The Quinn Bros. Band: A Gut-Busting Romp

Tom and Ben Quinn recently called on Three Coin Productions for another project.  Our last project with these guys was a spontaneous short film created specifically for Ben's well-read blog, The Unmighty.  This time they said the project would be "a little bit different."

"How different?" I asked.

"Well, we actually have a budget."

They had my attention.

Tom and Ben have a band, and are trying to get some more exposure.  They wanted us to produce the video coverage of their upcoming concert.  Sure, why not?  We do event coverage all the time: incentive trips, product launches, seminars, trainings, and even an occasional concert.  So the date was set.

The concert was absolutely hilarious.  Ben and Tom had the audience in hysterics, never letting up.  The shoot went well, and we look forward to producing a full concert DVD for them.  For now, here's a peek at the event.

Find out more about The Quinn Brother's Band here. 

"Little Playdates" on Insider

One of our DVD series was featured on The Insider.  Look closely and you can see some of Three Coin's creative minds hard at work.

Here's the clip: Hollywood Baby Wranglers

Congratulations to JoAnne and Trent Pettry for producing a great series.

"Webmaster Jam" filled with bevy of talent

October 3rd and 4th CoffeeCup Software hired Three Coin Productions to produce a DVD series for their "2008 Webmaster Jam" Seminar.  Our crew was thrilled to be invited, so we packed our cameras, loaded up on tapestock, and headed to Atlanta for the weekend.

We weren't to sure what to expect, but were amazed at what we saw.  The seminar introduced us to an entirely new world of development and design gurus who are leading the trends and and in front of the pack when it comes to web design advancements.  It was fascinating to sit behind the camera and listen to speakers such as Jeff Croft or Jason Ford discuss the latest trends in interactive web development.  Other presenters included talented designers like Garrett Dimon and Rob Weychert.  J Cornelius, from CoffeeCup, even hosted a "Website Smackdown," where attendees could have their own websites critiqued by a panel of experts, in front of the entire conference.

After 22 hours of footage was shot, we wrapped up and headed home.  I look forward to finishing the editing now, and will be sure that our designer implements some of the tips that were given as he prepares the DVD menus for the series.

Congratulations to the entire CoffeeCup Software crew for putting together a fantastic event.

That's a Wrap

Thanks to all who were involved in the production of "Scout Camp."  It has been incredible to see this project come to life.  We started shooting in early August, and before we wrapped, the project had turned in to a veritable "who's who" of familiar cast and crew.

The first week of shooting started modestly, with an extremely talented Shawn Carter (High School Musical 1, 2, and 3) humbly leading our cast of scouts through a comical re-creation of the happenings at a week-long scout camp.  Before the end of the week, the cast was joined by Kirby Heyborne as the scout master, who brought on a perfect balance of "let's keep the rules," and "scouts will be scouts."  By the end of the shoot, recognizable faces from all chapters of LDS cinema had come to do time in front of the camera.  In addition to Heyborne, we saw Trenton James, (Pirates of the Great Salt Lake) Curt Doussett, (Discovery Channel's Hazard Pay, Church Ball) Adam Johnson, (Charly) Matt Mattson (Single's 2nd Ward) Will Rubio, (Forever Strong) Jeffery Blake, (Stalking Santa) Brad Johnson, (High School Musical 3) and several more.  

Even behind the camera there was a reunion-type feeling for many of the crew who had worked together on previous projects.  The crew of between 20 to 30 shot 15 days and wrapped a day early.  There wasn't one complaint heard while they dealt with hot weather, night shoots, over 130 extras, remote locations, and continual on-set jokes and pranks.  Our art department, lead by Whitney Donald, delivered some fantastic sets, props, and an unforgettable "scout-mobile."  Sonja Nelson headed up the wardrobe, and managed to dress a large cast and an even larger group of extras in perfect scout related costumes.  Janna Larsen came through with some great hair and make-up looks, and even put together some Hollywood-esque prosthetic effects work.  DP Jeff Lambright worked wonders with Carl Gundestrup's lighting, to capture the true feeling of the locations.

In the end, the shoot was a complete success, and we are excited to have a fun film to present to distributors.  Production photos can be found on our "Scout Camp" facebook fan page, where fans can sign up for more updates.   

 

Shooting Sting Rays? Proceed with Caution...

Recently, a direct sales company awarded about 1500 associates with a 6-day cruise to the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel.  We got to go along for the ride, and to create the on-site highlights videos.

One thing we have learned from years of highlight shows, for a variety of clients, is that each show has to be different.  The more creative we can be with the trip attendees, the better the show is going to be.  By now, a

ll the attendees have seen the typical "Happy-Faces" video, in which the cameras are just a fly-on-the-wall, desperately trying to grab any sort of a wave or a smile.  That, to me, just isn't good enough. 

Equipped with 3 Sony HVR-Z1U High-Def Cameras, an HDR-HC1 with underwater housing, a complete on-site editing bay, some field mic audio kits, and about 12 miles of DV tape, we were set to cover the expected, and the unexpected.

By the end of the trip, we had delivered 14 different shows, including daily activity reels, two "Office" style mockumentaries featuring the plight of attendees and a water slide, two mock-commercials promoting in the style of a Geico ad, a hilarious "Rock the Boat" music video montage, and the masterpiece, "Cruizine," an homage to the abundance of food available on a cruise ship.  The client was pleased with the videos, and the attendees loved seeing themselves throughout the week on the ship's closed circuit broadcast, and jumbo screen.

On a side note, I find that the more effort we put into making the video fun for the viewers, the more highlights we get to experience ourselves.  On this particular trip, the client invited us on several excursions, including a trip to swim on a sandbar, where we were visited by a pack of sting rays.  Or maybe it's a tribe of sting rays?  Or a school?  Whatever it is, it was covered in the highlights.

Mark McGrath's Valuable Lesson

Remember the band Sugar Ray? A few years ago they had the number 1 hit song "Every Morning." After that hit, except for a few guest hosting gigs, Mark McGrath and the rest of his band have all but disappeared.  Or have they...

We were recently contracted through a great client to put together an on-site highlights video in Puerto Rico for a corporate awards party. You know the type of video. It's similar to the "Cruise in Review" DVDs, that you feel obligated to buy as you leave a cruise vacation. It shows all the people on the ship, acting a little foolish, waving to the camera, and just having the time of their lives. Well this gig was similar.  A well known investment bank was throwing an "Awards Party" for about 1000 of their top sales staff, and they wanted a video done to highlight their trip. We said yes to the gig, and headed out to Puerto Rico.

The week was spent shooting and editing all the candid moments and excursions. We even added some sight gags, and dynamic shots, just to give that special comical touch to the show. The video was to be shown on-site, so our nights were spent editing in our on-site travel edit bay.  As I think about this type of work, I tend to cringe a bit. Highlights videos? I mean, come on, that's not why I went to film school.  How is this going to allow me to direct my feature? Besides, it's tough work; all night edits, hot daytime shoots, all for a video that is going to be seen one time? Why put in that much effort?

Then came the closing night gala.  All the attendees were decked out in tuxes and gowns, and the final awards had been given out.  Dinner had finished, and the entertainment segment of the evening had started.  Our video rolled to approving laughter and applause.   Our job was done, and we were congratulated.  The emcee then announced a surprise concert for all the attendees.  Who was playing?  None other than Mark McGrath and Sugar Ray.  "Hmm," I think to myself, "Didn't they have a number 1 hit?"  I wondered how Mark felt about playing at a corporate gig.   Judging by their performance that night, they absolutely did have a hit, and that night they proved why.  Without hesitation or pride, they attacked the grand ballroom stage with the same energy and passion as they would have for an arena full of screaming fans.  It was a private concert put on by first class performers.  Whether fans of their music or not,  I'm sure that everyone in the room was appreciative that the band was giving them their best performance.

So I took a moment to review our own "performance."  Highlights videos have taken us all over the country and beyond.  We've filmed in the Carribean, Jamaica, Aruba, Curaçao, St Thomas, Cancun, and more.  Our various clients treat us well.  We enjoy the travel.  We enjoy the posh resorts.  We enjoy filming in exotic locations all over the world.  We even enjoy the challenge of putting together an entertaining highlights piece in a high-pressure on-site environment.  It's not the only type of work we do, but it is a part of our portfolio, and deserves our best performance.

So I have to say "Thanks, Sugar Ray," who proved their success by putting 100% into whatever the gig might be.

Three Coin Productions Wins 24 Hour Film Competition

Three Coin Productions was pleased to participate in the 2008 24 Hour Film Festival.  On January 11th 2008, contestants were given 24 hours to make a film with the following guidelines:  The theme must relate to "Compassion."  There must be band-aid in the film.  And the film must contain the line "Could you please..."

TCP teamed up with Matt Mattson and Jake Suazo, two very funny and talented improv actors.  After a breakfast brainstorm session, and a two hour shoot, production was complete.  Mat Gerow was the DP, and Garrett Batty directed and edited.  After a few more hours editing, and tweaking, the film was ready to submit.

On January 18th, 41 submitted films screened to a packed theater.  Audience members and judges submitted ballots for their favorite films.  Winners were announced at an awards ceremony on January 19.  "#Pound# 646" was awarded audience choice, and first place from the judges.

More information on the festival can be found at www.ldsfilmfestival.org

"#Pound# 646" can be viewed below.