Today marks the completion of a successful 1-year branded drtv campaign for the Superior Gold Group and Integrated Media Solutions, a Beverly Hills-based ad agency. In February 2009, we were approached by the client, and challenged to create a national commercial campaign that would make their phones ring by incorporating branding and a strong call-to-action. We were further tasked with setting their brand apart from their competitors, who were flooding the networks with their own brand and direct-response marketing spots.

We went with a less-is-more approach, reducing the subject to it’s essence, making it approachable and accessible. We also worked hard to achieve a high production value. The resulting spots were simple and tasteful, creating separation from the competitions’ preachy and aggressive ads.

The new drtv spots have aired nation-wide on the Weather Channel, Military Channel, Fox Business, Bloomberg News, Fine Living Network, CNBC during “Mad Money,” and some others, producing excellent results for the client.

Though originally contracted 12 spots, the client asked for a 13^th commercial, delivered on Thursday, May 13^th,  viewable here: Gold Ideas

July 28th, 2009

* Media Advisory *

World premiere of Feature Film:

“Exposed”

Los Angeles, CA On August 2, 2009, Media At Large (Shashi Balooja) in association with Greytv (Michael Yakovchik) will hold the world premiere of their latest soon-to-hit-the festival-circuit film, “Exposed.” Ready to exploit the intense political climate, this will be the first full-length feature produced solely by the forward-thinking production houses.

Aggressively depicting New York’s seedy civic underbelly, Assistant D.A. Andy Hernandes (Shashi Balooja) hires prominent Senator’s son, Michael (Josh Heine); a privileged, brilliant-but-troubled law student eager to help his new mentor. Suddenly both Andy and fiancé Ann (Michelle Glick) are ensnared in a whirlwind of vulnerable situations that result in indiscretion, blackmail, and murder. EXPOSED is a visually stunning and emotionally jarring film.

Presenting is Actor and filmmaker, Shashi Balooja, Founder of Media at Large, and a proponent for diversity in independent film, is an award winning actor and filmmaker. His first feature film, which he co-produced, and co-starred opposite Vanessa Williams and Eartha Kitt “And Then Came Love” was acquired by Warner Bros. He is the lead actor in several upcoming films and has performed extensively on stage in NYC with industry greats Peter Boyle, Mercedes Ruehl and Alec Baldwin to name a few.

Also presenting will be LA based producer Michael Yakovchik / Founder of Greytv – He produced national commercials for leading advertising agencies and helmed music videos, sitcoms and broadband programming for industry standouts like Sundance, Toronto Film Festival, HL and InStyle Magazine. Greytv’s client list includes MTV Networks, ABC, Fox, BET and ESPN to name a few.

The World Premiere of “Exposed” will take place on August 2, 2009 at The Regency Fairfax Theater, 7907 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 as part of the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival.

Greytv attended Expressions Unlimited Acting Studio talent showcase on Thursday May 22, 2008. The studio is owned and operated by acting guru Bobbie Chance.  As a Theater Arts Major at the University of Miami, Bobbie Shaw Chance won the Miss Miami Beauty Pageant. One of the prizes was a Hollywood screen test, which resulted in an American International signing her to a seven year contract.

Bobbie’s studio of actors appropriately named ‘Expressions Unlimited’, located in Sherman Oaks, CA is where the pursuit continues with eight intense sessions per week for those who dare to take the challenge.  Her manifesto for novice and celebrities alike is:

• Dedication to the work.
• Commitment to the role.
• Total and complete elimination of the need for personal gain.

During her twenty years as a director/acting coach, some of the names that have come to experience her innovative style of working with actors are:

Drew Barrymore, Steven Dorf, Breckin Meyer, Giovanni Ribisi, as well as celebrity devotees Academy Award Winner Anthony Hopkins, Academy Award Winner Martin Landau, Academy Award Winner Richard Dreyfuss, Kurt Russell, Rob Reiner, Andy Garcia, Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt, all of whom have worked out at her studio.

Actors Keir McGill, Kelley Whilden (a.k.a., Kelley Nicole) and Pilar Carrington were recently called upon to audition for roles in,”Rick’s Place” a pilot with production taking place at the end of June.

It is time once again this year for the 48 Hour Film Project, www.48hourfilm.com taking place across the globe. The 48 Hour Film Project is a wild and sleepless weekend in which you and a team make a movie—write, shoot, edit and score it—in just 48 hours.  On Friday night, you get a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre, all to include in your movie.  48 hours later, the movie must be complete. Then it will show at a local theater, usually in the next week.  The Los Angeles event will take place on June 13 – June 15.

In 2007, some 30,000 filmmakers made films www.48hourfilm.com/tour in 55 cities around the world.   Producer – Michael Yakovchik of Greytv and Director of Photography – Marcelo Alvarez have decided to put forth their efforts alongside a list of very talented filmmakers that include: Director – Sam Linder, Writer – Sara Zofko, Music Composer – Mike Pflug , Camera Operator – Chris Mammarelli and others.

Michael Marcus and Prakriti Maduro in “Floor Scores Ago”

Talent for the event has been established from Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, past projects and present client relations.  All of the actors who have decided to take part in the chaotic event are incredibly skilled and when it comes time to cast, it will make the decision a bit harder than usual.

UPDATE – June 6, 2008

Lorenzo Lamas of “Renegade” has signed on to do “Rick’s Place”

Lorenzo Lamas has signed on to play, ”Rick” the main character in the show, while Richard Tyson will play his counterpart,” Roy”. The show has secured a list of fine talent to play staff and clients alike. The sitcom takes place in a gymnasium and surrounds all the mishaps that occur between management, employees and the numerous characters – clients that exercise at, “Rick’s Place”.

According to Roy Lightner, Greytv was selected amongst a list of independent production companies to line produce due to their incredible talent, high energy and motivation that came across in their initial business meeting. Greytv has stated that they are very eager to begin production; they look forward to creating a positive and productive environment on set.

Stay posted as more to come will follow, due to the sensitive nature of the pilot being kept under wraps, not much can be stated at this time.

Parvati Shallow and Donald Sutherland – 10th Annual Young Hollywood Awards

Parvati was born in Vero Beach, Florida and at a young age moved to a small town in Georgia with her family. After graduating from college with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in journalism and traveling abroad, she moved to Los Angeles. She spent her early days in L.A. as waitress, bar tending and modeling trying to earn a living. In her spare time she trained her little heart out boxing. She became part of Perfect 10 Model Boxing and eventually co-created a reality show called the the Knockouts with Pattianne Harootian. It’s a combination of America’s Next Top Model meets The Contender. It was her experience as a contestant on Survivors: Cook Island, that spawned the idea. Along with the two girls history as boxers and Pattiannes extremely hard work ethic, a pilot episode was shot and is currently on the drawing table.

Shortly after the pilot was made, a non-profit charity organization revolving around the premise of the show was created. You can visit their website for further details at: www.KO4G.com Parvati has worked with the organization raising awareness to their cause in hopes of being able to give back to the community.

During this time, she was invited back to the Survivor camp for Season 16: Fans vs. Favorites. After a long and equally grueling experience form the first time around, it came down to the end. She made it to the final 4. In short, she was crowned the ultimate favorite, winning this years Survivor competition on Sunday May 11th on CBS. It was of no surprise to her friends, family and colleagues.

Greytv was asked what they thought about her victory, “It’s no surprise to us, it’s evident that her energy lights up the room when ever she steps in it. Parvati’s the type of person that makes you feel good about being yourself, it’s almost like you can’t help but feel amazing when you are around her. We know that there are bigger things to come. We feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with her and look forward to collaborating on future projects together”.

Direct-response Commercial

Client: SGG