Our Tampa video production company recently traveled to Orlando, Florida to shoot a series of TV commercials with world champion wakeboarder, Shota Tezuka.
Wakeboarding, slotted to be a trial sport in the 2016 Olympics, involves riding a fiberglass board over water while being towed by a boat. The sport uses a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing techniques. Shota, 19, held the Junior Pro Men’s title before accepting a position on the coveted MasterCraft team this year.
“We were hired by Espritline, a company that teaches Japanese people to speak English,” explains Litewave Media founder Christian Schwier. “For the last two years, we’ve filmed the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with them and champion Japanese race car driver Takuma Sato. When they came to Florida to film Shota this summer, we were excited to be able to partner with them again for another video production.”
Christian and Makiura “Macky” Takaharu get ready to film.
The shoot took place at Shota’s house, which sits on a private lake outside Orlando. The property also serves as his training course, with two boats on the lake and a team of wakeboarders in residence. Both the TV commercials and videos are designed to show how Shota has used English to become a successful athlete. “The videos show how he uses the English language in his daily life as well as when he competes,” says Schwier.
Schwier was the only Tampa film crew member. The team included three other video production members from Japan, including Litewave Media friend Makiura Takaharu, affectionately known as Macky. The shoot required a wide range of equipment, including the Canon EOS 5D, Canon EOS 7D, the GoPro HD Hero2 for stunt shots on the wakeboard, and a Sony EX3 for video interview footage.
Christian with the crew the day of the shoot.
“We filmed a variety of different scenarios,” says Schwier, a Tampa video production professional for seven years. “One of the most interesting shots was filming Shota from one boat while he was wakeboarding off the back of another boat.” The video crew got some great footage of flips and other tricks. Splashing water was a challenge at times, but everyone was pleased with the footage, which went back to Japan to be edited.
“Shota was great to work with and made the filming easy. We were able to capture some amazing shots of him,” says Schwier, who really enjoys working with his Japanese friends. “We’re excited to include this in our Tampa video production company’s demo reel and hope to see them again soon the next time they come to Florida!”
Christian and Takaki Katano put safety first before filming on the lake.
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Over twenty members of our Tampa production crew participated in this year’s 48 Hour Film Project and walked away with eight awards, including best film, best directing, best editing, best actress and the audience favorite for the their group.The 48 Hour Film Project is a filmmaking contest that takes place over a wild and sleepless weekend where teams write, shoot, edit and score a movie—in just 48 hours. Over 50,000 filmmakers are expected to participate this year, making around 4,000 films in 120 cities on six continents.
On a Friday evening, teams received a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre, all of which had to be included in the short (4-7 minute) film. Finished films were due Sunday at 7 p.m.
Our film, a short called, “F,” was shot on the Red Scarlet, one of the leading 4k ultra high-resolution video cameras on the market. “The Scarlet gives video that Hollywood film look we’ve been striving to achieve. The workflow is a little more complex, but it was worth it,” says Christian Schwier, Director. “The footage looked better than anything we’ve ever shot.”
Stephen Maxwell working on the original score for “F”
The Litewave Media video crew included camera operators, editors, wardrobe professionals, a sound engineer, boom operator, production assistants, gaffer, and several grips. The cast included five main actors and about ten extras.
Although there were many challenges inherent in completing the project, our team faced one significant snag. A heavy rainstorm all weekend forced the team to re-write the original ending, which was to be shot on the roof of a four-story building. With safety concerns, they quickly brainstormed and created an alternate scene to finish the film.
Evan, Co-Director of Photography, films a scene with the Red Scarlet Camera
This is the tenth entry the Litewave Media team has submitted to a filmmaking contest. Six years ago, their western musical won first place at the Guerilla Film Challenge. And currently their feature film, Jules Dongu Saves the World, is making its rounds on the festival and convention circuit.
The team’s prizes included a Dolly/Slider and gift certificates from local businesses, but more importantly, the film “F” will automatically be entered into the screening line-up for Filmapalooza next March in Los Angeles, CA. If it wins there, the next stop is the Cannes Film Festival.
Cast and crew on the Red Carpet at the awards ceremony in Ybor City.
“I’m so proud of our team and how everyone came together and contributed their time to make a great film,” says Schwier, also the founder of the Tampa production company. “The collaboration and diverse talents are what makes it so interesting and fun. Everyone contributes a little piece to the puzzle.”
Litewave Media was hired by the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) to film two projects at the Republican National Convention, which recently took place in Tampa, Florida this August. “The RSLC found us online through our website,” Litewave founder Christian Schwier explains. “They had viewed some of our company’s previous work and thought we would be a good fit for their documentary video project.”
Christian working at the RNC.
Despite storms from Hurricane Isaac, gnarled traffic and huge crowds, our Tampa film crew had an exciting week filming for the documentary. Our onsite editor and Tampa post production crew also created short daily video updates that were uploaded online directly from the convention.
The Fox studio at the RNC in Tampa, Florida.
“Once we got past the security check points, bomb-sniffing dogs and car searches, the shoot was a breeze,” jokes Schwier. The documentary video project centered on five Latino Republicans from around the country who are all running for office, including House and Senate seats and a governorship. The film will tell the story of their candidacy and experiences at the RNC.
Christian and Taylor with their passes to the RNC.
The team also shot footage for five three-minute shorts, which allowed our Tampa video production company to get involved in several different aspects of the convention. Among the events filmed were an interview with Mike Huckabee, a tech panel with Joe Green, (Mark Zuckerberg’s Harvard roommate) who developed applications for Facebook, and an educational summit featuring Dr. Condoleezza Rice.
Taylor using the MacBook Air mobile editing station.
Directory of Photography Christian Schwier, and the crew—Taylor Girard, Editor and 2nd Camera and Rachel Lappe, Camera Assistant—used both a Panasonic HPX-170 and a Panasonic HVX-200 to shoot the video segments. Litewave Media’s new ultra-mobile post production station includes Apple’s MacBook Air with Final Cut Studio and Adobe CS6, which allowed the footage for the video shorts to be edited onsite from almost anywhere. After they were finalized, the mini-movies were immediately uploaded to the RSLC’s YouTube channel, enabling Republican supporters to follow the activities at the convention in close to real time.
Although the Tampa video crew enjoyed many parts of the gig, Schwier says the highlight was meeting Dr. Condoleezza Rice. “We got to chat with her for a few minutes before she went on stage,” he shares. “She’s very eloquent and gave a fifteen-minute speech with no teleprompter. The room was really engaged when she spoke. You could feel the energy.”
Christian filming Dr. Condoleezza Rice.
The Republican National Convention is yet another major event to come to Tampa recently, bringing additional film and video business opportunities to the city. Schwier feels that’s good news for both the industry and Litewave Media. “Networking at the RNC will hopefully earn us future jobs when these companies and people come back to Tampa Bay for their next video project,” he says. “We’re working hard to establish ourselves as Tampa’s premier video production company—a one stop shop for crew, production, and post production needs.”
Rachel and her RNC pass.
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Scuzz TV, the UK’s most popular rock and metal TV station, hired our Tampa film studio to interview and film three of the bands participating in the Warped Tour this year. The international music festival with over 100 bands ranging from punk and metal to reggae and alternative stopped at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg, FL this July.
Directory of Photography, Christian Schwier, spent a day in the Florida sun with sound engineer Mike Barnitt and production assistant Harold Hood. Together, they captured the stories and music of the bands and the energy of the fans.
Filming interviews at Warped Tour with band: Miss May I
Ronnie Radke, the lead singer from Falling in Reverse, was one of the musicians interviewed by the Tampa video crew. Part of the conversation focused on how Radke’s life-changing experience of how going to prison affected his music and has contributed to the band’s success. Litewave Media also talked to Of Mice and Men lead singer Austin Carlile and members of the band Miss May I.
“Two of the bands invited us onto their official tour buses,” says Schwier. “Ronnnie Radke actually played us an unreleased track off the band’s new record. It was an incredible experience.” The other interview was conducted in Vinoy Park with the beautiful St. Petersburg Pier as a back drop.
Christian with Beez – Channel manager at England’s Scuzz TV
Schwier and his team used two cameras to catch the essence of the bands and the tour: a Panasonic HPX-170 and a Panasonic HVX-200, both 1080p high definition video cameras capable of broadcast quality video acquisition.
Scuzz TV will use the footage in two of their brand new shows, one highlighting the diverse tattoos inked on rock stars and musicians, and the other offering intimate interviews with musicians about their journeys as artists and stars. All footage was transferred to hard drive at our Tampa production studio and express mailed to the UK, where Scuzz TV immediately began editing. Both shows will premier in September.
Our Tampa video production company now has an equipment arsenal that includes the RED Scarlet, one of the first 5k ultra high-resolution cameras on the market. “We’re gearing up to shoot a new independent feature film and the extra resolution and RAW files will enable us to bring our special FX and color grading to a new level,” says founder Christian Schwier.
Litewave Media’s RED Scarlet Camera in Tampa, FL
Hollywood films like The Amazing Spiderman, Prometheus and The Hobbit were all shot using the new RED 5k camera technology, counting Peter Jackson and Steven Soderberg among its fans.
For years, film makers have been discussing what would replace film. Some felt it was HD, but now RED has created a camera with enough resolution to replicate the quality of 35mm. And in fact, this camera has a higher dynamic range – besting that of film. It’s an exciting time for film makers.
Taylor, camera operator and Steve, DP prep the RED Scarlet camera for a shot
The Tampa video production company‘s expansion also includes video post production hardware and software. Litewave Media has upgraded three of its video editing suites to include the new Adobe CS6 Production Bundle with CUDA certified graphics cards. “We’ll be using Premiere Pro and After Effects for video editing and post workflow with the RED 5k files,” he explains. “The new software acceleration enables us to edit in real-time just like regular HD files.”
Schwier is quick to point out that the ability to do higher end film production is a great upgrade for the Tampa video company, but it won’t replace the extensive video equipment currently being used. “Our clients and our Tampa film crew are excited about having choices,” he says.
Director Christian Schwier with the RED Scarlet video production team in Tampa
Clients of the Tampa video production studio can look forward to the same high-caliber quality they’re used to while also having options like the RED Scarlet for higher end productions.
Litewave Media, Tampa’s leading video production company recently produced a series of video testimonials for Ideal Image , the fastest growing laser hair removal company in the world. The footage will be edited and ultimately become part of a series of national TV commercials.
The ladies of Ideal Image.
The filming took place at Litewave Media’s partner studio, WEDU, the largest video studio in Tampa Bay. Our video crew designed and built three film sets for the commercials. Lead set designer, Jeff Zampino, transformed the empty white studio space into three lavish living room sets. Our design team brought in pictures, couches, furniture and set decorations to create the unique spaces the client required for the production.
Litewave Media team members Mike Barnitt-right (Sound Tech) and Bridget Desjarlais-center (Assistant Set Designer) on the set with a lighting tech.
A number of the Ideal Image guests were local to the Tampa area, while others were flown in from around the country to participate in the testimonial video shoot. The spots were filmed on two high definition video cameras, and the Tampa video crew included camera operators Jamie Parslow and Ryan Zarra, and gaffer Andrew Ortoski.
Gaffer Andrew Ortoski adjusts the lighting controls.
Video editing and post production work begins next week at Litewave Media’s video studio in St. Petersburg, FL. Our Tampa post production crew will use Final Cut Pro and Adobe’s Creative Suite 6 to edit and color grade the footage.
Director of Photography Christian Schwier, Gaffer Andrew Ortoski and Camera Operator Jamie Parslow.
A Litewave Media client since 2006, Ideal Image has grown from a single location in the Tampa Bay area to over 90 centers throughout the U.S. and the world. “It’s a great experience to grow together with a client,” says Christian Schwier, founder of Litewave Media. “We’ve built our video production business on creating lasting partnerships with our clients, and Ideal Image is a great example of that.”
Pre-production has begun on Litewave Media’s next independent film project,
The Skyship Chronicles
, scheduled to begin shooting this fall in the Tampa Bay area.
Concept art for one of the villains in the movie.
After completing the feature film Jules Dongu Saves the World in early 2012, the premier Tampa video production company is already hard at work scouting locations and building partnerships with local crew, actors, and artisans for the new production.
“We love filming here in Tampa Bay,” says director and Litewave Media founder Christian Schwier. “We have the most amazing talent here, and the potential shooting locations are top notch.”
Screen tests for make-up and costume with Rachel Lappe, one of the film’s actors.
Local crafts people like ADEQ Firearms of Tampa and the St. Petersburg Wood Guild have already signed on to assist in building sets and props that will give the film a retro-science-fiction or Steampunk look, reminiscent of H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine.
Steve, the film’s DP, with the Red Scarlet video camera.
Set at the turn of the 20th century, The Skyship Chronicles is an action/adventure film with plenty of humor. “The plot revolves around two misfit time travelers and a hapless postal worker,” explains the film’s writer, Jeff Zampino. “Together, they battle a mad scientist bent on destroying the world.”
As a leader in video production, Litewave Media will shoot with the new Red Scarlet® cinema camera, one of the most innovative digital film cameras available. Its 4k resolution is double that of HD. With a wide range of video equipment in their arsenal, Litewave Media is a true one-stop resource for professional video and film production in the Tampa Bay area.
Behind the scenes pic with some of the film’s actors testing out costumes.
The video production company is using the Web site Kickstarter.com, a funding platform for creative projects, to generate additional funding for the film. For more information on the progress of the film visit http://www.skyshipchronicles.com/.
Jeff Zampino adjusts a gun prop during a video screen test with Rachel.
On Saturday, May 5th, Litewave Media’s Tampa film crew recorded a live three-hour concert performed by local gospel group Cepeda McKay and No Limits. The band has been uplifting audiences in Tampa and across the country with their original compositions and signature sound since 2002.
Cepeda McKay and No Limits rocks the house.
A packed house enjoyed the concert at the beautiful new First Baptist Church of Progress Village near Tampa, Florida. Five cameras—two Panasonic HVX-200s, two Canon 7Ds and a Canon 5D— filmed the concert simultaneously, capturing the members of Cepeda McKay and No Limits, along with the live band and dancers performing with them.
Our Tampa video production company arrived early to plan the camera angles and set up film equipment, which included a 20-foot CamMate jib system. The jib allowed the video team to capture sweeping overhead shots of the concert as well as the audience that was grooving in the aisles to the catchy songs.
Litewave Media’s Tampa film crew included: CamMate Crane operator, Andrew Ortoski; camera operators Jamie Parslow, Ryan Zarra, Evan Zissimopulos; and Director of Photography, Christian Schwier.
Andrew and Jamie, members of Litewave Media’s Tampa video production crew, set up the CamMate jib to film the Cepeda McKay and No Limits concert.
Preliminary editing is scheduled to begin next week at Litewave Media’s post production studio in Tampa, Florida. Using Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects, our Tampa post production team will craft a professional concert DVD that the band will then use to promote their music and ministry.
Cepeda McKay and No Limits shares their uplifting music all over the world.
If you’re looking for music video companies in Tampa Bay to film your production, please contact us for a personalized consultation.
We got at a chance to do some filming for a week in the Cayman Islands for an upcoming TV production. Our Tampa production company filmed during Pirate week and got some great footage of the Island festivities. The team consisted of three camera operators and a sound tech. Shot on the Panasonic HVX-200, Canon 5D, and Canon 7D.
Litewave Media’s Tampa video production crew flew to the Bahamas this past week to film the pilot episode of a new TV series. Litewave Media’s Christian Schwier led the camera production team as lead camera operator. Mike Barnitt, Litewave Media’s sound recordist, was also on location to capture dialogue and ambient sound for the production.
