sure to keep an eye out for them!
Resilience – The Spirit of Humanity
Click on the image to hear Kirk and Jeff interviewed by Z102.9 KZIA
Kirk Monson and Jeff Zahrt were interviewed this morning by Z102.9 KZIA in anticipation of tonight’s world premier of Resilience – The Spirit of Humanity.
“Resilience – The Spirit of Humanity” is the documentary film about the unsung heroes who helped save Cedar Rapids, Iowa from the disastrous Flood of 2008.
MVP Video Productions started filming during the flood of downtown Cedar Rapids and filmed for 30 hours straight during the peak of devastation to downtown Cedar Rapids. As Cedar Rapids recognizes the one-year anniversary of the 5th largest natural disaster in the history of the United States.
“The film is a true documentary that doesn’t take sides one way or the other… It’s kind of left to you to decide, just exactly the state of Cedar Rapids… ” – Jeff Zahrt, MVP Studios
“Resilience” will premiere tonight to kick-off the Downtown Districts RIVERenaissance event. You can see the movie at 7:30 pm at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
[audio:ResilienceKZIAInterview.mp3]
