Talented Kids

The kids used in the spots were incredible. They put up with a lot of hardship, patiently waiting...and spending an enormous time squished into the little red car they nicknamed Herberta in the cold and wet. It was really very cold. And they never complained. Kudos to them and to their performances.

Big thanks to Staff Sergeant Mark Hodgson for being so great about everything and braving the challenging conditions with me every step of the way.

A shout out to the West Coast crew who created an exceptional crash scene and gave me everything I need to create some fantastic commercials. Looking forward to getting them to post real soon.

Special thanks to Robin, Al, Trudie, Geoff, Cameron, Anita, Brittany, Sean, Gabe, Jonas, Shea, Corryn and the rest of you.

CRASH!

Just returned from Vancouver where we shot new Winnipeg Police commercials. These ones will be decidely more graphic than the earlier versions. We chose Vancouver due to the timing primarily. We didn't want to shoot with the snow on the ground in Winnipeg. Who knew we wouldn't have snow yet here at the end of November? We also were able to arrange some amazing participation by the Director and crews in Vancouver who were very interested in the spot and recognized it's importance as a public service announcement.

Time for an Update

Exciting stuff. We'll be heading out to Vancouver next week to shoot new commercials for the Winnipeg Police Service Just Slow Down campaign. Not wanting to give away any secrets but the reason we're headed out there is partly weather related and partly stunt professional-related. Working with a strong team on the coast and then will post back here at Midcan. Looking forward to the final result.

Just putting the finishing touches on the Grant Park Shopping Centre Christmas campaign featuring General Manager John Rooke as Jolly Ol' John Rooke. We had a lot of fun at the photo shoot. Thanks David Lewis from Tripwire and Marnie Stewart for helping us put it all together. John was a good sport about it all.

The Victoria General Hospital Foundation calendar is nearly ready to head to the press. Amanda designed another gorgeous calendar for this important and deserving group.



Keep an eye out for new Bothwell Cheese labels. Amanda redesigned labels for their line of cheddars as well as Edam and Gouda.





















New brand identities created in the past month include John Harrison Law Office and Women for Women Law Office and Accent Credit Union.

And we're about to get going on a new identity and design for Lansard Bros. Roofing.

In the meantime, getting close to posting Urban Harmony. We'll make a BIG noise when that is completed. Very, very exciting project for MTS Video on Demand.

Olaf continues to recover from his chemo and radiation therapy and the prognosis is very optimistic. He really had a tough time and we are so very glad his life is starting to return to normal. It's terribly hard when one you care so much about is going through such a tremendously difficult time.

Things are definitely not slowing down in the near future....other than those drivers out there who have been appropriately paying attention.

Last day of principal photography.

Today we'll finish Urban Harmony. What an amazing project. I think this week really topped it off for me. We recorded audio with Wab Kinew. Wab is a very successful Aboriginal Rapper. And it really hit home for me what I'm trying to achieve with Urban Harmony. I wanted to express my belief in the positives of different people from different cultures making up the fabric of our city. Winnipeg has had some particularly difficult times of late in the media - there has been some ugly violence taking place and it has shone a very disturbing light on us. But I know, that each and every day, solid, honest citizens go about their business - many working hard to make things better. The vast majority of people DO get along and DO contribute and display random acts of kindness and DO live harmoniously. Wab mentioned in his Twitter that he made me cry during the audio session. And it's true. Especially when he tributed Olaf and wished him well. Because that's where this all started.

Wab raps about a respect for varying cultures and a commitment to peace and harmony. Who better to be a part of this project.

We'll be taking to the streets this morning to shoot Wab for the music video and to do a quick interview for his UH profile.

We'll also collect some video of Alexander West who lends his musical talents in a violin riff to the chorus. And, Vina will join us for her interview and to capture a little more video of this 9 year old singing sensation.

Antiphony, Ben Wytinck and Elyon were completed last week.

In other news, working on the new credit union brand for a merger taking place between two credit unions in Saskatchewan, new Edwards School of Business profiles nearing completion as well as the documentary of the project, an H1N1 campaign developed for the Northwest Company and Paradigm Consulting and Amanda's been working steadily on the Victoria Hospital newsletter and calendar.

Next week we jump into Christmas with Grant Park Shopping Centre.

With luck, an approval to move forward with a new Just Slow Down campaign and we keep hoping we can look ahead with our Leaders and Healers project.

All in all, things are certainly looking promising.

2009B_1982

2009B_1982
Originally uploaded by BlindPhotog

2009B_2000

2009B_2000
Originally uploaded by BlindPhotog

Antiphony in the Exchange.

2009B_1999

2009B_1999
Originally uploaded by BlindPhotog

Filming Antiphony for Urban Harmony early Sunday morning the 13th of September.

Lots more Urban Harmony

We recorded the audio for Amanda's group Antiphony Thursday evening. Then we dragged these cheerful singers out to Old Market Square at 8 am Sunday morning. The weather truly cooperated (although the City was socked in with fog when we first woke up). Antiphony did a phenomenal job and Winnipeg's Exchange District looked amazing in the early light.



Then we raced off to Assiniboine Park where Vina was performing with her cultural group at the Lyric Theatre. We captured that and then filmed Vina in the Zoo. We waged a mighty battle with the mosquitoes and tributes must be paid to Vina,her mom Paige, sister Julia for their patience. Also to intrepid crew Keith, John and Clark who braved the heat and the killer bugs. Things are so coming together on this exciting project.

Early September update.

Paul, the audio engineer at daCapo has been masterfully directing the sessions for Urban Harmony, our broadcast project for MTS Video on Demand. Last Friday we recorded Vina Dimayuga and on Tuesday evening Ben Wytinck impressed everyone with his soulful and smooth rendition of the title song Urban Harmony, finishing off with a Cajon box - a drum originating in Brazil.

Tomorrow evening our own Amanda Buhse's vocal group Antiphony will be so fun. I can't wait. Paul looks at each of these sessions as a new creative challenge .....don't ya Paul?

Clark is dutifully recording behind-the-scenes action and capturing the production skills.

In the meantime, we've been doing our best to manage at the Picanteria without Shaun who is enjoying a well deserved holiday in Egypt!! ....And, we're preparing for Kath's departure on a romantic 3 week 25th Anniversary trip with her husband Doug to Italy and France.

I myself got away to...................Minneapolis for the Labour Day weekend and Amanda enjoyed the weekend at ..............her cottage at the lake. Don't worry Manda. Our time will come I'm sure.

Kath and I had a great meeting this afternoon with the Boys in Blue - the amazing Winnipeg Police Service. Mark, Steve, Randy and Ray were so welcoming and so open to our suggestions and proposals...have I mentioned how much I love working for those guys? More on this later.

Amanda has been working hard on redesigning the Bothwell Cheese cheddar labels. Jason is such a pleasure to work with and I think she's really captured their vision....the new Gouda label is a favourite - so much fun to search for just the right photo and then know it's going to grace all that CHEESE! Thanks Ivan and Jason for the privilege.

Our hard-working Art Director has also been working on the new Victoria Hospital Foundation 2010 Calendar and fall newsletter. Not to mention a super-quick Golf Tourney quiz - my brainchild for Paradigm Pharmacy.

We have rebranding projects for credit unions in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan on the go and we're still keeping Adam and Denise from Elemental Motion Media busy with the Edwards School of Business Role Models project.

More Urban Harmony tomorrow and a bigger shoot on Sunday. We'll be filming in the Exchange and at the Zoo.

I love my job.

And, as always, we're thinking about our friend Olaf Pyttlik (daCapo) and his incredible wife Angela as they fight Olaf's cancer together. Sending you all our love each and every day.

Elyon

Last eve we began the first audio recording session for Urban Harmony with a band called Elyon. I asked Paul Bell for a band like Coldplay and he recommended these guys - and was he ever right. The band consists of guitar player and lead singer Jeremy Dell, Jeremy Shurby on bass and Adam Klassen on drums. They had created 2 unique versions of Urban Harmony and we recorded both. Unbelievable. Everything I had hoped for, and more.

This morning we record 9 year old Filipina sensation Vina Dimayuga. She knocked me dead at Folklorama this year and I knew I wanted to include her on Urban Harmony.

Great news!

We've been given the green light on a new project for MTS Video on Demand. Titled Urban Harmony, it will be a celebration of Winnipeg music and artists and will feature an original Olaf Pyttlik composition. We'll start working on this next week to take advantage of (hopefully) some perfect summer shooting weather.

Thanks to Cam Bennett at MTS VOD for choosing to move forward on Urban Harmony. We can't wait to get going.

Halfway through July already.

The time is sure flying by. Is it my age or what??!

We have managed to update our website which is nice. It's always funny how difficult it is to look after internal needs when you're concentrating on projects for valued clients.



Working hard on a relatively large presentation to three levels of government on Thursday. I am so passionate about this project because I think it's important, I think it can make a difference, and I know we can create something incredibly meaningful.

Big thanks to Glenn Hildebrand from the
College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
who allowed us to film his testimonial yesterday morning. What an amazing guy and he made us sound pretty good too! Definitely more on this after the presentation but I've included a tentative title graphic.


AND...we've met with MTS VOD and think we have a very exciting new project with them.
I'm dying to talk about it but I think I'll hold off just a bit.

Amanda has done an amazing job for Paradigm Pharmacy Services. Dave and Steve had their photos taken yesterday with David Lewis in his new studio. Can't wait to see it when it's all finished David! We're having a lot of fun imagining the possibilities with Paradigm. Definitely an interesting new piece of business for us.

Continuing to work on the Edwards School of Business webisodes and documentary. It's fantastic to have the privilege of working on projects that are going to make a difference in people's lives.

Which brings to mind a couple of projects we're starting up soon for the Victoria General Hospital Foundation. More on those later.

Reflecting on our lives right now we're grateful to have the opportunity to explore new ideas and campaigns in a free and war-free country. We are always aware of those parts of the world who do not enjoy this luxury.

Hope you're all enjoying your summer.

My goodness we're having fun!

Lots of interesting things going on at the Picanteria these days.

We're working hard getting our Role Model campaign finished for the Edwards School of Business. Had a lovely time in Saskatoon and enjoyed seeing all our old friends again. Leanne Bellegarde, Director, Aboriginal Initiatives previewed our documentary on a big screen and though we still have some things to add in, the response from the crowd was very positive. We made Leanne cry again....(in a good way) but she gets emotional pretty easily. Interviewed the new Dean of the ESB and he's just as committed to Aboriginal students as the former Dean was so that's positive news.

Keeping busy with The Centre Mall in Saskatoon. Their new Marketing Director is keeping things hopping while our former client is off on Maternity leave.

Speaking of Mat Leave....we're still waiting for Lori from Elemental to have her baby. The little one is quite overdue and we're getting anxious to meet him or her. I think my guess for the baby poll was June 18th so clearly I was way off.

We're working on some really exciting new things with Dave Huston our favourite pharmacist. Amanda is so amazing at capturing the vision graphically sometimes it makes my heart sing.

Shaun's wife Kaleigh successfully defended her Masters last week and then they went out and bought a new vehicle. Today they are celebrating Shaun's 30th birthday and Canada Day by skydiving. OMG. Hope it goes well. I mean I REALLY hope it goes well.

I'm cooking up a new idea for MTS Video on Demand. Meeting with them next week. Sure hope they like the concept. It would keep us very busy this summer and would be so rewarding to do.

Looking forward to hosting Olaf and Clint from daCapo today as well as Tony from Midcan. Celebrating Canada Day with some favourite friends we've met through the business.

Working on Picante's new website. Hopefully we'll unveil it next week.

Happy Canada Day everyone. Let's all take a moment to appreciate this incredible country we live in. In these days of strife and unrest in places like Iran, Iraq and Honduras among so many others, it's important to reflect on our tremendous good fortune of being able to live and work here in peace.

Runnin' back to Saskatoon.

Am away in Saskatoon all this week shooting more Aboriginal Role Model profiles for the Edwards School of Business http://www.thisisyourfuture.ca/ So I have found a moment to catch up.

On June 18th it was a news conference with the Winnipeg Police Service to announce the winners of the Youth Video Contest. In all we had 30 entries and some amazing Just Slow Down messages. You can view them all at http://www.justslowdown.ca/ . I think you'll be impressed. Snapped pics of the winners with Chief Keith McCaskill, Manda and I with the Chief and our core JSD "team" of Staff Sargeant Mark Hodgson, Steve West, Manager, Issues Management, Manda and me.


Later in the day, Shaun gave a big presentation at the Warehouse Theatre on as part of his Leadership Winnipeg program through the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. This extensive program takes young, future Winnipeg leaders and exposes them to all sorts of issues and opportunities facing the City. Shaun's group presented on Sustainability. Other groups spoke about Revitalizing Downtown, Arts & Culture, the effects of the new Human Rights Museum, and other topics.

For me it was off to Fargo for a soccer tournament with my daughter Shea and then a quick (or so I thought) jaunt to Saskatoon. Plane cancelled due to malfunction in Denver and a 7 hour wait at the Denver airport. But I'm here now and things are going swimmingly.

My other talented friend.

I want to tribute my good friend Olaf Pyttlik. Olaf has been responsible for the original music for many of my most important commercial productions. Including our award-winning Centennial spot for the Saskatchewan credit unions and the theme song for Shea's Rockin' World Tour.

Here's a little bio from his blog: "I had an exciting life over the last 12 months: daCapo bought a new building; I turned 40; I travelled to New York a few times as well as to France, Holland and Germany; MTYP produced my show 'Rich' in November (A definite highlight of my career); Angela and I vacationed on the Galapagos Islands and after that volunteered in the slums of Lima, Peru; I was able to attend a production of my musical 'The Wave' in The Netherlands and I finished the score to my first large-scale-52 episodes-animation project called 'Noonbory'."

Simply one of the most talented people on the planet. Olaf has been diagnosed with tongue cancer and starts chemo tomorrow.

Although it's been awhile since I've updated Picante news on my blog and that was my plan when I started this, I find I can't focus on that at all right now.

In an instant, just a few weeks ago, Olaf's life completely changed. (Those pics you see at the top of this post were taken at the Signature Awards on May 6th. Olaf found out he had cancer on May 17th. )

It could happen anytime to anyone. I know cancer touches everyone and in my own family I lost my mom, my sister had breast cancer and my brother fought cancer as well.

I just want Olaf to know that we are with him in his journey and are so hopeful that the wonderful people at CancerCare Manitoba will ensure he beats this thing.

My Talented Friend

Adam Sliwinski, Director of Photography extraordinaire has just updated his website http://www.adamsliwinski.com/ with new demo reels. I was fortunate enough to meet Adam (who now makes his fortune in Vancouver) over 10 years ago. He's a long-time friend of my long-time friend and collaborator Keith Neimor.

Adam has joined Keith and I in numerous adventures, helping us develop an enviable reel of television commercials shot on film, for Saskatchewan Credit Unions, Manitoba Hydro and many others over the past 9 years.

He's worked with the likes of Adam Arkin, Nicolette Sheridan, Christian Slater and others. His demo reels are an entertaining blend of blow-em-up action, subtle pans and incredible light.

One of my fondest memories is when we picked up Adam at the Regina airport and took him to a huge athletic centre and said, "We are going to shoot in here." "Here?" he replied. We had originally been looking for a nice location outside to shoot some spots of High School Athletes but nothing looked just right. Eventually we found a great track at the Brandt Centre. Moving the shoot indoors from outdoors was a huge change and a giant challenge to be tackled within our modest budgets.

The result was one of the most powerful spots we ever created. There were lots of other funny parts to that shoot...clothing malfunctions and scheduling challenges. As usual, the crew (Sue, Keith, Adam and I) had a blast. It's impossible for this writer to capture the magic that is Adam with mere words. The stories of working with Adam could go on and on.

Anyhow - if you have a chance, check out his site. Some of our stuff is on Reel #3.

Did I forget to mention?

Picante picked up two Signature Awards at the event on May 6th. The day started out at Midcan shooting new webisodes for the Just Slow Down campaign. Under the gun to get them done - they're already on the air! Thanks Keith from Energy and Denise, Adam, Simon and Lori from Elemental - WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT YOU!

Speaking of Adam, he joined the Picanterians at the Signature Awards and shared in our excitement of picking up two People's Choice awards for the Credit Unions Financial Therapy "Bathroom ads" - one my first attempts ever to be funny......and the Saskatchewan Rocks website designed by ....wait for it....the geniuses at Elemental. Oh yeah, Adam won the table prize a fabulous new TOASTER! 8 new entries in the Just Slow Down Youth Video Contest today. Check out www.justslowdown.ca and vote for your favourite. Some of them are just fantastic.

Had a lovely meeting late this afternoon with two of our new favourite friends. Can't help it. Just happen to think this is one of the best campaigns we've ever created. Really looking forward to telling you all about it.................................later. :) By the way Kath.....awesome explanation of GRPs!

A Picante Victory!

Had a fantastic and wonderful meeting which ended in a handshake. I think it's safe to say that Picante has been chosen as the new Agency of Record for ............nah. I can't say yet.

This is a very exciting time at the Picanteria.

Got a nice call today from an old friend. Kirby Nishikawa, former GM of St. Vital Centre, called today from Calgary. He's in need of some design help for a mall they're revamping. Both Amanda and Cherrie are so excited - it's right up their alley. I'm excited to be working with the Kirbster again.

Received another RFP today as well. Somehow we'll fit that in. Shaun......HELP!!

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE it like this!

Cinco de Mayo - Wasn't that a party!

Picante invited clients, suppliers and friends to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the fabulous Redboine Boating Club on the banks of the Red. I think I'll let the pictures tell the story.

Say Cheese!

Thanks to all "friends of Picante" who turned out for our taste testing wine & cheese party. In addition to having an excellent time, hanging out with old friends and making some new acquaintances, the attendees took their tasks very seriously - appearing on-camera to record their comments and impressions about the cheese, experimenting with the pairings, sampling the many varieties of cheese and participating in our blind taste tests.

Thanks to everyone who attended. And all the Picanterians who gathered intelligence from Winnipeg grocers, prepared the cheese, created the signage and ran the events.

Definitely, a good time was had by all.