Boston-headquartered production and post company ELEMENT Productions has launched ELEMENT Austin in partnership with video and photography production studio Vivian to extend its content creation services, representing a select directorial roster out of Austin, Texas. The partnership positions both companies to evolve with growing client needs, combining ELEMENT’s 20-years’ expertise in comprehensive marketing solutions and award-winning directors with Vivian’s production resources. Vivian will represent the entire ELEMENT directorial roster in Austin. The venture allows both parties greater accessibility and broader production flexibility for top-tier brands and clients nationwide. Directors and clients will enjoy the Vivian studio complete with a full production office, 18’x12’x26’ cyc, full production services and multiple forms of transportation. Currently, in Austin, ELEMENT is in production with Tito’s Handmade Vodka on an upcoming multi-platform marketing campaign, which will launch at the end of this year….
Zoo Content, a boutique agency and production company focused on branded content and creative communication solutions, has elevated Melody Cade to a partner in its L.A. office. Cade has spent a majority of her career in distribution of film and television and in project management, working at various studios and vendors. She also created and manages a networking organization for black women in entertainment and media, The LH Group. Cade will be leading Zoo’s existing and new production efforts to create branded content with a greater understanding and communication with underrepresented groups. She joins founder of Zoo Content, Joel Umbaugh, who acts as the executive producer and director. Zoo produces custom projects for Netflix, Dish, JPMorgan Chase, NCAA, Anthem, and Microsoft…..
SHIFT, makers of video collaboration and media management platform SHIFT, MediaSilo, Wiredrive, and Screeners.com, announced that after a successful inaugural grant program for narrative short films in 2018, the SHIFT Creative Fund returns for a second year. From a pool of more than 500 applicants last year, a jury of industry leaders chose four filmmakers to receive funding from SHIFT’s grant program, which provided a combined $100,000 to produce their films. In February 2019, Bad Assistant, Cosmic Fling, Father Figurine, and Pioneers premiered in Los Angeles at the South Park Center to an audience of nearly 300 people. The 2019 application window is open through September 30, 2019 (applications close at midnight PST). Grants are awarded on an as-needed basis. Filmmakers are asked to submit a top-line budget along with their application. Although there is technically no budget limit, SHIFT highly recommends submitting budgets between $5,000-$40,000. Submitted applications will then go through a read/review process by the SHIFT team, a group of semifinalists will be posted on social media for a community voting window, and finalists will then be sent to a judging panel of industry leaders for the final decision. Grant recipients will be selected before the end of 2019. In addition to grant money, more than 20 sponsors and counting have donated in-kind services, such as free music licensing, discounted location rentals, licenses to popular screenwriting software, and complimentary legal consultations….
