To help with the global launch of an activity tracker that’s simple, thoughtful and well-built, Brooklyn company Co.MISSION has applied the same smart philosophy to the creation of a global video debuting today that showcases the talent and expertise of filmmakers around the world. nnThe 70-second lifestyle video piece is the second awarded to Co.MISSION by Misfit Wearables in support of the Misfit Shine, an elegant, quarter-sized metal device that syncs wirelessly with the Misfit iOS app on an iPhone to track progress toward movement goals. Since its Nov. 14 launch on crowdfunding website Indiegogo, Misfit Shine has become the second-fastest-growing campaign in the site’s history, reaching its $100,000 fundraising goal in less than 10 hours and, to date, drawing more than $440,000 in contributions from more than 4,870 funders. The device is to be shipped in March to those who have ordered it.nn
n”An Ode To Movement” can be viewed on the Indiegogo gallery page of Misfit Shine or on YouTube.nnTo share Misfit Shine‘s story of movement as widely as possible, Co.MISSION founder Harrison Winter worked with a core team to develop the concept, headed by filmmaker and director Michael Marantz of Brooklyn company Already Alive. Co.MISSION then tapped into local filmmakers in seven countries to capture vivid, authentic moments that reinforce the core message across cultures. “An Ode To Movement” places the viewer on the back of a camel, depicts life in Beijing and shows a child jumping into the Great Barrier Reef, all to convey a universal message: Moving Is Living. Footage for the documentary-style project was gathered over two to three weeks in Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, Nepal, China, Australia and New York, with contributors receiving consistent style and shoot direction – ensuring nothing would be lost in translation. nn”It was really important for us to design the concept so a wide range of filmmakers could contribute, Marantz said. “It was about being smart with creative in order to get great production value in a cost-effective way and in a short period of time.” nnWinter believes that the future of brand videos lies in young filmmakers and brands coming together on projects such as these, relying upon a unique network of talent and access to inexpensive, high-quality cameras. Being mindful that millennials are one of the biggest audiences to share content online, he said, brands that can tell bigger, global stories with video will connect best with their audiences – and experience a higher likelihood of individuals sharing that content with others. Brands must enlist local help for their messages to resonate globally, Winter added.nn”This global video is a piece that entertains Misfit Shine‘s existing audience and reaches a new audience,” Winter said. “The Internet allows that in a big way now.”nnMisfit Wearables‘ co-founder and CEO, Sonny Vu, added, “We’re excited to release this global video, not only to communicate our belief that moving is living, but also to metaphorically show one of the best aspects of the Misfit Shine design – that you can wear it anywhere.” nnAbout Co.MISSIONnCo.MISSION is a strategic leader of the online video process, merging the goals of young filmmakers and brands into one mission: to entertain online audiences with brand stories. The company uses its global network of young filmmakers to create share-worthy videos, and it oversees the entire process by ensuring concepts are on strategy, coordinating production, providing distribution plans so videos get seen, and tracking the ROI of the videos it creates. More details are at comissioncontent.com.nnCreditsnProduced by Co.MISSION and Already AlivenSao Paulo: Kico SantosnSouth Africa: Lloyd RamsaynEgypt: Dana SmillienNepal: Suraj ShakyanBeijing: Mandarin FilmnAustralia: Glenn SaggersnNew York City: Already Alive“Harrison Winter Founder | Co.MISSION 305.323.2294 | Twitter | Facebook
Who Needs Los Angeles? We Do.
One doesn't have to be a statistician to know that there are fewer commercials being shot in the U.S. today for the American market than ever before, and a dramatic decrease in L.A. in particular. In the last five years, as reported by FilmLA (the office tasked with issuing permits), L.A. commercial production has dipped 31 percent. But here’s the thing: This doesn’t mean that L.A. has lost its importance as the production center of the world. Production in L.A. is vital. It is the go-to. It’s where you can count on access to exemplary crews, a support infrastructure second to none, varied location and backlot options, a large population of on-screen talent and (fairly) predictable weather. The fact is, with overall decline and now the devastation of the fires, we’re on the brink of losing this mainstay resource. Without employment opportunities and now many without homes, talented and trained crew are bound to leave either the industry or the LA area for other opportunities, unless there are enough job opportunities to sustain a solid living. Now is the time when we ALL must support and bolster this community. Production is needed in L.A., now! Of course, advertising is a business, and marketers’ money should be spent as efficiently as possible, BUT we have to think beyond each production and know that if we lose the incredible resource of L.A. production as we know it, then marketers, agencies and the industry loses in the long run. Over the past several days, some agencies have issued directives to production companies that are unilaterally pushing upcoming production options out of L.A. The fact is L.A. is a large area, and many sections of the city and county are not directly impacted... Read More