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Burbank, CA—Burbank based AlphaDogs Post has completed post-production services for Google’s annual video titled Zietgeist 2012 Year-In-Review. Airing recently on broadcast television and going viral on the Internet with over 13 million views, Zeitgeist, which means “the spirit of the times” tells the story of 2012 through the eyes of Google Search.
Jenna Ceddici, Head Of Production with LA-based creative agency Whirled, came to AlphaDogs with a late-hour need to finish the video set to air before the end of 2012. To add to the challenge of the tight deadline, key players on the project were traveling for the holidays, or working from offices based in locations other than Los Angeles. For over ten years, AlphaDogs has offered a wide complement of post-production services, from offline facility rentals, color correction and audio mixing to visual effects and motion graphics design. Remaining true to their company motto “Ahead Of The Pack”, AlphaDogs rose to challenge delivering Zeitgeist in a completely virtual environment.
AlphaDogs Editor and Colorist Sean Stack, had his work cut out when it came to color correcting. The year of clips included source footage from a variety of camera types, all with different frame rates, resolution and out-of-the-box look. Before Stack began the color correction process, source clips were converted into a common frame rate and resolution to play in a single timeline. Stack scrutinized each clip carefully, adding just the right amount of contrast and color saturation enhancing the images, while keeping the viewers focused on the subject at hand giving Zeitgeist a consistent look overall. With some clips only being a half-second in length, color played a big role in catching attention of the audience and pulling them in. “Directing the viewer’s attention becomes a critical goal oriented task”, said Stack. "I worked in creating a look with the color that would keep the audience focused, not missing a moment even when the editing pace becomes rapid.”
Review and approval were all done digitally, with Stack sending JPEG screen grabs and low resolution H.264 format QuickTime files via the Internet. Zeitgeist was delivered on time without it being necessary for the clients to visit the facility in person.
Produced by Whirled Creative for the third consecutive year, Zeitgeist 2012 Year-In-Review is directed by the company’s founder Scott Chan. www.getwhirled.com/
Watch Zeitgeist 2012 Year-In-Review by visiting www.google.com/zeitgeist/2012/
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About AlphaDogs: Founded in 2002 by acclaimed editor and colorist Terence Curren, AlphaDogs is an independently owned post-production facility located in the center of Burbank's Media District. AlphaDogs' skilled team brings a dynamic combination of creative talent and technical expertise to clients' projects. Paying extra attention to detail, AlphaDogs prides itself on delivering the quality of a large post-production facility with the personal attention of a small boutique. State-of-the-art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, motion graphics, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. Since 2003, AlphaDogs has been giving back to the post-production community through its Editors' Lounge series of discussion panels and product demonstrations. To learn more visit www.alphadogs.tv and www.editorslounge.com.
Burbank, CA—Real friends can be tough to come by. In a world where social media has become the norm in connecting with others it’s easy to be under the false pretense of having lots of friends. But how many of these friends do you really know personally and more importantly, how many of these people will become loyal friends that span an entire lifetime? In the new feature-length documentary, The Bronx Boys-Still Playing at 80 fifteen men who first met in kindergarten while living in the Bronx show it’s not only possible to stay close friends for over 75 years, but that you can still have just as much fun as you did during your youth. Age, after all, is only a number and nothing holds these boys back from anything short of having a good time.
Benjamin Hershleder, Director and editor for the film, first became acquainted with AlphaDogs Post when he met lead editor and president of the company, Terence Curren while visiting the online Avid community. During this time Hershleder learned about AlphaDogs Editors’ Lounge, a monthly event held at the facility that provides education for the post-production community. While attending the lounge events, Hershleder got to know the talented people behind the AlphaDogs name. Hershleder comments, “When it came time for post production on the film, I felt confident that AlphaDogs would not only meet my high standards, but also give the personal attention you don’t always receive at a larger facility.”
Audio Engineer Curtis Fritsch was in charge of creating the 5.1 surround sound mix for the film. “Director Hershleder did not want any changes made to the existing audio mix which was unusual since that’s the primary request I get from most clients”, said Fritsch. “Bronx Boys was an entertaining project to work on when it came to producing a surround sound mix. I really had fun in creating the sound and sensation in the rollercoaster scene and in giving the audience the impression of actually being there on the ride.” Fritsch used the Izotope Denoiser plug-in to isolate problem areas within the audio including removing hissing noises from microphones used during interviews in the film. Facilis Terrablock storage made it easy to create audio output stems in a quick and efficient manner, saving both time and money for the client.
For the final color correction, Terence Curren took on the project himself. “I knew how personal this project was to Benjamin, and how much of a perfectionist he is,” Curren said. “I wanted to make sure that his hard work on this project was rewarded with a great final product.” Hershleder edited the project in Avid’s Media Composer, so the natural course for finishing was Avid’s Symphony finishing system. “Besides using Avid’s toolset, I leaned on the Boris Continuum Complete plugin package to handle cleaning up a lot of the older DV footage. They have some great noise reduction tools that really came in handy on this project.”
The Bronx Boys- Still Playing At 80 is based on the award-winning short film, The Bronx Boys-Hosted by Carl Reiner which captured the childhood friends 70th birthday reunion in 2001. In this new film, hosted once again by Carl Reiner, we catch up with the boys ten years later for their 80th birthday celebration that’s full of fun and sage advice for those of all ages.
The Bronx Boys is directed by Benjamin Hershleder with George Shapiro and Howard West as Executive Producers. For more information visit www.contactben.com/thebronxboys/
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About AlphaDogs: Founded in 2002 by acclaimed editor and colorist Terence Curren, AlphaDogs is an independently owned post-production facility located in the center of Burbank's Media District. AlphaDogs' skilled team brings a dynamic combination of creative talent and technical expertise to clients' projects. Paying extra attention to detail, AlphaDogs prides itself on delivering the quality of a large post-production facility with the personal attention of a small boutique. State-of-the-art editing bays, color correction, audio mixing, motion graphics, visual effects, production offices and equipment rentals are available. Since 2003, AlphaDogs has been giving back to the post-production community through its Editors' Lounge series of discussion panels and product demonstrations. To learn more visit www.alphadogs.tv and www.editorslounge.com.
Burbank, CA—Burbank based AlphaDogs Post has completed post-production services for Google’s annual video titled Zietgeist 2012 Year-In-Review. Airing recently on broadcast television and going viral on the Internet with over 13 million views, Zeitgeist, which means “the spirit of the times” tells the story of 2012 through the eyes of Google Search. 
