The Omnilab Group, one of Australia’s largest privately owned media services companies, has acquired AAV Limited’s Digital Media Services group, which includes Digital Pictures Melbourne and Sydney, Iloura Melbourne, Comcopy Imagestream, Flagstaff Studios, Digital Pictures Interactive, AAV PAX, AAV New Zealand, and a 50 percent stake in DubSat. Omnilab adds these assets to its existing independent businesses which include: The Lab Sydney, Ambience Entertainment, The Playroom Sydney, Cornerpost and Island Films….Santa Monica-headquartered Ascent Media Group, parent of such companies as R!OT and Company 3, announced that Minneapolis-based digital production studio Met/Hodder has become the latest shop to serve as a UP Satellite host site. The technology allows ad agencies and other users of telecine services to collaborate remotely and in real time with colorists at Ascent Media facilities in Southern California and New York. To accommodate the service, a “virtual telecine suite” has been set up at Met/Hodder that includes a calibrated monitor and proprietary Ascent Media technology. Clients at Met/Hodder can now observe ongoing telecine work in real time while communicating with the colorist via speaker phone or video conference….Melissa Nusbaum has joined New York-based hybrid editorial/production/interactive design house Convergence as a senior producer. She formerly served as a postproduction producer for Consulate, New York, for two years, working on campaigns for such clients as Chevy, Clairol, Cover Girl and L’Oreal. Nusbaum earlier worked in production at Outsider and Digital Kitchen, both in Chicago….Colorist John Palmisano has joined the staff of Miami-based Cineworks Digital Studios Inc. He rounds out a roster of colorists that includes Leonardo Stagno, Matt Perrin and Raphael Perez. An 18-year industry veteran, Palmisano was most recently at Manhattan Transfer/Miami. His reel includes commercials for McDonald’s, American Express, Pampers and Volkswagen….TV/film design studio b Creative has been launched in-house at Broadway Video, New York. Heading the new venture as creative director is designer Jodelle Reed-Devaney. Lisanne McDonald is executive producer and Cathlyn Cantone is director, marketing and creative services, for b Creative….Gina Martorana, formerly of The Reel People Company, New York, has joined Rooftop Edit, New York, as executive producer….Charlex, New York, won a BDA World Gold Award for its M&M’s “River Rock” spot via BBDO New York….
AICP’s Matt Miller Looks To Build Support For Production In L.A. After Devastating Wildfires
Editor’s note: AICP president and CEO Matt Miller issued the following statement addressing the wildfires in Los Angeles and how the industry can help this key production market--a hub of major resources essential to the health of the overall commercialmaking industry:
Who Needs Los Angeles? We Do.
By Matt Miller, AICP president and CEO
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 L.A. 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... Read More