The WGA Strike- Our Thoughts

As members of the entertainment industry, and regular contributors to WGA scripted programming, Rosey Media has been among the many impacted by the current writer's strike. It would be less than honest to say we're excited about the strike. We're not. Several of our major clients are down for the count. We understand, however, what has brought the members of the WGA to the table. These negotiations, and arguably, the resultant strike, are not only necessary- they are an inevitability. Clearly, digital and internet distribution is no longer a sideline or broom closet experimental division of the major networks and studios. Rather, it has cemented itself as a staple, and is rapidly approaching flagship status. If this is where the industry is headed, it seems only reasonable that all parties involved in the creation of content to be used in this medium have defined responsibilities and benefits, just as they do in previously existing mediums. Internet programming is a viable marketing platform, and therefore comparable to other traditional mediums where it is considered fair that writers be compensated for their contributions. While the network and studio position that all revenue generated at this time is only going to repay investors for building the existing infrastructure is understandable, it does not excuse them from showing the same regard to their employees as they would in any other venture. No new business hires a staff and waits to pay its employees until it has broken even on its start up costs. Despite the logic of their position, we anticipate a long strike. It seems, however, that the network and studio hesitancy to grant the WGA the requested contracts only gives credence to the union position that there is quite a bit of money somewhere... And while neither of the involved parties are poverty stricken, their negotiation is necessary to set precedent for those who, years from now, could end up grossly exploited in a predominantly digital market. Having said all that, we urge both sides to stop the bitching, sit down and hammer out a deal!

Bringin' The Ol' Jihad To SNL - Mockin' 'Moud With "Iran"

Mockin' 'Moud! Well, just a little. But certainly making a splash with what may well be the next SNL Digital Short viral phenomenon. See, we shot this "Dick In A Box" thing for SNL last Christmas which by now everyone near electricity has heard of. So how do you top it? For the Saturday, September 29th, 2007 SNL show, the damn-near-genius writing/performing Lonely Island trio of Andy Samberg, Akiva Shaffer, and Jorma Taccone scripted a soul-stirring love ballad dedicated to Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on the heels of his controversial visit to NYC. They then called in dreamy pop megastar Adam Levine of Maroon 5 (Yeah, like you don't have "Songs About Jane" hidden in your iTunes somewhere) and the ever-funny Fred Armisen. The Rosey Media gang was brought in to make their vision of a monumental love song come to life. Steadicam ace Ian Woolston-Smith, under the direction of D.P. John Rosenblatt gave the video a sweeping, epic quality, truly capturing the grandeur of locations such as the Williamsburg Bridge, 30 Rock's "Top Of The Rock" observation deck, and the hidden, off limits, yet stunning 30 Rock 12th floor "Tuscanini Gardens" at NBC. And speaking of the Williamsburg Bridge and Times Square- those shots were partially courtesy of Mike Derrig at Kennedy Trucking, who supplied a monster flatbed semi, which the uber-capable set builders of Stiegelbaum Associates tricked out with custom fittings and harnesses for crew, talent, and oh,yeah. . . the frickin' grand piano strapped to the back! Just a little digital video shoot. Really... Question is. . . what's next? With the video having scored around 1 million views in its first handful of days on the web, it may well be on it's way to Box-like infamy. In which case, it too will have to be topped. Whatever the call is, count Rosey Media in. After all, how often do you get to truck-surf on the Williamsburg Bridge and in Times Square- with one of the biggest names in music, the funniest guys on TV, and a half million in camera gear? That is what we call fun. Special thanks to Don Downie, who had to drive along behind. Dammit. Next time. Really Don. We promise. Check the video out at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=A9OfNrxt5Q4

MacDamn Right We Shot It!

Starting as a fairly direct parody of ABC's improvising mechanical genius and action hero MacGyver, the Macgruber character played by Will Forte made a second appearance last season on SNL as a progressively worsening alcoholic, loosely poking at a certain other preposterous quasi-kid's show action hero whose home drunkenness hit the internet in a video shot by his own daughter (David Hasslehoff. . . seriously. . . where have you been??) On Saturday, October 6th, MacGruber was back for a third round, this time as a mess of mid-life crisis and plastic surgery gone bad. Director Jorma Taccone, cast members Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, guest host Seth Rogan, and. . . you guessed it (or if you haven't by this point, just quit. . . yer droolin' on the keyboard...) ROSEY MEDIA!!! Perps in question were DP John Rosenblatt, RM Sound Guy Dan Walter, and the ever-present-and-even-occasionally-useful Brian Townes. Special thanks go to all of the folks at NBC who weren't even the least bit phased when, post-MacGruber, we blew some stuff up. And filmed it. Really. . . but as much fun as that was, since the sketch didn't air this past show, we'll have to save that story for another time.

Rosey Media and Firebrand TV- Internet Innovation

As individuals and a company, we pride ourselves on staying abreast of the latest developments in multi-platform content, and keep our edge through continued personal drive and interest in understanding this exciting medium. Thus, when we received a call from Firebrand's Ellen Davis, with an offer to create an interactive commerical for Firebrand TV.com, we were more than willing to go play. Firebrand TV is a soon-to-be-launched website, television network, and mobile internet service which features continuous, streaming content of the most creative commercials. Only comercials. No joke. All commericals. To promote the launch of this network, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder Roman Vinoly and Davis brought on Chris Dealy and Greg Erdelyi of the maverick ad firm Splick 13. Each of these guys are responsible for some of the biggest campaign concepts in recent history. After this dynamic duo offered their spin on how to get the word out about the site, Davis contacted Rosey Media to make their virtual "website construction site" a reality. On September 6th and 7th, RM crew moved into NEP Studios courtesy of Barry Katz. With the help of Mac genius Yan Schvalb, AC Don Downie, RM Sound Tech Dan Walter, and a host of support staff from NEP and Firebrand, as well as some serious bells and whistles, RM shot the promo using the Panasonic HDX 900, providing not only live HD monitoring, but also direct importation to hard drive (Final Cut) as well as traditional digital tape. The end result was an efficient shoot culminating in footage in a ready to edit format. The promo is currently airing at: www.firebrandtv.com

Rosey Media- Bringing Scary Back

Hey, kids. . . you like scary movies? We do. Which is why when producer Angie Freeman and her brother Jack approached us with their script for the suspense thriller short film "Abberration," we jumped at the chance to create the spooky, atmospheric world of horror and psychological intrigue these two cherubic South Carolinians had envisioned. We all proceeded to lock ourselves in a rented Upper West Side apartment for the better part of a week. If that isn't scary enough, we shot the film while we were there, too. The final product is appropriately claustrophobic and creepy. The lighting's funky, the camera work's cool. . . and, oh yeah. . . there were some actors in it,too. Seriously, we cannot say enough about the professionalism, patience (while some artsy crew guys endlessly tweeked camera and lighting gear,) and committed performances of the cast. We will keep you posted on when and where the film will be screening.

PJ Inc. Kicks Ass. . . Rosey Media Films It!

So as to follow proper journalistic procedure and not bury the lead: July 12th and 13th, Rosey Media shot a, webisode format piece for and starring the high powered PR firm, PJ Inc. The piece was written, directed, and produced entirely by Rosey Media. It's development was a two month collaborative process between RM and PJ Inc., and it will hit their website, and ours, in the next couple of weeks. And now, the shameless plug: (We can't help it. We're fans.) The staff at PJ Inc. just straight up kicks ass. They are a high octane PR firm, dealing with Fortune 500 clients, with a myriad of winning campaigns to their credit, including the incredibly successful Vegas.com phenomenon. And they're NICE! And FUN! And CREATIVE! The firm's fearless leader is a force of nature by the name of Pamela Johnston, whose ability to multitask is stunning. Her no-nonsense manner is amazing to watch, and her presence commands such respect as to border on Jedi mind control. Extra-terrestrial or not, she was a pleasure to work with, and kept everyone focused and on task throughout two long shoot days. We would also be remiss were we not to mention Gabrielle (Gabi, Gabs, Larry) Rubin, who was our liason, our rock, and is the focus of our newly formed secret cult-like fan club in the back closet at Rosey Media. She's funny, she's quick. . . bottom line, if you don't have a Gabi- get one! Shout outs are also in order to our crew: soundman Dan Walter, AC Don Downie, and Wavetek's Karim Badwan and Paul Jones. At Rosey Media, we pride ourselves on being able to make art in the trenches, deadline looming. It's a refreshing departure, however, to have the time and space to create content from conception to completion. Further, we are grateful to have had the opportunity to do so with such terrific people. Look for the video here soon!

Making the Video...

Chicago, Chicago. A massive, beautiful city with a thriving arts community. Rosey Media has more than a few ties to this Midwestern metropolis, including a 2006 collaboration with TMK Productions Executive Producer Ted Kay on the Memory Bridge Alzheimer's and Cultural Memory Foundation documentary "There Is A Bridge," which premiered this month on PBS affiliates all over the U.S. Following the successful collaboration, Mr. Kay once again extended an invite to Rosey Media, this time to create and shoot a music video for the incredibly talented singer songwriter Emily. As charming in person as her warm and magnetic on-camera persona, this 14 year old pop prodigy is well on her way to stardom. . . and hopelessly destroying the hearts of adolescent boys everywhere. Add all this wholesome goodness to the Chi-town jazz scene and it's little wonder that Rosey Media's head honcho, resident Director of Photography, and avid musician (though don't tell him we said so publicly) John "Rosey" Rosenblatt accepted the offer and headed down for a three day stint in the Windy City this past June. The shoot, culminated in a music video which you can now catch on YouTube or via Emily's own MySpace page at www.myspace.com/emilyrecordingstar Rosey had a great time, thanks to the diligent work of the Chicago Crew and the ever intrepid Mr. Ted Kay. For the rest of us back at RM in NYC, we can at least say we knew Emily, like, WAY before she was, like, famous and stuff, and now we are Soooooo BFF.TTYL.