Sundance – universal positive

Stacy Peralta: Thanks for the documentary

May 10, 2024May 27, 2014 by Roger Darnell

I have expressed my appreciation in the past for LJ Jeneski of Nonfiction Unlimited, the LA-based commercial production company that since 1995 has been built upon the idea of exclusively representing the planet’s best documentary filmmakers for commercial and creative assignments. We worked together over the period that launched us all into a very busy 2007, and I feel we accomplished a lot together. At that time, the company’s elite roster included directors Rob Bindler, Paul Crowder, Steve James, Robby Kenner, Barbara Kopple, David McNamara, Stacy Peralta, Earle Sebastian, Ondi Timoner and Jessica Yu. It was my introduction to most of these incredible talents, and through the process of updating bios and promoting their newest projects, I got to know many of them pretty well.

Among my early assignments was touching-up an already stellar bio for Mr. Peralta. Here’s a snip from that writing amalgam I can only take a little credit for.

So far, the life of award-winning documentary filmmaker, accomplished television producer/director and Nonfiction Spots commercial director Stacy Peralta is literally a Hollywood movie – or more precisely, several of them.

Steve James: Thanks for the documentaries

May 9, 2024January 16, 2014 by Roger Darnell

Once again this year, the pre-Sundance buzz is headline news worldwide, with The Daily Telegraph asking if, at age 30, the renowned festival still has its edge. There and in widespread coverage, the latest news from filmmaker Steve James leads the way. Steve’s new Kartemquin Films feature documentary “Life Itself” executive produced by Martin Scorsese will have its world premiere at this year’s festival, and he will also be honored during a 20th anniversary Sundance screening set for “Hoop Dreams,” his very first film, which is also one of history’s highest-grossing and most-acclaimed documentaries. Steve continues breaking new ground as a director and I am definitely a huge fan. I also have much love, respect and admiration for Loretta “LJ” Jeneski of Nonfiction Unlimited, the LA-based commercial production company that has represented Steve and many of the planet’s best documentary filmmakers for commercial and creative assignments since 1995.

Doug Pray: Thanks for the Documentaries

May 9, 2024April 2, 2013 by Roger Darnell

Award-winning documentary filmmaker Doug Pray‘s exuberant portraits of subcultures and maverick individuals have led him to three Sundance premieres, critical raves, numerous awards, and worldwide distribution.

Cinema’s Past, Future and Present

May 9, 2024January 14, 2013 by Roger Darnell

The film industry’s creative and business sectors are at an intersection of great possibility, and new tools and practices are emerging every day. To guide industry leaders and filmmakers and to help creatively tackle the challenges of this evolving industry, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts has recently launched the Cinema Research Institute.

Laura Longsworth: Thanks for the Documentary

April 5, 2024February 18, 2010 by Roger Darnell

Thanks once again to Sundance Channel, I recently had another life-altering experience from a documentary film they chose to program. This time, the film is entitled “Luckey,” it was produced, written and directed by filmmaker Laura Longsworth, and it documents the challenges faced by sculptor Tom Luckey to carry on with his life, his artistry and his business after experiencing a major spinal injury.

Kevin McMahon: Thanks for the Documentary

April 3, 2024September 9, 2009 by Roger Darnell

At some point over the past several weeks, my eyes were opened to the global water crisis, but I see now that I’m only beginning to get the full picture. Last week, I posted an entry on Irena Salina’s “FLOW,” and last night, my wife and I had another chance to see that amazing film thanks to it being repeated on the Sundance Channel. This morning, we found it there again and watched more of it with our 8-year-old daughter. After these viewings, I realized that there was a second powerful film I had recently seen (thanks again to Sundance Channel) on this subject: filmmaker Kevin McMahon’s “WATERLIFE.”

Irena Salina: Thanks for the Documentary

April 3, 2024September 4, 2009 by Roger Darnell

Filmmaker Irena Salina has created an amazingly powerful documentary film entitled “FLOW: For the Love of Water,” which debuted at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and has since won the International Jury Prize at the Mumbai International Film Festival, as well as Best Documentary honors at both the Vail International Film Festival and the United Nations Association Film Festival. Within the past several weeks, I saw the film on the Sundance Channel, and I want to encourage as many people as possible to see it. If interested, you can order the film on DVD by visiting this link.

A ray of hope from Levi’s and Walt Whitman, courtesy of Wieden+Kennedy

April 3, 2024July 29, 2009 by Roger Darnell

Since the world we live in is constantly changing, I guess it’s pretty easy to feel that anything from ‘yesterday’ is irrelevent. I recently read a critique of one of my clients’ latest ad campaigns, where the facets included a couple of really cool and interesting microsites. The critical comment said, “Microsites are so five minutes ago.” It made me think, my how some people love to hear themselves talk, even when their words make no sense. Earlier this month, Wieden+Kennedy Portland launched an arguably fascinating initiative for Levi’s called the GoForth campaign, which features the “America” spot I’ve embedded above.

Case Study: PostWorks

April 2, 2024January 30, 2009 by Roger Darnell

Last updated on Jan. 30, 2009: PostWorks Expands Services, Marketshare and Markets as Leading One-Stop U.S. Post Production Resource

“Strategic Public Relations Campaign Focused Sales and Marketing Efforts, Positioned Unmatched Resources and Commitment to Quality Customer Service”
See also: MEDIA COVERAGE

PostWorks is one of the film and television industry’s most advanced and comprehensive digital motion picture and HD post-production companies. In 2007, PostWorks expanded into Los Angeles, launching the first post-production company designed from the ground up to leverage data-centric and future-looking technologies. PostWorks and its global mobile post-production systems provider Orbit Digital were acquired in 2009 by H.I.G. Capital, a leading Miami-based private equity firm, as an addition to its Telecorps Holdings family of companies, which includes Wexler Video and Coffey Sound.

Executive Summary
During DWA’s five-year tenure as the PR agency of record for PostWorks (2004-2009), a results-oriented public relations campaign was orchestrated with other elements of a proactive marketing plan (authored by DWA), as its industry-leading post-production facilities, talents and capabilities expanded exponentially. Strengthening the company’s presence across the U.S. and internationally within the television and motion picture communities, the campaign also supported the 2005 acquisition of PostWorks: The Lab, the 2006 merger with international mobile post-production services leader Orbit Digital, and its very successful 2007 expansion into Los Angeles.

Marketing Case Study: “The Blair Witch Project”

April 1, 2024June 12, 2006 by Roger Darnell

By Roger Darnell

..Challenge.. From all reports, the feature film (and marketing) phenomenon that is known as “The Blair Witch Project” began with a group of dedicated, talented and resourceful filmmakers who were intent on using every asset at their disposal to make a successful film under their banner of Haxan Films.