Kvibe Productions opens new office in NJ
In early January 2012, Kvibe Productions opens their first office after converting from being a music company to a Film Company that also specializes in Commercials and Music Videos. Kvibe Productions owned by CEO Khoa D. Le has finally grown the company to a point where an office is needed. Since then, Kvibe has hired 4 employees. Three of the employees are Editors and Cinematographers where Kvibe will be developing them into quality filmmakers in the future. The facility is next to New Jersey City University where film students are able to apply for internship. In addition, Kvibe Productions plans to be the vendor for the marketing team at the university. Read MoreWhitney Houston Dies
As a musician and a music fan of Pop and R&B, I am sad to hear that Whitney Houston has passed away. It's an unknown cause as from what these Press Releases are saying, but I'm sure most can put their finger on what caused it. But lets not assume.From CBS:
Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48. Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, said Saturday that the singer had died, but the cause and the location of her death were unknown.
News of Houston's death came on the eve of music's biggest night — the Grammy Awards. It's a showcase where she once reigned, and her death was sure to case a heavy pall on Sunday's ceremony. Houston's longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold his annual concert and dinner Saturday; it was unclear if it was going to go forward.
At her peak, Houston the golden girl of the music industry. From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world's best-selling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.
Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits like "The Bodyguard" and "Waiting to Exhale."
She had the he perfect voice, and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer who had sex appeal but was never overtly sexual, who maintained perfect poise.
She influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey, who when she first came out sounded so much like Houston that many thought it was Houston.
But by the end of her career, Houston became a stunning cautionary tale of the toll of drug use. Her album sales plummeted and the hits stopped coming; her once serene image was shattered by a wild demeanor and bizarre public appearances. She confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her once pristine voice became raspy and hoarse, unable to hit the high notes as she had during her prime.
"The biggest devil is me. I'm either my best friend or my worst enemy," Houston told ABC's Diane Sawyer in an infamous 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side.
It was a tragic fall for a superstar who was one of the top-selling artists in pop music history, with more than 55 million records sold in the United States alone.
She seemed to be born into greatness. She was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick and the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin.
Houston first started singing in the church as a child. In her teens, she sang backup for Chaka Khan, Jermaine Jackson and others, in addition to modeling. It was around that time when music mogul Clive Davis first heard Houston perform.
"The time that I first saw her singing in her mother's act in a club ... it was such a stunning impact," Davis told "Good Morning America."
"To hear this young girl breathe such fire into this song. I mean, it really sent the proverbial tingles up my spine," he added.
Before long, the rest of the country would feel it, too. Houston made her album debut in 1985 with "Whitney Houston," which sold millions and spawned hit after hit. "Saving All My Love for You" brought her her first Grammy, for best female pop vocal. "How Will I Know," "You Give Good Love" and "The Greatest Love of All" also became hit singles.
Another multiplatinum album, "Whitney," came out in 1987 and included hits like "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" and "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."
The New York Times wrote that Houston "possesses one of her generation's most powerful gospel-trained voices, but she eschews many of the churchier mannerisms of her forerunners. She uses ornamental gospel phrasing only sparingly, and instead of projecting an earthy, tearful vulnerability, communicates cool self-assurance and strength, building pop ballads to majestic, sustained peaks of intensity."
Her decision not to follow the more soulful inflections of singers like Franklin drew criticism by some who saw her as playing down her black roots to go pop and reach white audiences. The criticism would become a constant refrain through much of her career. She was even booed during the "Soul Train Awards" in 1989.
"Sometimes it gets down to that, you know?" she told Katie Couric in 1996. "You're not black enough for them. I don't know. You're not R&B enough. You're very pop. The white audience has taken you away from them."
Some saw her 1992 marriage to former New Edition member and soul crooner Bobby Brown as an attempt to refute those critics. It seemed to be an odd union; she was seen as pop's pure princess while he had a bad-boy image, and already had children of his own. (The couple had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, in 1993.) Over the years, he would be arrested several times, on charges ranging from DUI to failure to pay child support.
But Houston said their true personalities were not as far apart as people may have believed.
"When you love, you love. I mean, do you stop loving somebody because you have different images? You know, Bobby and I basically come from the same place," she told Rolling Stone in 1993. "You see somebody, and you deal with their image, that's their image. It's part of them, it's not the whole picture. I am not always in a sequined gown. I am nobody's angel. I can get down and dirty. I can get raunchy."
It would take several years, however, for the public to see that side of Houston. Her moving 1991 rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl, amid the first Gulf War, set a new standard and once again reaffirmed her as America's sweetheart.
In 1992, she became a star in the acting world with "The Bodyguard." Despite mixed reviews, the story of a singer (Houston) guarded by a former Secret Service agent (Kevin Costner) was an international success.
It also gave her perhaps her most memorable hit: a searing, stunning rendition of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," which sat atop the charts for weeks. It was Grammy's record of the year and best female pop vocal, and the "Bodyguard" soundtrack was named album of the year.
She returned to the big screen in 1995-96 with "Waiting to Exhale" and "The Preacher's Wife." Both spawned soundtrack albums, and another hit studio album, "My Love Is Your Love," in 1998, brought her a Grammy for best female R&B vocal for the cut "It's Not Right But It's Okay."
But during these career and personal highs, Houston was using drugs. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2010, she said by the time "The Preacher's Wife" was released, "(doing drugs) was an everyday thing. ... I would do my work, but after I did my work, for a whole year or two, it was every day. ... I wasn't happy by that point in time. I was losing myself."
In the interview, Houston blamed her rocky marriage to Brown, which included a charge of domestic abuse against Brown in 1993. They divorced in 2007.
Houston would go to rehab twice before she would declare herself drug-free to Winfrey in 2010. But in the interim, there were missed concert dates, a stop at an airport due to drugs, and public meltdowns.
She was so startlingly thin during a 2001 Michael Jackson tribute concert that rumors spread she had died the next day. Her crude behavior and jittery appearance on Brown's reality show, "Being Bobby Brown," was an example of her sad decline. Her Sawyer interview, where she declared "crack is whack," was often parodied. She dropped out of the spotlight for a few years.
Houston staged what seemed to be a successful comeback with the 2009 album "I Look To You." The album debuted on the top of the charts, and would eventually go platinum.
Things soon fell apart. A concert to promote the album on "Good Morning America" went awry as Houston's voice sounded ragged and off-key. She blamed an interview with Winfrey for straining her voice.
A world tour launched overseas, however, only confirmed suspicions that Houston had lost her treasured gift, as she failed to hit notes and left many fans unimpressed; some walked out. Canceled concert dates raised speculation that she may have been abusing drugs, but she denied those claims and said she was in great shape, blaming illness for cancellations.
Read More
Feature film titled “Steps”
Eddie Harris, an executive producer and writer, approached Kvibe Productions in search for a film Director. After showing him the reels, he was impressed and decided to hire Khoa D. Le as the Director for the feature film "Steps".This will be the first feature film Khoa D. Le is directing with a SAG cast. The pre-production has started. Shoot dates will be in May or June.
Here are some pictures below.
Feature film crew for "Steps" with Director Khoa D. Le
Kvibe Productions upgrades to the Red Scarlet – X
We are proud to be the new owners of the Red Scarlet - X. It's been a Journey to get to our quality content, image quality, and on going education in the film market. But we've learned so much since the DSLR boom that we've finally have the funds to upgrade to a new tool to help with our storytelling experience.
After seeing our films in the big screens shot in the DSLR, we felt that the image quality did not hold up well compared to movies that were shot on 35mm and Red. As the result, it's been a goal to budget for better image quality to give our viewers a better experience.
So, we can't wait to start working off the scarlet early 2012. Our feature, TV Pilot, and up coming commercial gigs will make 2012 an exciting year!
Please follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/kvibeproduction
CommentsRed Scarlet X test footages from Tonaci
Hey,
So Tonaci has been a huge supporter for the Vietnamese filmmakers from America and Vietnam. As Vietnamese Film Director and supporter of the community, I'm proud to see another successful filmmaker in the scene. Tonaci's rental company seems to be doing very well and I look forward to working with him in the future when the budget permits.
Here are some footages he took to showcase the look of the new Red Scarlet X. I must say it's freaking amazing!
Comments
Progress in our feature film “Whitlock Asylum”
There has been a lot of progress in our feature film titled "Whitlock Asylum". We are on several draft revisions and will be conducting a reading for our script. I feel the writer Vito LaBruno took my story concept to the next level and has turned a concept to something that can be very successful. There are no movies that have this concept along with many scary elements.
We plan to do this film on a low budget. This will be our first feature film and if this film comes out the way we all envision, this will be a break through for all of our careers in filmmaking stylistic elements. We have an advantage over a lot of other filmmakers which are the years of experience of life endeavors and trained skill set of filmmaking. We have a unique group of talent in this company.
We plan to shoot this on the Red Scarlet or C300. We aren't really sure yet, but both cameras look very appealing to us. We love the low light capability specs of the c300, but I also love the 4k abilities which makes us very well prepared for big screen movie theaters today and for the future.
However, we are in a good position and Kvibe will not be shooting DSLR for their first feature film. I feel we need to move on from the DSLRs and start working with Hollywood standard production quality at least technically. We all know that it's not the camera, but it's the artist, content, and talent. Well, we have the content and we have the artistic talents. Why cripple the film with inferior quality because we were cheap to save a few thousand dollars?
CommentsDoing the best you can out of the situation…
Case of Guilt
Sometimes inspiration is more important than a script. This film I created is an example of that inspiration. We created this film without a script and just an idea of how to put it together. We shot this in 3 hrs from 4 am to 7 am and did our best to do it with a minimum crew. If you like it, please go to youtube and like the video as we are looking forward to making another short episode. If we reach over 100 likes, we will make another short film to continue the story.Comments
Strategic Growth Forum 2011 hosted by Ernst & Young
I'm part of the production crew back stage of this 1 amazing week of events. Tons of GREAT material, insight, advice, and just pure amazing entrepreneurs that registered for this event. First off, the production is amazing. We use a company called LMG to assist us with the stage production. There are many different vendors who are participating in this event, but the Ernst & Young production crew are fully responsible for this Ernst & Young event (well that's obvious). But being apart of this event and seeing the millions of dollars to produce this event is just an amazing experience.
The problems we had on the first day (behind the scenes) were worked out. After I got through that phase, I was able to look over other members work to soak in the knowledge that can be overwhelming. We are twittering, face booking, linkedin'ing, post daily sessions, cutting highlights on the spot, quoting speakers by the minutes, on going interviews, and more that I'm not even aware of behind the scenes.
Anyone who walks into these ballrooms or to this event, will think this is a BIG event. But any average Joe wouldn't think it would cost millions to produce this! The equipment are just overwhelming. Trucks and trucks of equipment and large amount of crew members.
Then there are evening events from dinners to concerts. While these events happen, they are setting up the evening events. It's just an amazing experience and it makes me even more knowledgeable on the films I want to produce and market to the world.
To see what the largest gathering of entrepreneurs around the world, go to www.ey.com/sgf and see these amazing speakers talk about their lives, startups, and inspiration mentoring other entrepreneurs.
CommentsCanon C300 Cinema Camera
Ready to take on the film industry? Then you’ll probably want one of these: the Canon C300 Cinema camera. The price tag isn’t for the faint of heart as it costs about $20,000. And keep dreaming if you think that includes a lens. Nevertheless, it’s an ultrapowerful camera and all things relative it really is an affordable solution for any aspiring auteur who wants to produce a professional work of moving pictures.
Yes, it achieves full HD video, but that’s just for starters. Behind the lens is a Super 35mm CMOS sensor that can deliver up to 4K resolution. That means it won’t look all grainy when your feature film hits your local cinema or that overly large big screen. A variety of lens mount options are at your disposable, but by default it will only include one.
In terms of size the Canon C300 measures 5.2 (w) x 7.0 (h) x 6.7 (d) inches, so it’s nimble, especially when positioned against other Hollywood cinema cameras. Add Canon’s WFT-E6B wireless file transmitter and the C300 can be controlled remotely using just an iPhone or tablet device.
Unfortunately, for adrenaline junkies the frame rate caps at 60fps. So no ultra slow motion, but come on, at $20k did you expect much more?
The Canon C300 can be purchased March 2012.
Read MoreA Star Is Born: Canon Launches New Digital Cinema Camera For High-Resolution Motion Picture Production
HOLLYWOOD, California, November 3, 2011/TOKYO, November 4, 2011 – Canon Inc. and Canon U.S.A., Inc. today raised the curtain on an all-new interchangeable-lens digital cinema camera that combines exceptional imaging performance with outstanding mobility and expandability to meet the demanding production needs of today’s motion picture industry. The camera, which features a newly developed Super 35 mm-equivalent approximately 8.29-megapixel CMOS sensor, will be available in two models: the EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera*, equipped with an EF lens mount for compatibility with Canon’s current diverse lineup of interchangeable EF lenses for EOS single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras and new EF Cinema Lens lineup; and the EOS C300 PL Digital Cinema Camera*, with a PL lens mount for use with industry-standard PL lenses.
The introduction of the EOS C300/C300 PL coincides with the launch of the Cinema EOS System, marking Canon’s full-fledged entry into the digital high-resolution production industry. The new professional digital cinematography system spans the lens, digital cinema camera and digitalSLR camera product categories.
Star-Studded Supporting Cast
Equipped with an EF lens mount, the EOS C300 is supported by an all-star cast of high-performance EF lenses, not only the wide array of interchangeable EF lenses for EOS SLR cameras that have earned the trust and respect of photographers around the world, but also the EF cinema lenses in the newly announced Cinema EOS System. When outfitted with a Canon EF lens, the C300′s peripheral illumination correction automatically corrects for vignetting in accordance with each lens’s optical characteristics, and enables iris control from the camera. Canon EF lenses also enable the recording of such metadata as the name of the lens used, aperture setting and shutter speed.iShow-Stopping High-Resolution Full-HD Performance
The Canon EOS C300/C300 PL’s newly developed Super 35 mm-equivalent CMOS sensor incorporates approximately 8.29 million effective pixels and has a pixel size that is larger than that for conventional professional camcorders, enabling greater light-gathering capabilities for enhanced sensitivity and reduced noise. The sensor reads Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) video signals for each of the three RGB primary colors, decreasing the incidence of moiré while realizing high resolution with 1,000 horizontal TV lines.Supported by a heightened signal read-out speed, the CMOS sensor reduces rolling shutter skews, a phenomenon prevalent with CMOS sensors in which fast-moving subjects may appear diagonally distorted. Additionally, the powerful combination of the sensor with Canon’s high-performance DIGIC DV III image processor facilitates high-precision gamma processing and smooth gradation expression.
In addition to MPEG-2 Full HD (MPEG2 422@HL compliant) compression, the EOS C300/C300 PL employs 4:2:2 color sampling for high-resolution performance that minimizes the appearance of “jaggies” at chroma edges. Additionally, with a maximum recording rate of 50 Mbps, the camera supports the recording of high-quality video.
The camera’s video and audio recording file format adopts the industry-standard MXF (Material eXchange Format), an open source file format ideally suited for non-linear editing systems. Recording to versatile, readily available CF cards, the EOS C300/C300 PL realizes high cost-performance and, equipped with two CF card slots, makes possible the simultaneous recording of video data to two CF cards.
Ready for Action
With a compact body design measuring 5.2 (w) x 7.0 (h) x 6.7 (d) inches, the Canon EOS C300/C300 PL delivers exceptional maneuverability, enabling shooting from vantage points all but inaccessible to large cinema cameras, such as close to the ground for high-impact low-angle shots, and alongside walls. In accordance with on-location shooting needs, the camera can be outfitted with a handle, grip, thumb rest and monitor unit, and offers an array of industry-standard terminals, including HD/SD-SDI video output for the external recording of high-quality video content. When using a WFT-E6B wireless file transmitter for EOS digital SLR cameras (sold separately), the EOS C300/C300 PL can be controlled remotely by means of such common devices as smartphones or tablet PCs.The camera is equipped with four start/stop buttons positioned at various locations to satisfy any preferred camera-holding style, and can be outfitted with a variety of third-party accessories, including matte boxes, follow focuses and external video and audio recorders. The unit also achieves seamless integration with third-party editing systems and provides added peace of mind through its dust-proof, drip-proof construction and built-in cooling system.
The new camera allows users to adjust image quality to match that of professional camcorders and EOS-series digital SLR cameras, and offers Canon Log Gamma, enabling flat image quality with subdued contrast and sharpness for maximum freedom in post-production editing and processing. In addition to frame rates of 59.41i, 50.00i, 29.97P, 25.00P and 23.98P, the EOS C300/C300 PL features a 24.00p mode, matching the 24 frame-per-second frame rate of film cameras for high compatibility with common film-production workflows.
Other features include fast-motion shooting, achieved by capturing fewer frames per second to create action up to 60x normal speed, and slow-motion down to 1/2.5xii made possible by capturing more frames per second. Frame rates between 1 and 60 frames per second (fps)iii can be adjusted in increments of 1 fps. Additionally, a selection of Custom Pictures lets users freely adjust image quality for greater control over how content looks.
Pricing and availability
The Canon EOS C300 (EF mount) digital cinema camera is scheduled to be available in late January 2012 for an estimated list price of $20,000. The Canon EOS C300 PL (PL mount) digital cinema camera is scheduled to be available in late March 2012 for an estimated list price of $20,000.For more information and to view online demonstration footage of the new products please visit: www.canoncinemaeos.com
About Canon Inc.
Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leader in the fields of professional and consumer imaging equipment and information systems. Canon’s extensive range of products includes copying machines, inkjet and laser printers, cameras, video equipment, medical equipment and semiconductor-manufacturing equipment. Originally established in 1937 as Precision Optical Industry, Co., Ltd., a camera manufacturer, Canon has successfully diversified and globalized to become a worldwide industry leader in professional and consumer imaging systems and solutions. With over 195,000 employees worldwide, Canon has manufacturing and marketing subsidiaries in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania; and a global R&D network with companies based in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Canon’s consolidated net sales for fiscal 2010 (ended December 31, 2010) totalled $45.8 billion (at an exchange rate of ¥81 = US$1). Visit the Canon Inc. website at: www.canon.comAbout Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With more than $45 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks fourth overall in patent holdings in the U.S. in 2010†, and is one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2011. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.