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January 31, 2012
Zach Simons

PMI’s Social Media Revolution

At this point it’s clear that social media is a valuable tool for businesses as well as individuals. . As new social media outlets arise and companies find new and creative ways to engage their audience in conversation, it becomes a question of where to best converse with your fans and where to invest your time. That is exactly the question that we at PMI have asked ourselves and the answer is different for every business.

We have decided that our social media reach will primarily be on four of the major sites: Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and this very blog. We have chosen these four platforms for very specific reasons, each having a slightly different use and benefit to us.


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January 17, 2012
David Case

PMI Christmas Memories

Each year around the end of the summer, someone will ask what we’re planning on doing for the annual PMI Christmas Card. We discuss it for awhile, decide we’ll meet on that subject in the near future and then we forget about it until mid-November, when someone will remind us that we never decided anything. Then we panic. Early in our history (1987 through 1992) Tom Casey (today with Homerun Pictures) would use our Silicon Graphics computers running Alias software to create hi-resolution images from which we printed posters, rolled them up, placed in 2,000+ mailing tubes, added postage and labels, and sent to our clients and friends—what a thrash. In 1994, Ron Dylewski (now with WPGH) and Michael Killen (now with Animal) created an animation on the Paintbox which was mastered to 1-inch and sent out on VHS (tape formats that some of you may or may not remember). In 1997, Greg Shearer (now with Street Level Sound) composed and created a song in celebration of Christmas which was sent out on CD’s which, by the way, were much easier to handle than the posters. Sometimes, Christa Ross (now in the real estate business) would create something in print and send the card out just in time to get lost in the Christmas rush. Then other Christmases have seen everything from cookie tins to boxes filled with toys.

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December 14, 2011
Jose Muniain

Dollar Bank at the Three Rivers Film Festival

As the major sponsor of the Three Rivers Film Festival and the Cleveland International Film Festival for a number of years, Dollar Bank chose to create an animated sponsorship trailer to be shown at each festival.

The PMI team approached the project as if we were creating an opening title sequence for a movie. The inspiration came from one of the masters of this somewhat-underappreciated genre, Saul Bass. He brought the world of design to the film industry in the 1950’s by bringing movie poster designs to life in opening title sequences, and movie trailers. During his 40-year career, he worked with some of Hollywood’s greatest directors, including Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger, Billy Wilder, Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese.

For our design, simplicity was key. We used two main colors, based on Dollar Bank branding, and a third one for the type treatment. Add a few bars traveling across the screen creating different conceptual compositions and we were set.

Dollar Bank liked the final products so much, they have decided to repurpose the trailers for television.

Please take a look at this animated piece that is our homage to Saul Bass and Dollar Bank with a cinematographic flavor. This piece was designed by Jose Muniain, animated by Kevin Kulesa with sound design by Shawn Jackson.

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November 29, 2011
Jack Bailey

PMI Audio Services = Audio Post Pittsburgh

When it was born, PMI was comprised of three original departments: Video Production (the shooters & directors), Video Post Production (the editors), and Audio Production (the sound geeks). [Actually, Audio had to wait a few months until its facility was completed – I remember that for my first session in PMI’s temporary space, Sue Hartford’s synthesizer was set on top of some cardboard delivery boxes.] 

Being a part of a video/film production house required that the Audio facility be designed specifically for streamlined post production.  In terms of hardware, that meant that we had to be able to synchronize our audio recorders to picture reference, which was a lot more complicated back in those analog reel-to-reel days, when video was committed to various linear tape formats.  But it also meant that, as opposed to stand-alone recording studios, those of us in PMI’s Audio Services department had to become specialists in audio post.  Sure, we’ve enjoyed doing a lot of “wild” recording too, creating original music, sound effects and voice-overs.  But audio post engineers think a little differently from other engineers.  We have over 25 years of experience coming up with just the right blend of ambiances, dialog placement, attention-grabbing (or subtle) sound effects, and precise music editing and mixing – all to enhance visual images, and tell the story that the director wants to tell.  

That experience has paid off, and our reputation has spread.  We do a lot of dialog replacement (ADR, or “looping”) with celebrities who are in town for film shoots, and we’ve also mixed the soundtracks for several local productions seen in film festivals across the country and around the world.  Our “specialty” has become so pronounced, in fact, that PMI’s Audio Services department is thought by many professionals to be synonymous with “Audio Post Pittsburgh”… so we’ve acquired that URL.  Check out http://audiopostpittsburgh.com, and please let us know what you think.

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November 10, 2011
Kevin Kulesa

Frame 00:11:10:11

Try to write on a thread. At 15696 pixels by 28 pixels it is the best analogy that I could think of to describe how it is to design a LED fascia for the Consol Energy Center. In reality it is not really like writing on a thread because that’s almost impossible. But like I said, it’s the best analogy that I could think of.

To explain further, fascia’s at the Consol Center are the large seamless rings of flashy advertising that circle the seats between the upper and lower decks. There are two of them and two Halos. Halos are the smaller rings that wrap the hanging Jumbotron.

For the past several months I have designed thousands of them. Along with LED’s and HD Jumbotron videos for the Consol Energy Center, Heinz Field, The Petersen Events Center and PNC Park. Ok, I exaggerate, but only slightly. Ask our clients Garrison Hughes and Dymun + Co. They have been seen at The Consol Energy Center more than Sidney Crosby. The only way to look at the final results is to view it in its environment. The challenge to make these is daunting, not only for me, but also for the client to come up with a concept that will work on these amplified toothpicks. OK, it’s not exactly like that either but I’m sure you understand that these can be difficult to produce.

Since you can’t possibly see these LED’s without going to a game. Take a look at the corresponding (easy) HD videos below. They are currently running on Jumbotrons around the city. Or better yet, when at a game, between periods and sips of beer, notice and appreciate the tight rope running words and images, displayed on super model long and thin LED boards…Yeah, that’s it.

Kevin Kulesa, Designer

Untitled from PMI on Vimeo.

Untitled from PMI on Vimeo.

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June 28, 2011
Willie Case

Happy 10th Birthday, Willie!

In celebration of Willie’s 10th birthday on June 24, we asked him to reflect on his time at PMI.

When I was a little less than three months old, a terrible thing happened in New York – today it’s referred to as 9/11.  That night I remember my Mom and Dad (my human parents, that is) sitting around discussing the events of the day.  My Mom said, “David,” that’s my human Dad, “you’re going to need something to boost the PMI staff morale tomorrow and I know just the thing—why don’t you take Willie to work with you?” As the discussion continued, my parents thought in case we needed protection from another terrorist attack, I would be the perfect animal to ward off such a threat to PMI and the city of Pittsburgh.

The rest, as they say, is history.  The next day, my Dad strapped a harness on my back, loaded me into the car and away we went with my ears flapping in the breeze.  As I hung my head proudly out the window of the car, I realized I was in for a BIG adventure.  Of course, everything is big when you only stand 10-inches high and barely weigh 10-pounds.  But I really didn’t care, because my personality more than made up for my size.

After almost ten years, I still come to work most every day my Dad does and visit with clients, make new friends on the streets, water and fertilize the little park in front of the Fairmont Hotel, clean up Market Square after the weekly farmer’s market, go from office to office looking for treats and, most importantly, take a nap on the sofa in my office. Dad likes to think it’s really his office, but I’ve heard him say I’m officially the President and CEO of PMI and he just hangs around to take care of me… So I guess that makes the office mine, I just let him use it occasionally.

Sometimes various staff members will ask to take me for a walk because Dad says, “Willie is a real babe magnet.” Then some of the cute women at PMI will escort me into the streets where I become a “man magnet.” Either way, I seem to have a very magnetic personality because everyone wants to be around me all the time.

If you don’t know me, ask to see me next time you come to PMI!  I’d love to meet you and give you one of my infamous kisses. Incidentally, I don’t care if you’re a man or a woman – I’ll still kiss you.  So get ready!

Happy Birthday Willie

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June 14, 2011
Gillian McLane

Introducing Official Sound Studios

Thanks to the help of a few of PMI’s finest, Official Sound Studios is the newest division to our already multifaceted facility. From the hours of 7 PM to 7 AM, PMI has become the new hot spot for local artists who want to use the audio suites for recording, mixing, and mastering their music. While music recording is the main focus for OSS, we have also been able to help our clients in other aspects, such as producing music videos, staging still photo shoots for social media promotion, and creating a music countdown television series right here in our facility.

Samantha DeFazio, a tape librarian for PMI’s syndication department, is also the Director of Business Development for OSS, and has been working around-the-clock to expand the customer base of one of the most efficient recording studios in downtown Pittsburgh.

I remember the day Sam approached me and said, “Gill, I just proposed an idea to The Davids (Case and Hartman) about offering our recording studios at night. They said yes—and now it looks like I’m going to start a new division.” My first thought was, is she serious?! Not only was she serious, but since that moment she has not stopped working towards her dream. I have been honored to be working beside her day and night while she tackles one task after another. Sometimes when it seems like the curve balls will never stop coming, Sam and her OSS crew refuse to quit, and are consistently satisfying requests from clients that we didn’t even know were possible—hitting all of those balls out of the park.

1st String, our biggest client at the moment, is a rap group signed with the Desert Storm record label. They currently utilize our facilities for recording their music while using their own engineer who has been producing music in Pittsburgh for several years. OSS was even able to provide them with two recent photo shoots, in addition to filming a documentary about their everyday lives as they travel the road to success.

After the early success of OSS, we decided to put together a production team to write, produce, shoot, and edit a 30-second spot. Our commercial was created so existing and future clients are aware of the complete range of capabilities within our facilities. (The link at the bottom of this blog will take you directly to that commercial on the web.) In addition to our commercial, please check us out on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and coming soon, OfficialSoundStudios.com.

Whether you would like to use our recording studios, our engineers, rent our stage for video production or photography gigs—once you step foot inside our building, the possibilities are endless. On behalf of Sam and all the OSS crew members, we would like to thank everyone at PMI for all their time, effort, patience, and guidance, as we branch out and try something new. And most importantly, thanks to our clients for their immediate acceptance of – and excitement about – the launch of Official Sound Studios, here in Pittsburgh and around the country.

We’re confident that you’ll enjoy our commercial. Feel free to contact Sam or me with any questions, if you would like a tour, or better yet, to book your next session.

Contacts:
Official Sound Studios: 412-325-6900
Facebook- Official Sound Studios

Samantha@officialsoundstudios.com
GMcLane@pmi.tv

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May 12, 2011
Matthew Fridg

The Greatest Comeback Ever

Collateral Comeback

The greatest comeback ever started as a humble category intro video for the 2011 Addy’s Awards Show. The genesis of the project was a fictional band that reinvents and renames itself to the name of the category we were charged with introducing (which was Collateral Material). This was spawned from the brain of Kevin Kulesa and from this zygote, the entire PMI team was able to give it some legs. I was super excited to take Kevin’s idea and write and direct it. Zoot Dwyer handled the camera and our very own Shawn Jackson and Jack Bailey did all the sound stuff!

When the project was delivered, it was a 2 min sneak peek and a 3-part mockumentary series that follows a washed up grunge band that turns Disney pop group when the frontman negotiates a deal to get a song in a new Disney Channel original movie. With the help of some incredibly funny actors and a top rate production team, the sneak peek premiered at the Addy’s this past March. Band groupies showed up at the Addy’s event, clad in band t-shirts, to pass out flyers inviting people to the group’s Facebook page. There, the complete series was rolled out over the next few weeks.

This zany (yes, I used the word zany) web series will leave you asking one question, “WHY?” The answer is: because it’s the internet. Click the Play Now button above to watch the story unfold.

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April 7, 2011
Kevin Kulesa

Frame 01:00:03:34

After producing 634 HD Animations for News 12 New Jersey, we asked Patrick O. Young, Director, Marketing and Promotions to comment on our work for this issue of Frame. We loved his response and decided to include the entire message string from the email conversation. It’s pretty funny.

Kevin:
Hello Rick,

This month we would like to feature the News 12 animations in our email blast/blog and it is my fortunate/unfortunate assignment to write it. The usual format calls for a quote and client perspective on the project. You would be making my life a bit easier by indulging me with some quick and clever client copy related to the assignment and results…perhaps a dash of compliment and smattering of praise.

Thanks and best to you.

Kevin

Patrick:
How about this:

News 12 New Jersey, a 24-hour local news channel based in Edison, NJ, does more than reach 1.8 million homes in the Garden State. It shouts out at least eight times an hour to communities in the fourteen counties of northern and central New Jersey. Now before you say, “What’s the big deal? They’ve been doing that for ten years already,” let’s shine a little light on the history and the current events of News 12′s involvement with PMI/Pittsburgh.

The shout-out concept began around 2001 when, to illustrate its community awareness and sensitivity, News 12 would bump to commercial breaks with an animated “wallpaper” look over an announce and music bed. The original wallpaper animation was developed and overseen by PMI powerhouse Christa Humphrey. It was a daunting process to create more than 400 individual pieces back then, and it rose to better than 500 individual pieces over the years, as an additional series was overlaid to shout-out, “Hey (location) – your ‘Weather On The 1s’ is next on News 12 New Jersey. As local as local news gets.” The die had been cast, we realized, when reporters & photographers in the field encountered shout-outs coming their way – endearingly parroted by people who not only got the concept, but also wanted to play along!

Fast-forward to 2010 and the challenge facing News 12 New Jersey as it went from SD to HDTV presentation: the “old stuff” just wouldn’t do, and heaven forbid we just “stretch” the animation to fit the new format. A call went out to PMI, to the daylight designers and as well the midnight toilers: time to run off another 500 individual animations, but with a fresh design and in HD to boot!

Here’s a re-creation of a conversation misremembered by your humble scribe:
– PMI: “So, how do you want it to look?”
– N12NJ: “Completely different, one of a kind, in 3D.”
– PMI: “What’s your color palette?”
– N12NJ: “Hmm, maybe some blues, some reds, even some golden yellow elements.”
– PMI: “Is this supposed to reflect your overall look?”
– N12NJ: “Yes, well, maybe. Another division is working on that internally.”
– PMI: “Should we be talking to them, so we can coordinate our efforts?”
– N12NJ: “Not necessarily. They’ve already been at this for a good long while. But we are getting a new set.”
– PMI: “Can you give us an idea what it looks like?”
– N12NJ: “Completely different, one of a kind, in 3D.”
– PMI: “So we should match that?”
– N12NJ: “Sure, why not.”

and so on. With the barest minimum to begin with, the team at PMI began to craft these interstitial ten-second animations, a 3D look, in widescreen, in HD. Then, from the moment the first batch were ready, they knocked the socks off News 12 Networks management. They had been working with an outside agency for more than a year, and had yet to distill a new look-&-feel for the product or even a news open (more on that later). Yet here was News 12 New Jersey working with PMI, dressing up the product on the same timeline/deadline as operations, becoming ready for the News 12 New Jersey transition to HD, with a “temporary” look for the animated interstitials.

The point of this meditation: Thanks to Kevin Kulesa and the team at PMI, what could have been a nightmare project was actually desired, designed and delivered. Distinctively, definitely on time and to the delight of the channel’s multiple audiences, behind-the-scenes and at home in their living rooms.

Obviously, I have enjoyed a long working relationship with PMI. I am a daily consumer of their output. I am proud of our collaborations. And, because the NJ channel still doesn’t have its “real” news open yet, I am glad that with PMI’s steadfast assistance, we interpolated the look-&-feel of the interstitials to create a “temporary” open that’s just as bold and beautiful.

Color me a fan for life of all the capable hands that have built the tradition that is PMI/Pittsburgh.

Patrick

Kevin:
Wow! Thanks. My life is easier.

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March 24, 2011
admin

Henry Posner, Jr.

I’m sad to share that Henry Posner Jr., one of my good friends and a person who also has been my mentor in business for the past 30 years, passed away yesterday at the age of 93. I first met Henry when I was employed at WPGH-TV in the late 70’s and he later became the primary investor and majority shareholder in PMI, when I began this business in 1985. If it were not for his financial backing and support for the 15 years that followed, PMI would not be where we are today. Even when he was no longer involved in this company, he was always concerned about our success and would never hesitate to offer sound business advice when we’d get together periodically for lunch.

A kind and gentle man, with a brilliant entrepreneurial flair and a philanthropist’s heart, Henry is no doubt advising many in heaven today what their next business move should be. Thanks Henry for all you did for me, this company and the lives of many people here in Pittsburgh and around the world. Without question, you’ll be missed my friend.

Dave Case
(Incidentally, Henry always called me Dave, and I really didn’t mind.)

If you’d like to read more about Henry’s life, click here.

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