Bestselling authors Tom Clancy, Nora Roberts and Patricia Cornwell may not have much in common style-wise, but they do share one thing – each have turned to IKA Collective and its founder/director Ian Karr to help navigate the new media landscape with content that ranges from powerful trailers to clever viral ads to social media.nn”Book publishers are embracing new media in a big way,” Jonathan Jacobson, IKA Collective producer/director says. “They recognize that it’s not just about selling books, but about building the brand of their bestselling authors, and fostering a sense of community between them and their readers.”nnSeveral recent IKA book projects showcase the range of creativity the company brings to the publishing industry. nn
nn‘Locked On’ With Tom Clancy TrailernIKA’s latest book project is the Hollywood-style book trailer for Tom Clancy latest page-turner “Locked On” (Putnam) directed by Jacobson. The spot begins seemingly as a typical political ad for the presidential candidacy of Jack Ryan, but the mood quickly turns sinister. Fast-cut, grainy images of an army on the move, intercut with shots of an assassin’s hands carefully assembling a high-powered shotgun, perfectly capture the book’s tone of political intrigue and espionage. nnViral And MorenOn the opposite end of the spectrum is IKA’s viral ad for writer Julie Klam and Riverhead Books, featuring actor Timothy Hutton and directed by Karr. Shot in a mockumentary style, this funny short begins with Klam talking with her publisher about how Hutton, an avid reader with a popular blog about literature, is a fan of her books and wants to help promote them. Hopes are quickly dashed when a rude Hutton reveals that he doesn’t actually read books, but rather leaves it to an assistant.nnnn”No matter how much technology evolves, the importance of telling a good story remains constant," Karr says. "The story of the trailer doesn’t necessarily have to mirror the one in the book. If the trailer is funny and interesting, the inference is that the book is too. Having an Oscar-winning actor willing to poke a little fun at his fame made for a an effective viral ad.” nnKarr adds, "Everything today is about content and publishers have loads of it. The trick is re-packaging and promoting the work in a way that makes it more accessible to a digitally-obsessed world. We do that really well at IKA.”nnFor writer Nora Roberts, IKA produced of a one-of-a-kind web special exclusively for Roberts’ readers in which she gives a tour of the Inn Boonsboro in her hometown of Boonsboro, Maryland. She and her husband co-own the inn and recently reopened after a 2008 fire nearly destroyed it. Since her latest romance trilogy is set in the town and the inn, Roberts worked with Karr and IKA to give fans an inside look around and a Q&A with Roberts.nnnnEnhancing the ClassicsnIKA is also played a leading role in the evolution of classic literature adapted for today’s tablets and e-readers. They worked extensively on “enhanced” versions of such classics as Jack Kerouac’s “On The Road” and John Steinbeck‘s “Of Mice And Men.” IKA’s editors and designers took archival audio and video footage provided by the publishers to create short video segments interspersed throughout the e-book offering readers added insight into these great works, harnessing all the power of today’s tablet and e-reader devices.nnnnFor Robbie Chafitz, IKA’s Creative Director, creating effective book trailers and branded content is especially challenging because unlike promos for movies, music or TV, there are very little resources to work with – no cast or song or footage – just the author’s words and IKA’s creative ability to bring them visually to life.nn”With book trailers you have to interpret the book in a concise and visually exciting way,” Chafitz says. “Fortunately, this is something we are quite good at. And because of all the resources we have available to us, we can provide not only the strategy and the production, but also the editorial, visual effects and music. IKA’s combination of talent and resources is why so many leading publishers want to work with us, and why we see this as a tremendous growth area for the company.”nnAbout IKA CollectivenFounded by noted brand strategist/director Ian Karr, IKA Collective is more than a production company. Rather, a creative collective of writers, producers, editors, directors, composers, digital artists, fashionistas, foodies and horror film fanatics who love to tell stories. Whether it’s an ad, a network promo, a digital media project, or their own original content, IKA Collective is all about communicating in a way that entertains and gets results. Our facility includes a live insert stage, five edit rooms, digital color grading, graphics, compositing and audio mixing suites, allowing us to deliver great work at budgets that make sense in every medium. Recent clients include Fox TV, Discovery Channel, Continental Airlines, Hallmark Channel and Penguin Publishing. For more information go to www.ikacollective.com.nnWeb ResourcesnnClick here to view some of IKA Collective‘s book work: Tom Clancy “Locked On” trailer.nView Julie Klam, Timothy Hutton Viral Ad here. nView John Steinbeck “Of Mice And Men” enhanced e-book trailer here.nView Nora Roberts on “The BoonsBoro Trilogy” online content here.
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Right Word Media Ray Ecke p. 973.726.3797 f. 973.726.3798 c. 201.741.1092 Contact Ray via email
SPW Category:General News
Experience A Delectable Blend Of Joy And Fear – Watch “ALY” At A Festival Near You!
From ““ALY”,” a new comedy romance horror short film written and directed by Kevin L. Lee, starring Max Schuster (Michael) and Angela Wong Carbone (Aly), shot by Director of Photography, Celine Rose Sutter.
”ALY,” the latest genre-blending short film from writer, director, and editor Kevin L. Lee, is making the rounds on the festival circuit. The short film premiered at the EB Indie Film Festival on August 3, 2024, and has since been showcased at the 2024 El Paso Film Festival, the 2024 New York Shorts International Film Festival, and the 2024 Sherman Oaks Film Festival, among others. “ALY” is starting 2025 off strong with its screening at Short. Sweet. Film Fest. on March 2, 2025. A captivating mix of comedy, romance, and horror, ”ALY” explores the nerve-wracking excitement of new love with an unexpected twist. The 14-minute short follows Michael and Aly on what could be the most significant night of their relationship—until Aly’s unsettling revelation threatens to change everything.
“Even though ”ALY” is technically a horror film, my hope is for the story to feel down-to-earth and relatable,” says director Kevin L. Lee. “I want the audience to have a good laugh and see themselves in these characters in their own weird, unique way.”Lee, an Asian-American filmmaker based in New York City, has spent over a decade immersed in film criticism and journalism. Lee brings a deep understanding of genre and narrative to his directorial work. With an MFA in film producing from Columbia University, he continues to develop innovative projects across film and television. Lee’s latest film, “ALY ,” has garnered widespread acclaim, not only for its compelling storytelling but also for his directorial approach, which has been praised by the film’s lead cast. Max Schuster, lead actor, shared, “Kevin is one of... Read More
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