Underdog Entertainment, a New York-based production company, today announced that Daniel Azarian, a director of television commercials and branded entertainment, has produced a series of PSAs with the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) entitled, “Bullying is Violence.”rnrnThe PSA is being released today, the one-year anniversary of Rutgers College Student Tyler Clementi’s suicide as a result of anti-gay bullying.rnrn”Thanks to Daniel Azarian and Underdog Entertainment, AVP is able to make the important connection between bullying and the severe and too frequent violence that impacts LGBTQ people every day and at every age,” said Sharon Stapel, Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project. “One year ago today, Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi took his own life after experiencing anti-LGBTQ bullying. These Public Service Announcements bring much-needed awareness to the growing problem of violence faced by LGBTQ people.”rnrnThe PSAs feature a varied demographic of people filmed in the style of a series of photographic portraits, addressing the issue of bullying. "Tyler Clementi’s suicide was the impetus for me to produce these PSAs," explains director Azarian. "When bullying gets to the point where people are taking their own lives, something has to be done." The PSAs also feature Claire Buffie (Miss New York 2010) and Ronnie Kroell (Bravo’s Make Me A Supermodel). The spots were shot by cinematographer Milton Kam and edited by Joseph Orlowski. Associate producers were Pete Macnamara and Matt Hockersmith.rnrn
rnThe spot can be viewed at www.IamAntiViolence.org.rnrn”Bullying is Violence” Public Service Announcements for the New York Anti-Violence Project credits: Produced by Underdog Entertainment; Producer/Director; Daniel Azarian, Cinematography; Milton Kam, Editorial; Joseph Orlowski, Associate Producers; Pete Macnamara, Matt HockersmithrnrnThe New York City Anti-Violence Project is dedicated to eliminating hate violence, sexual assault, stalking, and domestic violence in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities through counseling, advocacy, organizing, and public education. Visit www.avp.org for more information.rnrnDaniel Azarian has won five Telly Awards including Telly’s highest honor, the Silver Award. He most recently won two Tellys for the PSA, “Save Lolita.” Azarian has also directed and produced national spots for 3M’s Scotch-Brite brand and Horizon Organic. Blue-chip telecommunications firms and entertainment networks have licensed Azarian’s commercial spots for their US and international mobile networks.rnrnUnderdog Entertainment (www.UnderdogEntertainment.com) is a New York-based production company active in producing commercial spots, branded and traditional entertainment and film.Robert Michael Underdog Entertainment Contact Robert via email 212-807-9552 Underdog Entertainment on Facebook
Liz Charky Directs a Playful and Reflective Video For Henry Hall’s “Tiny Door”
Directed by Liz Charky, the music video for Henry Hall’s ‘Tiny Door’ is a playful and profound exploration of the song’s intriguing perspective on love. Silly moments and serious heartbreak are skillfully weaved together in a series of cheeky, dreamy, profound, and sometimes psychedelic scenes. “I am a huge fan of love songs that have an unusual, hyper-specific perspective on love,” says Hall. “That’s what I wanted to do with ‘Tiny Door.’ It’s about loving someone unconditionally while recognizing that love is something that isn’t always straightforward — I think that’s something we all attempt to come to terms with in our lives. I thought it was a unique yet universal detail about love and therefore an intriguing subject matter for a song. Even though the song is a ballad at its core, it still has a lighthearted sense of humor to it — that’s really portrayed well by Liz, and Ellin Aldana, our cinematographer.” Charky explains, “When I first listened to the song, I felt it was a love song full of longing with a kind of wishful melancholy. As I spoke with Henry about his intention behind the lyrics and sound, I was assured that I'd need to explore heartbreak in a nuanced way – with a degree of levity and playfulness. For me, falling in and out of love runs the full course of human expression. Love and heartbreak can be so emotionally intense and sometimes lonely, other times quite goofy or liberating. In developing the concept, I focused on both the literal and figurative ways that falling in and out of love might look like. So, you see Henry and co-star Franny Arnautou falling, flying, dancing, raging, winking, smiling, and... Read More