The independent film, "Drawing Home" (from up-and-coming producers M.Y.R.A. Entertainment LLC.) is a success story for the PNYA. Many of members of the post crew were introduced to Ian Blume, the editor of "Drawing Home", through PNYA sponsored events. PNYA member Blume spoke at the PNYA Sound Turnover seminar, where he reconnected with the music editor, composer, and PNYA member, Ben Pedersen (They had worked on "Doubt" together in 2008.) That reconnection led Pederson to watch the rough cut of the film with over an hour of robust temp score. After one viewing he submitted a few music demos which so impressed Blume and the filmmakers that they hired him as the composer on the film. At the PNYA VFX seminar, Blume met VFX Supervisor Lucien Harriot. This introduction eventually led to the hiring of Harriot, also a PNYA member, as the VFX supervisor on the film, in which there are over two hundred visual effects (ranging from basic green screens to a full CGI recreation of 1929 Boston.)
Additional PNYA members who are working on the film include VFX Supervisor and Title Designer Randy Balsmeyer and Sound Supervisor John Bowen. The Digital Intermediate grading will be done at Digital Arts by colorist and owner Axel Ericson. The Final Mix will also take place at Digital Arts.
New York State is thriving in production and post production due to the New York State Tax Incentive Program. The Empire State Development Corporation has reported the following statistics for 2014: For the production program, ESD issued $450 million in credits to 121 projects. The previous record was in 2012 (prior to the restructuring) when they issued $220 million to 94 projects. For the post program, they issued $3.9 million in credits to 20 projects. The previous record was also in 2012 with $703,000 in credits to 4 projects.
In addition, the ESD processed 186 initial applications for the film production credit and 70 applications for the post production credit in 2014 (a grand total of 256 applications). This exceeds the previous record of 244 initial applications processed in 2013.
To learn more about the New York State Production, Post Production and VFX Tax Incentives, please download this form http://www.postnewyork.org/PNYA-tax-brochure.pdf and/or go to http://www.postnewyork.org/tax.htm.
Empire State Development (ESD) has announced that Harbor Sound, a postproduction company specializing in sound finishing services for feature films and television shows, will establish a new multi-million dollar studio location and increase its operations at its headquarters in downtown Manhattan, resulting in the retention of 30 existing jobs and the creation of 35 new jobs in New York. The new location, which includes space for the largest theatrical sound mixing studio in New York City and several editorial suites, will be located in SoHo. The project, which the company anticipates completing by next spring, represents the most significant expansion of a post company since the Post-Production Tax Credit Program was strengthened in 2012.
"Thanks to Governor Cuomo's efforts to strengthen and enhance the State's Film Tax Credit Program, New York has become a top destination for both production and postproduction work that contribute significantly to our economy and generate employment opportunities for thousands of New Yorkers," said ESD president, CEO and commissioner Kenneth Adams. "From dynamic locations to state-of-the-art production facilities, the Empire State has the talent and resources needed to support the film and television industry, and Harbor Sound's expansion is yet another example of the industry's continued growth."
Harbor Sound is the sound post division of Harbor Picture Company which offers, dailies, offline editorial, VFX, picture post, sound post and digital deliverables. Founded by and for content creators, Harbor occupies 50,000 square feet in Soho, NY offering boutique-level artistry supported by industrial strength technical infrastructure and engineering to the feature film, television and commercial industry.
"The construction of the largest mixing studio in New York City will provide a significant boost for the industry and the state, creating an unprecedented home for more tentpole projects that are attracted to New York by its talent base but require this kind of advanced infrastructure, " said Harbor's president, Zachary Tucker. "With larger productions choosing to complete the postproduction process in New York, a significant number of artistic, technical and management jobs will become available in the city, further increasing the professional capital of New York's entertainment industry and helping to secure its status as not just a viable competitor, but a preferred alternative to Hollywood."
To encourage Harbor Sound to increase employment at its headquarters in Manhattan, ESD has offered $550,000 in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program Tax Credits, which are tied directly to the creation of 35 new jobs. Before deciding to move forward with the expansion of its studio operations in New York, the company considered Georgia and California.
This new mix stage is estimated to be open in the late summer of 2015.
(Article quoted from BTL News)
The Producer's Guild of America hosted the first east coast Produced By Conference in New York in October 2014. The PNYA sponsored this successful event and attended several of the seminars. At our table, we provided detailed information regarding the production, post production and VFX tax incentives in New York State. This event, hosted by HBO and Time Warner, was attended by over 350 leading film, television and digital producers. It was a full day of extraordinary networking, sessions and panels. This is the only event in the world where the most influential decision-makers in the entertainment industry — producers — gather in one place to talk about every facet of the entertainment business. To learn more and see photos, go to http://producedbyconference.com/ny2014/. To learn more about the New York state tax incentives please download this form http://www.postnewyork.org/PNYA-tax-brochure.pdf and/or go to http://www.postnewyork.org/tax.htm.
Adding Workflow Innovator Significantly Expands Trusted Brand's Service Offerings
Light Iron has reached an agreement to be acquired by Panavision. The acquisition leverages the strengths of the entertainment industry's most respected designer, manufacturer and rental provider of high precision camera systems with the leader in digital workflow solutions, to offer turnkey technology solutions from pre-production through delivery.
With facilities in Manhattan and Hollywood, Light Ironwill operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Panavision, maintaining its executive leadership and talent. Light Iron's popular OUTPOST Mobile Post Systems will be available at Panavision New York and throughout their worldwide network.
"This acquisition is an opportunity to leverage the strength and innovation of the Panavision brand with the entrepreneurial spirit of Light Iron," says Kim Snyder, CEO and President of Panavision. "By joining forces, we can better serve our clients, providing a full portfolio of creative choices and an efficient, seamless experience."
Michael Cioni, CEO of Light Iron, remarks that Panavision is an ideal partner to extend Light Iron's international reach. "A long-standing commitment to quality and client service has made Panavision one of the most trusted brands in the world. The fusion of our two companies, and the creation of new optimized tools, will mark the beginning of a new era in digital acquisition and delivery on a global scale."
Light Iron was founded in Los Angeles in 2009 by brothers Michael Cioni and Peter Cioni, along with a core team of experts. Embracing emerging digital tools for content creation from its very beginning, the company has grown into a leading provider of mobile dailies, archival services, offline editorial rental, finishing and delivery. Through both their suite of OUTPOST systems and premium DI services, Light Iron supports high-resolution 6K acquisition formats and UHD delivery.
"Panavision and Light Iron are dedicated to providing clients the innovation they need to succeed at the intersection of art and science," adds Snyder. "Together, we are poised to offer creative clients a deeper and more progressive level of support and services across all market segments. This union uniquely positions us both to serve the industry through collaboration, advanced engineering and optimized services – all over the world."
The Molecule is thrilled to be a part of the team that produced this year's Golden Globe Winner for Best TV Drama Series. This psychological and emotional drama portrays the different points of view of two lovers having an affair in Montauk. The Molecule was tasked with adding CG trains at the LIRR station, comping all driving and train interior shots, changing several scenes from summer to winter, and even adding a suicidal man jumping off a building. It was a pleasure for this VFX team to collaborate closely with production and help craft this world where Showtime's newest drama takes place. They cannot wait to see where Sarah Treem and the writers will take us next season.
Technicolor-PostWorks New York has appointed former Kodak executive Robert Mastronardi to the post of Senior Vice President, Feature Sales. In his new role, Mastronardi will focus on expanding the facility's ties to studios and independent producers, and growing its footprint in feature film post-production. He assumed his new post on January 2, 2015.
A 30-year industry veteran, Mastronardi brings broad experience in motion picture and television production and post-production, and longstanding relationships throughout the industry. "Bob enjoys tremendous respect for his knowledge, insight and integrity," said Technicolor-PostWorks COO Rob DeMartin. "He will be a great asset to our clients in planning for post production, taking advantage of new technologies, capitalizing on tax incentive programs, and much more. We are excited to have him as part of our team."
Mastronardi's tenure with Kodak began in 1992 and encompassed a variety of senior sales and management roles. Most recently, he directed sales, marketing and technical support for the company on the East Coast and in the Midwest. In an earlier role, he developed global marketing strategies and managed new product launches, including the introduction of Kodak's innovative VISION3 product line.
His background includes work with studios, film and television producers, film laboratories, post production facilities, film schools and industry organizations. "I have been fortunate in my career to have touched so many areas of the film and television industry," he said. "As a result, I've grown to understand the steps needed to see a project through to its completion."
Mastronardi got his start with DuArt Film Lab, New York, where he oversaw the production of deliverables for feature films, television, documentaries and other products. Active in a variety of industry organizations, he has been an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers since 2005.
Regarding his new role with Technicolor-PostWorks, Mastronardi said that he was impressed with the scope of the facility's resources and believes that it is well positioned to capitalize on growing demand for post-production services in New York and beyond. "I'm excited to get started," he said. "It's a great opportunity to take my career to the next level. I've got a whole new bag of tricks and I look forward to offering those services to my clients."
Technicolor-PostWorks provides picture and sound post-production services for feature films, documentaries, television shows, commercials and other media. Recent feature credits include these Golden Globe nominated films - Into the Woods, St. Vincent, The Judge, and The Hundred-Foot Journey.
Buttons NY recently recorded Robert Redford for the NRDC, Hugh Jackman for Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl and Willen Defoe ADR for John Wick. Buttons also handled all sound and 4K picture editorial and color post for the independent film, Beautiful Garden.
Partners Jason Harris and Peter Pamela Rose (ADR Loop Group Coordinators) are honored to have provided the Loop Group on the following NY Television Series and Films: FX's The Americans, Showtime's The Affair, USA's Sirens, Amazon's Mozart In the Jungle, Fox Searchlight's The Drop, New Regency's True Story, TWC's The Giver and Warner Brothers' Run All Night. Other active projects include: 12 Monkeys for the SyFy Channel.
Contact: Jason Harris, jason@TheLoopingDivision.com, 917-405-5101 or Peter Pamela Rose, peter@TheLoopingDivision.com, 917-721-3395
Dann Fink & Bruce Winant (ADR Loop Group Coordinators) - are thrilled to be a part of the team on the Sundance pick Ten Thousand Saints, by Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini. Congratulations to our current awards winners and contenders: Still Alice, Top Five, Into the Woods, Foxcatcher, Rosewater. Other recently completed projects: Woody Allen Summer Project, A Walk in the Woods, The Great Gilly Hopkins, The Final Girls, Stockholm Pennsylvania, Anton Corbjin's Life, Stealing Cars. TV: Bessie (HBO), The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Boardwalk Empire Season 5, Nurse Jackie Season 7, Happy-ish, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II, NBC's The Slap, HBO's Codes of Conduct.
Contact: Dann Fink, dannfink@gmail.com.
PNYA Member Kerry Fulton produced the recent VOD release on "Ana and I", a feature documentary directed by Primavera Ruiz. The film is available to stream globally at http://www.seedandspark.com/cinema/ana-y-yo.
The Story: Primavera asks forbidden questions about her childhood over the course of four years, encouraging her adoptive sisters to travel with her to Equatorial Guinea in a search for understanding.
The Crew: Produced by Kerry Fulton. Co-Produced by Janne Niskala(Vaski Filmi), Edited by Mervi Junkkonen, Music by Ale Marti, Music produced by Sausalito Music, Sound Design by Sami Kiiski, DP's Karola Ritter and Rita Noriega, Sound Recordists Alex Bordanova and Alfonso Corral Lopez.
Filmmaker Jon Bowermaster faced with innumerable physical and technological challenges due to the harsh conditions of the frigid continent while filming Antarctica: On The Edge 3D, a film for IMAX theatres. In order to minimize potential sound problems, and issues with cameras freezing and lenses cracking, the filmmaker decided to film completely M.O.S. As he has worked with Jacques Boulanger, sound supervisor, for many years, it was Jacques' welcomed challenge to recreate realistic sounds in post.
During the 2.5 years that spanned from the initial concept to the post production phase, Jacques used every opportunity to record sound that could be used in post to recreate realistic sounds for the frozen continent. To help him do that, Boulanger and partner (and PNYA Member), Holly Grace acquired a Soundfield ST-450 microphone from TSL products.
From recording his footsteps in knee deep snow, to breaking ice while kayaking frozen sections of the Hudson River in NY state, and capturing howling winds on top of Gunks Ridge in the Shawangunk Mountains, Boulanger used the TSL Soundfield ST-450 microphone to acquire realistic, fully 3-dimensional sounds that could be used in a variety of mixing environments, from stereo to 5.1, 7.1, and beyond.
The end result yielded a soundtrack that was compelling, realistic and elevated the project in a way that could not have been accomplished had it not been for his recordings and detailed, realistic sound design carefully crafted in his 7.1 suite located in the Radio Wave Building in Manhattan.
Happily, this film won for Best Exploration and Adventure Film at the Blue Ocean Film Festival (a unique film festival that sets itself apart as being the top cinematic works for ocean conservation and awareness).
New PNYA Members Leslie Shatz, sound designer and re-recording mixer, and Lauren Ritchie, VFX producer, recently relocated their family from LA to NY. Shatz's extensive credits include recent work on Triple 9, True Detective, Beyond the Lights, Still Alice, and 12 Years A Slave. He recently was nominated for a CAS award for Game Change for Best Sound in a Television show or Mini-Series. Ritchie's extensive credits include recent work on Selma, 22 Jump Street, 12 Years A Slave, Old Boy, and Killing Them Softly. We welcome this powerhouse couple to New York!
For more information on the NY State Tax Incentive Program or to sign up for the NY Loves Film newsletter, please visit www.nylovesfilm.com.
Congratulations to our PNYA members who worked on the following films that will screen at the Sundance Film Festival!
