Star Spotlight: Dom DeLuise

Actor, all around funny guy, Dom DeLuise

“I’m actually a thin serious person but I play fat and fUnNy,

but only for the movies!” – Dom DeLuise

Born on August 1, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, to Italian American parents, Dominick “Dom” DeLuise developed an interest in acting at the age of 8, after playing Peter Rabbit in a grade school play. A graduate of Manhattan’s High School of Performing Arts, #DomDeLuise initially enrolled at #TuftsUniversity in Medford, Massachusetts, to study biology, with the aim of becoming a teacher. However, the acting bug caught him and was found to be incurable.

DeLuise began landing roles on TV shows such as The Entertainers and The Shari Lewis Show, when he caught the attention of actor #GarryMoore. Moore hired DeLuise to appear on The Garry Moore Show.

This is where he debut his character #DominicktheGreat, in which he pretends to be an unsuccessful magician. Following this he began appearing in variety shows and comedy specials of his own, including The Dom DeLuise Show in 1968.

Dom DeLuise is probably best known for his roles with actor Burt Reynolds and director #MelBrooks which includes The Twelve Chairs (1970), Blazing Saddles (1974), Silent Movie (1976), History of the World: Part I (1981), and the voice for the character of #PizzatheHutt in the cult comedy hit, Spaceballs (1987).

With #BurtReynolds, DeLuise appeared in films such as The Cannonball Run (1981) and Cannonball Run II (1984) as well as Smokey and the Bandit II (1980), and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982).

An avid cook & #foodie, before the term existed, Dom DeLuise authored several instructional books on cooking, including Eat This, It’ll Make You Feel Better (1991), and Eat This Too: It’ll Make You Feel Better (1998). He also authored children books, such as Charlie the Caterpillar (1993) and a retelling of the traditional tale Goldilocks (1997).

On May 4, 2009, Dom DeLuise died in his sleep after suffering from kidney failure. He was survived by his wife, actress #CarolArthur, and three actor sons, #PeterDeLuise, #DavidDeLuise and #MichaelDeLuise

Brilliant comedic timing, sensitivity, a friendly face, variety of talents and skills, and made up of heart and hearty foods Dom DeLuise will forever be loved by young and old film and television viewers for all of time!

Outside Sources:
http://www.biography.com/people/dom-deluise-443562#comedic-roles

 

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Star Spotlight: Dom DeLuise

Video Editing - A Forever Job

Video Editing: the art of assembling the thoughts and shots of many!

Video editing requires several gallons of coffee

Like the minister who pronounces young lovers husband and wife, like the baker who mixes all the farmers ingredients together to form a cake, the #VideoEditor is the one who takes pieces of a project and assembles them into a video masterpiece!

A  lot of hands, hearts and minds go into video production.

The #Client

The #Writer

The #Director

The #Actors

The #CameraCrew

All these people have a stake in the production of the company’s dream video. They all have ideas of how they want it to look, sound and feel. The client comes to us looking for professional assistance in producing their corporate video. They meet with us and we “flesh out” ideas. The writer develops those into a script. We consider their thoughts and ideas and how they wish to portray their company when writing the drafts of their scripts, but also keeping in mind what we know works best and looks best in video production. After a final draft is written we gear-up for shoot day. The director, actors and camera crew are then added to the mix. The director directs the actual film making process on shoot day. That means everything from instructing an experienced camera crew on what and how to capture the footage as well as guiding the actors/performers and making sure to get that shot!

The Editor is apart of the post-production team and often overlooked or forgotten.

The Director calls “cut”, “print”, followed by “thats a wrap” and we think, Success! Its over and ready to go! Not quite….

The Director, writer, actor and camera crew can all go home and put this project to rest, but now it is the Editors chance to step in and work his/her magic.

Video editing is a very tedious and complicated job, but a rewarding one as well.

An editor takes a bunch of raw footage, cuts, takes, images, audio, graphics, etc and assembles it. It is like putting together a puzzle of 1000+ pieces. Video editing requires concentration, attention to even the smallest details, organization, strategy and patients (and coffee)

An editor takes all the hopes and dreams of all those that participated in the production prior and makes them all work together, like a machine, and creates the final product for all to see.

Take a look at one of @keywest_video  past productions, a promotional video for #RenaldoGairy #Way2FitTraining

Think of the video editor as a mechanic. He/she takes working parts and makes them all work together! So next time you get your dream video produced, don’t forget to thank the one behind the computer screen!

Here are more examples of the powers an editor possesses!

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Video Editing - A Forever Job

Writers Block - The Long and Winding Road

One day you decide your business company needs a great video so you come to a great video production company like #KeyWestVideo (#selfplugging), but you don’t have the slightest idea where to begin.

That is what we professionals call #writersblock.

Writers Block is a lonely street

For questions like, What do I want my video to look like? What should the main focus be? What do I want to say?, you may not have an answer for. But that’s okay! These speed bumps on Writers Block are completely normal.

Its always best to get back to basics. Think about what the original goal or intent was for your company/product. Think about what you have to offer to a viewer or potential client. Simple is often most clear and easily digestible when it comes to #corporatevideoproduction.

Next, jot down anything and everything you can that relates to your company. Both terms and full sentences. Chances are most of it will not be usable, but once its on paper its out of your head and clears space for more ideas that will work! If even 1 of your ideas or concept is usable you are off of writers block and on easy street.

If you are still suffering from writers block……take a break! Sounds crazy, but sometimes stepping away from the notepad or computer screen or team pow-wow is all you need to get those juices in your brain flowing again. Take a walk, have a snack or just do something else.

If all else fails, just come on in to Key West Video and let us assist you. Our team of professionals are always available to support you and your video production needs. So whether you have a rough sketch of what you want or no clue what you want, but just than you want something, we can help!  So give us a call, shoot us an e-mail or visit us at the offices, conveniently NOT located anywhere near writers block!

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Writers Block - The Long and Winding Road

Star Spotlight: Don Knotts

He will leave you all tied up in Knotts!

Ladies and gentlemen, the incomparable
Mr. #DonKnotts.

Whether enforcing law and order as Deputy on the streets of #Mayberry, collecting rent from the young tenants of his California apartment complex or swimming the deep blue sea, one can certainly agree that Don Knotts never ceases to amaze.

Born Jesse Donald Knotts on July 21, 1924, in Morgantown, West Virginia, Knotts began performing during his teenage years, as a comedian and ventriloquist, in local churches and school functions. Following his university freshman year Knotts joined the U.S. Army. His background and love for performing is what  drove him to tour the Pacific Islands during World War II as a comedian in a G.I. variety show called Stars and Gripes.

After the war Knotts relocated to New York City where he began landing regular acting gigs on television and radio and on #Broadway. His stage debut came in 1955 with the hit comedy #NoTimeForSargeants, which began the famous pairinf of Knotts and #AndyGriffith.

In 1960, after 4 years of a regular roll with #TheSteveAllenShow, Knotts relocated to Hollywood along with the show itself, which is where he began production on a brand new comedy #TheAndyGriffithShow, with long time colleague and friend, Andy Griffith.

A #Desilu production, The Andy Griffith Show stars Griffith and Knotts as the Sheriff and Deputy of the town of  Mayberry and follows their attempts at maintaining law and order amongst the comedic members of this small, friendly, southern town. Thus began the roll he would long be remembered and loved for!

During his run on the series as a “Barney Fife” for 5 seasons he earned three #EmmyAwards for outstanding performance in a supporting role in a series. He left to pursue a film career and even when returning as a guest star earned an additional 2 Emmys.

His film career was often steady and his work praised by audiences. His comedic timing, charm and lovability set him up for success with a string of family films, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966), The Reluctant Astronaut (1967), The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968), and his first starring role and my favorite of his film endevours, The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964).

In 1979 he returned to prime time television in the hit comedy series #Three’sCompany as Ralph Furley, the landlord of John Ritter’s character “Jack Tripper” until the show’s final season in 1984.

He went on to guest star in several television shows and also held a small, but memorable role in #Pleasantville (1998). In 1999, Knotts published his autobiography, Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known.

Knotts succumbed to lung cancer on February 24, 2006, at the age of 81, in Los Angeles, California. He was survived by two children, Karen and Thomas, from his first marriage to Kathryn Metz.

A long, hysterical career that many would have been honored to have played lead to this second banana!

Let us leave you now with one of the best Barney Fife scenes of The Andy Griffith Show. Not often was Knotts given the opportunity to showcase his full acting range, but when he did he stole more than the scene, he stole our hearts too!

 

Thank you Mr. Knotts. You may step down.

Outside Sources:
http://www.biography.com/people/don-knotts-9542240#commercial-breakthrough-the-andy-griffith-show

 

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Star Spotlight: Don Knotts

Please, turn off all recording devices!

Recording in public spaces, private homes, concerts, street performers, everyday people… should anyone recording anyone be monitored?

During its final week I, like thousands of Canadians, every August, rushed to get in my last “fix” of the Canadian National Exhibition, something I look forward too every summer. I impatiently wait for the list of performers set to hit #TheBandshell. I always, instinctively, go for the classics, because hey, its free with the price of admission, which is $6.00 after 5PM (up until last year it was $5.00 after 5, kinder to both the ear and wallet, but, it’s a recession people) and you can stand right in front of your favourite performers if you are there early enough, or push hard enough through the crowds. IT’S A STEAL!

I’ve seen so many greats there…

#FrankieAvalon

#TheBeachBoys, #GlenCampbell,

#PeterNoone (front man of #HermansHermitts)

and the hysterical musical stylings of Paul Revere and The Raiders. This year, I was adding Canadian Rock and Roll Hall of fame-ers #AprilWine to my ever growing list! I get there, and, like everyone else awkwardly waiting for the show to begin, I pull out my handy portable recording device, my BlackBerry (I know, I’m behind on the upgrades), to begin my concert enjoying process.

A process I know you are all too familiar with.

PROCESS:

1. Take selfie in front of bare stage

2. Update Facebook status, complete with picture and “feeling”

3. (Repeat for Twitter and Instagram)

4. Continue taking selfies of self “just hanging” as if no one is watching (do this 23 times until I get the picture I desire)

5. Take photos of crew/crowd

6. Decide I do not like where I am standing and think I can find a better spot so I move

7. New selfie to show better spot found!

8. Band is about to come out, update all digital accounts! (because, of course, everyone really cares what I am up to on a Wednesday evening)

9. Selfie in front of band, which is the same as “with” the band :p

10. Proceed, throughout the concert, to record and capture multiple photos/videos of band (love “Just between You And Me”)

11. Selfie of “happy” self at concerts end

12. Update status

13. Go home, feeling lucky to have experienced what I just did

It’s a process. One that involves a fully charged phone with a decent battery. So, back to the story, I had just completed step #8, looking forward to #9, when the announcer comes out and announces to what was a completely shocked, confused and stunned audience, myself included, “The band has asked that you do not record tonight’s performance on your personal recording devices. Thank you. Enjoy the show!” Silence. Everyone was looking around, as if to see if we all actually heard the same thing. I think one person laughed and screamed, “Woo!” Perhaps it was to break the tension, or they, like the rest of us, felt a little awkward and lost. The idea that I would simply watch and enjoy a concert without my recording device was inconceivable! Some proceeded to put away their phones. Would security confiscate them? Would anyone even be watching? I myself looked around for “big brother”!

I paid my ticket. I paid the $6.00 entry fee, so I paid my dues and should be able to do as I please… shouldn’t I? What if they asked us nicely? I am in a public space… If I decide to take a random selfie or video of myself having a great time at the #CNE and April Wine just happens to “bomb” my recording, HOW IS THAT MY FAULT? SHOULD I HAVE TO DELETE IT?

Though, what if it is how they make their living? They are called starving artists for a reason. The aging, plump, April Wine certainly isn’t starving. So that begs the question… should those rules only be in place for the poor, bean-pole, artist?

This is a loaded debate, like a fully loaded baked potato, with all the fixins. I asked a few of my fellow rocker enthusiasts amongst the crowd. As viewers they thought it was ridiculous. Now a days everyone records everything they said, so it’s inevitable and stupid to even suggest such an idea! As not just a consumer, but an artist, that depends on making a living through her craft, I played devil’s advocate and brought in the side of the artist, April Wine’s side. They understood and were sympathetic, but ultimately said to give up the fight.

All I can say is 2 minutes into the concert, 30% of the audience pulled their recording devices back out of their pockets, but every so often attempted to conceal them if the thought creeped into their minds. By sundown, just about everyone, myself included, had pulled out their cell phones, camera big and small, iPads, and whatever else they had on them and proceeded to record and capture their favorite songs.

We can debate this till the cows come home, but I milked them this morning, so I am over that. I do not have an answer. Do you? How would YOU feel if you were performing? If this was how you made your money? Or is art, like love, meant to be free? Great… now I have morphed from a rocker to a hippie…

At any rate, here are my undesirable photos and a video from the concert, on a hill and far away:

Randomly recording my presence… Selfie #1

Randomly recording my presence… Selfie #2

    

I should note that I own this post and would NOT like it shared or re-posted. Forget you ever saw it. Thanks for understanding. :p

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Please, turn off all recording devices!

Audio Dysfunction: Keywest Vlog

Do you or someone you know suffer from audio dysfunction?

With all the aspects that go into producing a great looking corporate video, its easy to overlook all the potential problems associated with audio production. No matter how much time and effort goes into creating a beautiful looking image, poor sound quality can permanently damage a videos presentation.

For out video blog this week, we thought we’d highlight some of the many pitfalls associated with audio production in a humorous way.

Its possible that the widespread access to HD video cameras as made some individuals complacent when it comes to the audio quality of their productions. In some cases such as daily vloggers on YouTube for example, it may be less relevant, but when you are representing your business, that extra attention to detail can really leave a lasting impression. Check out this article about the importance of getting good audio on Soundworks.com

Its true that you can always re-record a new voice track and dub it over the original damaged audio, but the reality is that it rarely looks perfect, and it can be cost prohibitive. Check out this article about ADR (Automatic Dialogue Replacement) on Videomaker.com.

Having professionals record high quality audio on the day of a video production can save you endless headaches and money. You will see a lot more production value for your investment if its used initually to produce a quality video, as opposed to afterward to patch preventable damage. Next time you need to produce a corporate video, call Keywest Video and have your audio recorded right the first time.

If you or someone you know is suffering the effects of poor audio production, support groups can be found on many online forums such as Inditalk.com.

 

 

 

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Audio Dysfunction: Keywest Vlog

Heineken Social Experiment

Heineken’s latest advertising campaign involves an interesting social experiment that uses a payphone and comedian Fred Armisen as a form of interactive marketing.

#Heineken, the famous Dutch brewery, joined forces with Saturday Night Live’s Fred Armisen to create a #SocialExperiment that challenges people to interrupt their daily routines. Part of the brand’s global “Cities of the World” campaign, this interesting social experiment, appropriately titled “Routine Interruptions”, yielded some entertaining results. Take a look below!

http://youtu.be/DwaAFSiBedU

Renowned comedian Fred Armisen anonymously calls a New York City public pay phone in hopes that an innocent citizen walking by will pick it up. He keeps his identity shielded, while asking people to “come across the street.” If the person answering the phone agrees to do what Fred says they get to experience a once in a lifetime night on stage with Fred. Those who were brave enough to answer the call and walk into the unknown were rewarded with a unique experience.

Those who obliged and accepted a stranger’s invitation to “come across the street” — and only a handful of people did out of thousands that passed by the phone, according to Heineken — were invited on stage with Mr. Armisen at the Comedy Cellar comedy club on MacDougal Street.

Ad Age states:

As part of the campaign, Heineken will encourage people to enter their phone numbers at RoutineInterruptions.com. The brand promises to call “thousands” of entrants, asking people to partake in an unknown activity. The events are described as “cultural activities that inspire them to try something new.” Examples of rewards could include a private concert in a living room.

The beer giant’s aim is to use these unique social experiments to pull the constantly busy and the on-the-go city dwellers out of their demanding daily routines. Social experiments such as these generate a great deal of conversation and are an excellent #InteractiveMarketing tool.

Heineken Social Experiment – Would you answer the call?

Would you have answered the #RingingPayphone? If yes, would you have gone across the street?

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Heineken Social Experiment