"Firelight" and "Get Out"- A Study In Versatility

Anyone who is familiar with the Lonely Island's homemade video origins has to acknowledge they've come a long way. While the genius was always there, the production value and look of their work continually improves, thanks to a hand from Saturday Night Live and, a dash of Rosey Media and friends. With epic hits like 'Dick in a Box',"Iran so Far,""On A Boat," and "MotherLover" under their belts, one might even wonder if "The Dudes" have lost touch with their backyard video roots. The last two Digital Shorts, however, have proven that Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg, and Jorma Taccone can still play- and deliver the funny- in any format.

Thursday and Friday, November the 5th and 6th, the Lonely Island were in full-on filmmaking form. Over a nearly continuous two-day shoot, the guys turned out "Firelight," a spoof on the popular teen-sexy vampire book/movie series "Twilight." Not satisfied to simply toss out a parody, director Akiva Schaffer and director of photography Aaron Phillips insisted on recreating the upcoming film's trailer shot by shot. "Firelight" stars the wonderfully charming and talented Taylor Swift, as well as SNL cast members Bill Hader,Jason Sudeikis, Kenan Thompson and Andy Samberg. Also appearing are SNL featured players BobbyMoynihan, Abby Elliott, Nasir Pedrad and Jenny Slate. The result:

To match the trailer's dynamic, cinematic look, the piece was shot entirely on the Red One camera. Rosey Media assembled a stalwart Red crew to deliver movie magic at a TV pace, shooting everywhere from 30 Rock to the gloomy, gothic woods of the Van Cortland Park golf course in the Bronx (which is lovely- really!) Thanks to AC Jason Vandermer and Red Tech Nate Slevin for making this state-of-the-art camera sing, Dolly crew Stian Nilsen and Brad for providing the muscle in a graceful way, Sergei Franklin for the Steadicam stylings, sound wizard Dan Walter for the ear candy, and Brian Townes for keeping it all moving. Thanks also to Dina Moles, Rachael Lynn, and Kim Smelter.

Just when you'd think they'd gone all Hollywood, the following week found the Digital Short team back to their run n' gun roots. Director Akiva Schaffer, cast members Andy Samberg and Fred Armisen, director of photography John Rosenblatt, and a rested-up Dan Walter and Brian Townes were joined by our favorite prop goddess Jeannine Jones. This crew, once again under the watchful eyes and helpful hands of Dina, Rachael, and Kim ran a late-night sprint around 30 Rock, and into the apartment of a couple of only slightly suspecting acquaintances off of Madison Ave. Again, funny was made, but this time with a very mobile camera, streamlined sound gear and. . . a can.

Dig:

Once again, the Lonely Island proves that, large or small scale, they can still bring it. And we at Rosey Media are proud to be a part of what's been broughten.

Rule Of Thumb: One Trick Does Not A Magic Show Make

On the evening of October the 8th, Rosey Media was tapped to assist SNL favorite Drew Barrymore and cast member Fred Armisen film the Digital Short "Brenda & Shaun." Leave it to The Lonely Island Dudes to take a single prop from a midtown magic store and turn it into an epic infomercial relaying the somewhat tragic ballad of a couple of cut-rate magicians. The shoot, which stretched into the subsequent day, was directed by Akiva Shaffer, and also featured SNL cast members Andy Samberg and Kenan Thompson, as well as featured players Abby Elliott, Bobby Moynihan, Nasim Pedrad, and Jenny Slate.

Let it light up your life:

Lonely Island + Rosey Media +SNL = 2x The Megan Fox

Sometimes, after an extended vacation, it takes a while to get back up to speed at the office. Unless, of course, you're the Lonely Island, who came back swinging with not one, but TWO Digital Shorts for the September 26th, 2009 35th Season Premiere of Saturday Night Live.

Thursday night found Director of Photography John Rosenblatt and cameraman John Belinski, as well as SoundMeister Dan Walter, Brian Townes, and trusty Rosey Intern Pat Ball on the rooftop Tuscanini Gardens at 30 Rock, filming what we thought was THE Digital Short for the show. It starred host Megan Fox, who, in addition to being a certified bombshell, was also flawlessly poised and on point throughout, as well as SNL cast member and straight-up trooper Will Forte. Co-Directors Akiva Schaffer and John Solomon crafted what would eventually be dubbed "The Date":

Once we were done (at 4:30am...), we said our farewells and headed toward our respective homes and /or late night pancake binges. Friday dawned, and we were busy at work when, lo and behold, we got a second call from Producer Dina Moles. Seemed The Dudes had yet another idea, and midnight found us at the nearby Flatotel on 52nd street, once again in the presence of the stunning Ms. Fox, as well as SNL cast members Andy Samberg and Bobby Moynihan, and a charming and good-humored Brian Austin Green. Akiva directed the second short of the week, "Megan's Roommate":

It was with great pride, and just a touch of "jet"lag, that we watched BOTH shorts air on the season premiere Saturday. Truly, two shorts, and night shoots at that,in less than 48 hours left us a bit disoriented and punchy- and made one thing abundantly clear:

It's good to be back at SNL.

For Your Consideration : "AllaKattan!" Parts 1-3

For the first time ever (since two weeks ago, we mean, when it was on TV) courtesy of our friends at IFC and the New Palm Pre, the Rosey Media original, 3-part, branded entertainment short "AllaKattan!" directed by John Rosenblatt, written by Brian Townes, and starring. . . Chris Kattan.

Dig it:

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Also appearing in "AllaKattan:" Thomas Walker [Coffee Guy], Michael Quinlan [Banker], Nosheen [Beautiful Girl], Jamie Benge [Goldfarb], and Uprinda Panicker [Mysterious Pretzel Vendor]

Check our July 30th, 2009 Blog entry entitled (you may find this shocking, but. . .) "AllaKattan!" for a complete list of those to whom we owe thanks.

With heartfelt gratitude and glee, we say again. . .

Kattan. Kat-TAYUN!!

Bollywood Hero: 'AllaKattan!' part 1

Checkout Bollywood Hero: "AllaKattan" Part 1! Hot Off The Presses! Still glowing from its premiere last night! Dig it:

Part 2 Drops Tonight, during Bollywood Hero Part 2, 10pm EST on IFC!

"AllaKattan!"

Three weeks ago, we were settling into the City swelter,and considering how potentially combustible a bbq grill propane tank that had been neglected for 6 months could really be.

Then IFC VP of On Air Promos Kevin Vitale called and commissioned Rosey Media to produce three branded entertainment spots for the new Palm Pre, to premiere in conjunction with IFC's original miniseries "Bollywood Hero." Our directive was simple-- they would star Chris Kattan, feature the Palm Pre. . . and be funny. Oh- and they had to be done in three weeks... So we put away the Kingsford, fired up the ol' coffee maker instead, and got to work.

The result was a three-part short titled "AllaKattan!", which will run August 6th- 8th on IFC during "Bollywood Hero." The short stars Chris Kattan. Look closely and you'll catch cameos by RM's own Brian Townes and Dan Walter. The short was directed by John Rosenblatt and written by Brian Townes. ScriptLaunch's Matthew Ballen helped develop the piece and served as script consultant. Rosey Media vet and all around super guy Ari Haberberg was Director of Photography, with special technical consult by Small Media XL's Don Downie.

Thanks are also due to the IFC team, specifically Kevin Vitale, Jessica Degler, and of course Evan Shapiro, without whose enthusiasm, flexibility, and general willingness to goof around with us, "AllaKattan!" would not have happened.

For Rosey Media, the best part of any job is "getting the old gang together." They are too numerous to list, but. . . no. . .no, they're not. Thanks to Ian Woolston-Smith and AC Jared Royball for the Steadicam work, Scott Herriott for serving as first unit AC, Dan Walter for delivering superior audio despite the MePa construction madness, Karim Badwan and his crew for gorgeous lighting in sunny- no, cloudy- no, wait- sunny- conditions, and script super Stacie Capone for making it all make sense. Likewise, our gratitude to prop goddesses Samantha and Becky Jones, wardrobe deity Brian Hemesath, and make up legend Nathan Johnson and hair stylist Johnny Mooi, both taking a break from high fashion to do some lowbrow funny. Finally thanks to Dan Barman and Melodye Brant for being whatever else we needed, whenever we needed it, and of course, the incomparable, ever-poised and efficient Meghan Scibona for being the Krazy Glue to our plastic Nimitz.

We would be negligent not to mention the folks at Northern Lights Post, specifically George Carty, whose proficiency and patience made the edit process a genuine pleasure. The espresso/ ice cream floats didn't hurt either. Two of those, and you can see into the future. Bless you, St. George.

Here's a quick peek at "Bollywood Hero:" Obviously, we can't show you "AllaKattan!" yet. Think of it like the holidays-- you know those boxes are up in the closet, but do you really want to look and ruin everything? OK, so you want to, but you're not gonna. We'll have "AllaKattan!" here in all its glory after its premiere on IFC.

First watch "Bollywood Hero." Or Babu Santa will pass right over this house, buddy.

If Lovin' Mom Is Wrong. . . We Ain't Right.

Just shy of 17 months ago (centuries in Interweb Time), three viral virtuosos from LA who call themselves the Lonely Island joined one of the biggest names in the pop music pantheon and made TV/ Internet history with a little ditty about a Special Christmas Box, and the junk one puts in it. And we, the humble working joes of Rosey Media were there to help. In the tidal wave of press that followed, several of a nation of pundits referred to the moment as "catching lightning in a bottle."

As of last Saturday, May 9th, 2009-- Saturday Night Live is gonna need a bigger bottle:

Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg resurrect their roles as some guys we probably would have wanted to be around 1991-- and with Susan Sarandon and Patricia Clarkson appearing as the objects of their affection, we find their waist-length, double-breasted pastel suits enviable once again.

The Short was directed by Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, with Rosey Media's John Rosenblatt acting as Director of Photography. Steadicam work was provided by Ian Woolston-Smith and AC Rob Lau, with audio guru Dan Walter and Brian Townes rounding out the RM crew.

The 20 hour shoot ran like a well-oiled machine thanks to the only slightly intimidating determination of Kim Smelter and Rachel Lynn, under the wise guidance of the ever-so-subtly droll Nick Mallardi. Kudos as well to the extremely agile intern Chris (sorry, dude. . . last name next time, we promise). . . and Joe Lynn, who was. . . pretty OK too.

Rosey Media would like to thank SNL and the Dudes for having us along on the "second best idea that [they've] ever had"-- though we think this one may even go beyond the "Box."