Hotrods and Cool Cats at AlphaDogs Post Production

Burbank, CA—Burbank based AlphaDogs Post Production recently completed work on the film Deuce of Spades, a story about a modern day hot rod girl who finds a mysterious letter dating back to the fifties hidden in her roadster that takes her on a journey into the underground scene of fast hotrods and cool cats.

DVD encoding and authoring services were handled by AlphaDogs VP of Design, Sean Williams, using Apple's DVD Studio Pro and Compressor. Williams comments, "Faith's DVD project was one of the larger ones we've tackled. The film's 2-hour-plus running time with 5.1 surround and stereo audio listening options along with the inclusion of behind the scenes documentaries, a director's commentary track and subtitles in 9 different languages really pushed the limits of what the dual-layer (DVD-9) disc could handle. Encoding the HD film at the highest possible SD quality while leaving enough space for the bonus features was one challenge we faced. Fortunately we have developed a lot of tricks over the years for squeezing the best quality out of these situations". Williams who worked closely with Faith to help her prepare her menu designs for the DVD also comments; "Graphic design for DVDs is my favorite part of the process. It is the creative stage where we can really use our talents to make the client happy."

Deuce of Spades is directed, produced and written by Faith Granger. For more information and to purchase a DVD that includes subtitles in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Dutch, and English, visit www.deuceofspadesmovie.com.

For additional information please contact
Julie Leibovitz
(818) 456-4149
Julie(at)alphadogs.tv
www.alphadogs.tv

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About AlphaDogs—Founded in 2002, Burbank-based AlphaDogs, Inc. quickly established themselves as leaders and innovators in the rapidly changing digital post arena. The company maintains an early adopters edge; testing and assimilating leading technologies to keep ahead of the pack with solutions such as the RED camera and were the first post house in Los Angeles to take delivery of the Avid Symphony HD editing system. Personal attention from a seasoned award-winning team assures client satisfaction accompanies each cost-effective delivery of superior post production services—including editing, color correction, 5.1 audio, motion graphics, visual effects, DVDs, media transfers, duplication, production offices, and system rentals with 24/7 tech support.

AlphaDogs is home to the popular Editors' Lounge and headquarters of the growing media transfer specialty service Digital Service Station; now serving California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. AlphaDogs is located at 1612 West Olive, Suite 200, Burbank, CA 91506.

Visit the AlphaDogs team at www.alphadogs.tv.

Rumors of Big Waves at AlphaDogs Post Production

Burbank, CA—Burbank based AlphaDogs Post Production is pleased to announce completion of work on the movie Rumors that will be premiering November 18 at 8:00 p.m. at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach. Rumors is a cinematic journey into Mexico’s deepest surf scene that follows 5 world-renowned individuals on a surfing adventure into some of Mexico’s most remote beaches.

Producer Mark Kronemeyer chose AlphaDogs as their post facility based on their reputation for providing quality work with personalized service. Kronemeyer comments; “The main thing we liked about AlphaDogs was that despite not really knowing anyone there we immediately felt comfortable working with everyone. There are many factors when working on a film such as budgets, deadlines, opinions, etc, but it seemed that the crews' main objective was not just to do business but also help to get the best possible result. We felt like part of a team, instead of just customers, which is really hard to find these days, in any industry.” Kronemeyer continues, “The final delivery was excellent, everything came out how we had visualized it, if not better. We would use AlphaDogs again, it's not often you find a good working environment and achieve excellent results at the same time.”

One of the challenges faced during post was matching footage of roughly 800 shots of assorted waves from around the world. The majority of the massive swells were shot during inclement weather creating a hazy environment. Veteran colorist Brian Hutchings was not only able to match the shots for continuity purposes, but also create a rich color palette conducive to the tropic feel of Mexico. Hutchings comments; “Our goal at AlphaDogs is to save the client money without sacrificing quality. Everyone here enjoys the satisfaction of creating a quality product.”

Finishing Editor Sean Stack provided tech support for the project while also isolating problematic footage and fixing it using a variety of tools. An example Stack gives involved some footage that was recorded incorrectly due to camera issues in production. This resulted in offset fields that gave a jagged edge appearance to the footage. He decided to use de-interlacing filters to successfully repair the shots.

AlphaDogs also provided DVD encoding and authoring services. VP of Design Sean Williams was faced with an extremely tight deadline for delivery to the DVD replication facility, and turned around a completed project in one day. Special emphasis was placed upon getting the best quality standard-definition encoding possible out of the client's HD source material.

The audio mix required that ambiance be created during segments that were only cut to music in offline. Due to a limited budget, this required a lot of creativity from Audio Mixer, Isai Espinoza. Since the filmmakers wanted a surround mix, Espinoza used the Waves 360 plugins to create a 5.1 surround environment and successfully sent the music to the rear channels without creating phase issues from stereo only music tracks. Pro Tools HD/2 and AlphaDogs extensive sound library was used to recreate ocean and beach atmosphere during the breaks between surf footage.

Rumors takes you deep inside Mexico into the world of surfing. Visits to secret spots such as the recently discovered “Lost Point” and many other secret hideaways of surf in the country are explored. For future premiere dates and to check out the trailer, go to www.RumorsTheMovie.com. Copies will also be available for purchase at www.GreenRoomSurf.com. Rumors is Directed by Mark Kronemeyer and Produced by Alistair Calderon & Mark Kronemeyer

For additional information please contact
Julie Leibovitz
(818) 456-4149
Julie(at)alphadogs.tv
www.alphadogs.tv

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About AlphaDogs—Founded in 2002, Burbank-based AlphaDogs, Inc. quickly established themselves as leaders and innovators in the rapidly changing digital post arena. The company maintains an early adopter's edge; testing and assimilating leading technologies to keep ahead of the pack with solutions such as the RED camera and were the first post house in Los Angeles to take delivery of the Avid Symphony HD editing system. Personal attention from a seasoned award-winning team assures client satisfaction accompanies each cost-effective delivery of superior post production services—including editing, color correction, 5.1 audio, motion graphics, visual effects, DVDs, media transfers, duplication, production offices, and system rentals with 24/7 tech support.

AlphaDogs is home to the popular Editors' Lounge and headquarters of the growing media transfer specialty service Digital Service Station; now serving California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. AlphaDogs is located at 1612 West Olive, Suite 200, Burbank, CA 91506.

Visit the AlphaDogs team at www.alphadogs.tv.

AlphaDogs Post Production Battles It Out In New Series For ESPNU

Burbank, CA- Burbank based AlphaDogs Post Production is pleased to announce it has completed work on the new ESPNU series The Battle. Presented by AT&T, the series will air five 30-minute shows during four straight weeks, every Thursday from November 4 to November 25, on ESPNU at 6:30pm EST.

Producer Eric Page faced extreme challenges to meet the deadlines for the show. AlphaDogs was chosen as the post facility based on their experience in providing creative and technical solutions in the fast paced world of television. Page comments; “The team at AlphaDogs is an affable bunch with top rate talent. General Manager, Paul De Cham runs a tight ship while creating an environment that makes you feel confident your production is being handled with care”. Page continues; “We are extremely pleased with the final product and would certainly be up for a second season under their roof. I would definitely take future projects to AlphaDogs. Terence Curren has a talented group and it was a great comfort to know this project was under their care”.

The tight turnaround of less than two weeks per one half hour episode necessitated a streamlined workflow. Since the client had already started editing in Final Cut Pro, the team at Alpha Dogs created a workflow with four Final Cut Pro systems on shared storage working at ProRes HQ so the locked episodes would be ready to send to Color. One of the challenges the post team faced was the wide array of mixed formats and frame rates. The majority of the footage was shot on the RED camera at 23.98-frame rate. In addition, a 7D and 5D were used at varying frame rates including 30P. The final master had to be delivered in 720P 60.

Projects can become corrupt quickly and cause delays if these types of situations are not handled efficiently. Finishing Editor Sean Stack used various proprietary techniques to convert the various footage to a common frame rate. High quality motion compensated techniques were also applied to remove the jitteriness and stuttering that can be caused with such conversions and in turn rejected by the network. Final color correction was achieved in Apple’s Color with veteran colorist Brian Hutchings at the helm. “The great thing about RED footage is the latitude available in post to pull out stunning images,” notes Hutchings.

Re-recording mixer Marcus Pardo utilized a Pro Tools HD2 system, with a plethora of plug-ins. In particular, the Waves Renaissance EQ’s and L2 limiters were used to deliver crisp dialog and a thumping soundtrack that was very important to the subject matter. Also, the Cedar DNS One is a crucial tool in his audio arsenal. With the DNS One, he was able to minimize background noise in real-time, without introducing digital artifacts. “With Pro Tools, Waves and the Cedar DNS One on my side, I can deliver exactly what clients envisioned, sonically”

The Battle is an inside look at the HBCU (Historically Black College and University) marching band world. Created by Music producer, fashion designer and filmmaker Dallas Austin who was also the executive producer and music director of the movie Drumline, the series picks up where the film left off. Band Director Donovan Wells conducts no holds barred military style methods in preparing the bands’ for competition. Bands of over 300 plus are required to learn over twenty songs with dance routines, military style formations and chants in between. The bands’ hard work will culminate at the 31st annual Florida Classic that pits the two Sunshine State rivals in an end-of-the-year showdown at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando Saturday, Nov. 20, at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN Classic.

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About AlphaDogs Founded in 2002, Burbank-based AlphaDogs, Inc. quickly established themselves as leaders and innovators in the rapidly changing digital post arena. The company maintains an early adopters edge; testing and assimilating leading technologies to keep ahead of the pack with solutions such as the RED camera and were the first post house in Los Angeles to take delivery of the Avid Symphony HD editing system. Personal attention from a seasoned award-winning team assures client satisfaction accompanies each cost-effective delivery of superior post production services—including editing, color correction, 5.1 audio, motion graphics, visual effects, DVDs, media transfers, duplication, production offices, and system rentals with 24/7 tech support.

AlphaDogs is home to the popular Editors' Lounge and headquarters of the growing media transfer specialty service Digital Service Station; now serving California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. AlphaDogs is located at 1612 West Olive, Suite 200, Burbank, CA 91506.

Visit the AlphaDogs team on the web: www.alphadogs.tv.

Zombies and Monsters Go Post Mortem at AlphaDogs Post in New Web Series

Burbank, CA—AlphaDogs Post Production recently completed work on FEARnet’s newest web series Post Mortem With Mick Garris. Directed by Perry Martin and hosted by Master Of Horror Mick Garris, the shows focus is on horror films and other genre-related matters.

AlphaDogs Post Production completed the entire post package including color grading, online editing and the audio mix. Director Perry Martin chose AlphaDogs because he was concerned about maintaining broadcast level quality for the web series. Post Mortem is a dialogue intensive show with no music or sound effects to mask any room tone or imperfections during the interviews. Sound Mixer Isai Espinoza used Pro Tools to mix the show and Waves Renaissance Plug-Ins to equalize and compress the dialogue. Some episodes required the Cedar DNS One dialogue noise suppressor to get rid of any excess room noise and hiss. This allowed for a cleaner re-record of the final stems. Martin comments; “Working with AlphaDogs has been a very happy and satisfying experience. The team was a pleasure to work with and did a fantastic job all the way around. The series looks beautiful and sounds great”!

Post Mortem features one on one-celebrity interviews discussing a wide range of horror related topics featuring some of the biggest names in horror. Recent episodes include interviews with Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream), Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Poltergeist), John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog) and Rob Zombie (House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil's Rejects). Full-length episodes currently air on FEARnet on demand with shorter episodes available online. http://www.fearnet.com/shows/post_mortem/index.html

Director Perry Martin has written, produced and directed over 100 “making of” documentaries with many receiving industry awards. Martin coins himself as a “Preditor”- Writer/Producer/Director/Editor. His work on Post Mortem includes everything from beginning to end including the editing of each episode. Jim Burns and Eric Spiegelman produce Post Mortem in conjunction with Jetpack Media and Echo Lake Management.

For additional information please contact Julie Leibovitz at (818) 456-4149, Julie@alphadogs.tv or visit http://www.alphadogs.tv

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About AlphaDogs Founded in 2002, Burbank-based AlphaDogs, Inc. quickly established themselves as leaders and innovators in the rapidly changing digital post arena. The company maintains an early adopters edge; testing and assimilating leading technologies to keep ahead of the pack with solutions such as the RED camera and were the first post house in Los Angeles to take delivery of the Avid Symphony HD editing system. Personal attention from a seasoned award-winning team assures client satisfaction accompanies each cost-effective delivery of superior post production services—including editing, color correction, 5.1 audio, motion graphics, visual effects, DVDs, media transfers, duplication, production offices, and system rentals with 24/7 tech support.

AlphaDogs is home to the popular Editors' Lounge and headquarters of the growing media transfer specialty service Digital Service Station; now serving California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. AlphaDogs is located at 1612 West Olive, Suite 200, Burbank, CA 91506. Visit the AlphaDogs team on the web: www.alphadogs.tv.

K-Ci & JoJo Come Clean at AlphaDogs Post in New Reality Series

Burbank, CA—AlphaDogs Post Production is pleased to announce completion of the new reality show K-Ci and JoJo Come Clean. Completely non-scripted and raw, the nine episode series examines the duo's hard road back to sobriety combining intense medical treatments, physical training, and spiritual therapy. The show airs on TVOne beginning October 19th at 9:00 EST with two back to back episodes.

Executive Producer, Carl Craig chose AlphaDogs post to do the post production on the show due to the tight budget and time constraints. Facilities Manager Paul DeCham comments; “Due to budgetary constraints between the client and the network, this project was a real challenge. But in typical fashion, we were able to both satisfy the client and network with a quality "look" for a very reasonable cost”.

A unique challenge presented itself during post-production when a dead pixel was discovered on one of the cameras used throughout production. All shots from this camera had to be repaired by finishing editor Sean Stack who used a special filter to seamlessly fill in the dead pixel area. Stack comments; “Being able to overcome production challenges in post makes for a rewarding experience as an editor. We kept the client happy and delivered a perfect master on time to the network”. Keeping a consistent and thorough workflow for the audio mix during the short turnaround time was also a challenge. Audio mixer, Isai Espinoza used the Waves Noise Reduction and Cedar DNS One plug-ins to reduce hiss and remove crackling and popping that can be introduced during production. Espinoza comments; “Facing time constraints, the use of Waves compression, equalization, and other tools on a Pro Tools HD2 system allowed me to stay within budgetary guidelines, fix any problems, and deliver a fine polish to the sound”.

In the series, a camera team follows R&B artists K-Ci and JoJo for 30 days beginning at the Prometa Treatment Center where they receive shots 3 times a day to reduce the urge to drink. Based loosely around the AA 12 step program, the show chronicles the determination and strong measures being taken to stay sober. Apologies to babies mamas and a visit to a funeral home to view the sobering reality on where a life of alcoholism can end, are just a few of the realities visited in the series. To assist in their recovery, there will be appearances by Pastor Jamal Bryant, R&B legend Charlie Wilson, actress and celebrity life stylist A.J. Johnson, recording industry mogul André Harrell, and their Jodeci band mate, Devante Swing.

K-Ci and Jo Jo Come Clean is produced by Executive Producer, Carl Craig of Ultra Wave Vision Productions in conjunction with the group’s manager, Damon Jones.

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About AlphaDogs

Founded in 2002, Burbank-based AlphaDogs, Inc. quickly established themselves as leaders and innovators in the rapidly changing digital post arena. The company maintains an early adopters edge; testing and assimilating leading technologies to keep ahead of the pack with solutions such as the RED camera and were the first post house in Los Angeles to take delivery of the Avid Symphony HD editing system. Personal attention from a seasoned award-winning team assures client satisfaction accompanies each cost-effective delivery of superior post production services—including editing, color correction, 5.1 audio, motion graphics, visual effects, DVDs, media transfers, duplication, production offices, and system rentals with 24/7 tech support.

AlphaDogs is home to the popular Editors' Lounge and headquarters of the growing media transfer specialty service Digital Service Station; now serving California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. AlphaDogs is located at 1612 West Olive, Suite 200, Burbank, CA 91506.

Visit the AlphaDogs team on the web: www.alphadogs.tv.

AlphaDogs Attack Extinction of Big Cats in Kenya

Burbank, CA—AlphaDogs Post Production is pleased to announce completion of full post services on the 50-minute docufilm Lion Warriors that will air during National Geographic’s Big Cat Week in December. Produced by Erik and Kire Godal, the programming event is part of The Big Cat Initiative launched by the National Geographic Society, to create global public awareness in preventing extinction of the big cat population in Kenya by the year 2030 - as predicted by experts.

AlphaDogs is proud to have been chosen as the facility to complete the film finishing and audio. In addition, a main title design was created to go along with the theme of the docufilm. Senior Animator Russell Frazier comments; "The idea was to show the lions and Maasai warriors at the same time, but never together. They are in conflict, so a collision course was suggested by having both on the move, but one as a high-contrast element through which we see the other. The intense colors and pacing were guided by Erik Godal's music, that contained location audio of the warriors in action."

Lion Warriors focuses on the conflict between the semi nomadic Maasai tribe and the survival of the lion population in Kenya. The Maasai depend on cattle as their primary source of food and currency. As a patriarchal warrior tribe, it’s customary for young men to hunt a lion as a rite of passage in becoming a warrior. Increased populations in once wild areas, along with recent droughts have also forced the cats to prey on the tribe’s cattle herds. Retaliation is persecution by death to the big cats.

Erik Godal comments. “Education and awareness is going to be the key in changing the culture of the Maasai before the big cat population is wiped out”. To educate the tribe on the financial alternative the MPT (Maasai Land Preservation Trust) also produced an educational film titled We Don’t Kill Lions Anymore (made by Kire Godal) that creates awareness on the reimbursement the tribesmen can receive for any cattle that are killed by lions. Founded by Richard Bonham and Tom Hill, the MPT works in conjunction with Living with Lions, a research and conversation group that works in Kenya’s unprotected areas to save wild lions.

AlphaDogs Post was the Godal’s choice after learning of some notable documentaries the facility had previously worked on. Godal comments, “We were pressed for time and I needed everything done under one roof as efficiently as possible. AlphaDogs provided a professional environment with personable service and delivered a great finished product. Everything I do from here on out will be with AlphaDogs”.

Lion Warriors is produced by the sister and brother team of Erik Godal (Producer, Music Composer) and Kire Godal (Director, Writer, Editor). They divided forces, and made the film in a 5-month window to meet their September 1st deadline for Nat Geo WILD. Original Godal Productions produces ethnographic wildlife films and expects more to come on Lion Warriors. Learn more at erikgodal.com.

For additional information please contact Julie Leibovitz at 818.456.4149 or address an email to Julie(at)alphadogs.tv or visit www.alphadogs.tv

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About AlphaDogs Founded in 2002, Burbank-based AlphaDogs, Inc. quickly established themselves as leaders and innovators in the rapidly changing digital post arena. The company maintains an early adopters' edge; testing and assimilating leading technologies to keep ahead of the pack with solutions such as the RED camera and were the first post house in Los Angeles to take delivery of the Avid Symphony HD editing system. Personal attention from a seasoned award-winning team assures client satisfaction accompanies each cost-effective delivery of superior post production services—including editing, color correction, 5.1 audio, motion graphics, visual effects, DVDs, media transfers, duplication, production offices, and system rentals with 24/7 tech support.

AlphaDogs is home to the popular Editors' Lounge and headquarters of the growing media transfer specialty service Digital Service Station; now serving California, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. AlphaDogs is located at 1612 West Olive, Suite 200, Burbank, CA 91506.

Visit the AlphaDogs team on the web: www.alphadogs.tv.

Alien Abductions at AlphaDogs Post Production

Burbank, CA—Aliens have landed at AlphaDogs Post Production in the new horror film Grey Skies. Written and produced by husband and wife team Stacey Jorgenson and Mark Reilly at Little Engine Films, the story is about a group of friends reuniting at a rural lake cabin. Strange disappearances begin to happen, as they become victims of alien abductions. To learn more visit www.greyskiesmovie.com

Stacy and Mark approached AlphaDogs initially to complete color correction on the film. The duo was so pleased with both the consistency and quality of the work as well as the professionalism of the staff that they decided to post the entire film at the facility. “I came to Alpha Dogs in tears” Jorgenson comments, “The audio had so many problems and we were up against the deadline for our premiere. What seemed like complex problems that couldn’t be fixed in time were simplified and we made our delivery date”.

AlphaDogs worked around the clock to complete the entire audio mix and design. Audio mixer Marcus Pardo utilized a Pro Tools HD2 system, with a plethora of plug-ins. In particular, the Waves Diamond Bundle, Waves 360, Cedar DNS One, and the Waves Dorrough Meter Surround Edition allowed Marcus to keep the final mix entirely in the Pro Tools realm. Pardo comments, "I love the Wave Diamond Bundle for the EQ's and Compression. The Waves 360 has a great sounding 5.1 surround reverb for the sound design elements. Furthermore, I believe that the Cedar DNS One is truly heaven sent, for the way it attacks hissy noisy production dialogue and the ease to automate every setting in Pro Tools”. Shared Terrablock storage integrated the picture and the audio seamlessly expediting the delivery, saving both time and money.

Colorist Brian Hutchings quickly interpreted the vision of the suspense needed for the alien abductions in one of AlphaDog’s finishing suites, that integrates the Tangent 200 panels with Apple’s Color application. Brian’s craftsmanship as a colorist allowed him to augment the story visually giving the images the tension needed to create the eeriness surrounding alien abductions.

“We felt that AlphaDogs was our home away from home during the arduous 15 plus hour days”. Jorgensen said. “AlphaDogs will definitely be my first call for post production on future projects”. Grey Skies has been selected for the Sante Fe Independent Film Festival October 19-29th, 2010. Little Engine Films has 3 films in development and currently securing financing. To learn more visit www.littleenginefilms.com

For additional information please contact Julie Leibovitz at 818.456.4149 or address an email to Julie(at)alphadogs.tv or visit www.alphadogs.tv

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About AlphaDogs Founded in 2002, Burbank-based AlphaDogs, Inc. quickly established themselves as leaders and innovators in the rapidly changing digital post arena. The company maintains an early adopters' edge; testing and assimilating leading technologies to keep ahead of the pack with solutions such as the RED camera and were the first post house in Los Angeles to take delivery of the Avid Symphony HD editing system. Personal attention from a seasoned award-winning team assures client satisfaction accompanies each cost-effective delivery of superior post production services—including editing, color correction, 5.1 audio, motion graphics, visual effects, DVDs, media transfers, duplication, production offices, and system rentals with 24/7 tech support.

AlphaDogs is home to the popular Editors' Lounge and headquarters of the growing media transfer specialty service Digital Service Station; now serving California, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. AlphaDogs is located at 1612 West Olive, Suite 200, Burbank, CA 91506.

Visit the AlphaDogs team on the web: www.alphadogs.tv.