Can you feel that? The buzz is in the air, the names have been pulled: it’s Oscar season once again. Not just an industry tradition, the Academy Awards is one of the most widely broadcast and viewed television programs year after year. Millions of people across the globe tune in to catch a glimpse at the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, as well as find out who will walk away with the most desired of awards named after a trashcan dwelling grouch (not the actual derivative, folks). The ceremony is the grandiose standard of the American film industry epitomized, and winning the prestigious trophy/title not only immortalizes those honored, but also will place one in the upper tier of production work for the remainder of said one’s career. Talk about making the most of one job!
As a company working within the same industry that defines this Hollywood allure, it’s not the glamour that keeps Get-Kinetic hard at work. Though it’s an admirable dream to strive for, it doesn’t seem that it can be the single motivating factor to keep anyone’s nose to the grindstone, which, even as a proverbial grindstone, seems very dangerous. Working in this business is about the passion to deliver a product, soup-to-nuts, that you can view in retrospect and be completely proud of. We are here to create. Whether it’s full-length content, branding, or advertising, at Get-Kinetic we work towards the gratification of a high quality final product.
One of the means toward creating quality products is by surrounding ourselves with individuals who share our values. Get-Kinetic had the pleasure of working with several such colleagues, this February, including producer, Tracy Schott. Tracy brought Get-Kinetic on board for a spot for Penske Truck Rental, promoting their roadside assistance service. Shot by Kevin Hack on RED, with the support of jib owner/op Paul Thomson and GK AC Tom Fanelle, the spot was shot at an exterior location in Bridgeport, PA.
Sometimes the path to Oscar is more direct than we think! The Academy’s 2004 Best Male in a Leading Role, actor/singer/comedian Jamie Foxx, joined efforts with Get-Kinetic director Brandon Kraines earlier this year to fight a good cause. Foxx and Kraines put together a PSA to promote the Weingart Center in Los Angeles. The Weingart Center provides services to the homeless and those in need, such as meals, beds, and the opportunity for a permanent job. The PSA is currently featured on Weingart’s homepage.
It’s a crazy, creative, complex, and potentially glamorous world that we operate in as a production company. It’s about having the right people for the right job with the right equipment. It clearly makes a difference if you are shooting on IMAX 3D or Cannon 5D, but the most important tool in creating any film or video is a crew who cares about the job at hand and has the ability get it done. Who knows, perhaps if all of the elements come together and the machine is well greased and the talent is A-list, Oscar could throw a nod our way someday. Regardless, it’s best to keep at it and continue to hone the craft.
