Posts

Was Columbus the first to sail to the New World?

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We love projects like this! A call from our friend Tom Abraham of the Anthony J. Abraham Foundation set us  on an interesting quest.  He invited us to join him as  he assisted  The Phoenicia Expedition.  Their  mission  is to prove that the Phoenicians  crossed the oceans centuries before 1492.  How could we resist?

According to sponsor Pioneer Expeditions, “The Phoenician Ship Expedition is an investigation into one of the world’s  greatest maritime  mysteries, the date of the first circumnavigation of Africa.    It is an ambitious project, to build a replica  ship then test her in some of the  world’s most treacherous seas.  The journey has taken over two years and covered more than twenty thousand  miles.  What they discovered is astounding.  A Phoenician ship had the capacity to circumnavigate Africa two thousand years before the first European, Bartolomeu Dias, rounded the Cape of Good Hope.”

They did it by building an exact replica of a Phoenician sailing vessel built based  on archeological evidence gained from a shipwreck found in the Mediterranean decades ago.

Under  the watchful eye of Captain Philip Beale an ex Royal Naval officer the vessel was assembled from the native wood and materials found in the area of modern day Lebanon and Syria.  The ancient Phoenicians would have found the same materials.

Since the beginning of the expedition the vessel and intrepid crew of adventurers  travelled from Syria through the Middle East, Africa and to the UK.  They have weathered storms, winds and primitive living conditions on board and persevered.

The Expedition sailed 6000 miles across the Atlantic before arriving in Miami.   The Captain is convinced that if he and crew could do it in this vessel, the Phoenicians of 600 BC, known for being innovators, entrepreneurs and explorers,  could have done it as well.

Our job was to capture the arrival in Miami (greeted by Miami Dade fire boats saluting this fantastic accomplishment with a water salute) and its arrival at its host dock at Miami’s own fantastic Shake-a-Leg community in Coconut Grove.

They were greeted by Miami dignitaries, Shake-a-Leg president Harry Horgan and Tom and Norma Abraham from the Foundation.

The Multivision crew got to be on the Phoenicia and on a chase boat.   We also captured  Drone videography.   All of this will support a documentary being made about pre-Columbian travel to the Americas.

This was an exciting project for us. It’s not everyday that we at Multivision gets to help capture history in the making.

 

 

My Memories of Kirk Douglas

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Bob Berkowitz wrote the following blog upon learning of the passing of Icon Kirk Douglas.  I wanted to share it with you.
“With the passing of this Hollywood Icon,  I remember the day I spent with him  and his lovely wife Anne back in the 1980’s.
I was working to help my mentor Jay Weiss who was being honored by  the Weitzman Institute of Science in Israel.
Founded in 1934 and located in Rehovot, Israel, south of Tel Aviv, The Weitzman Institute is a world leading research institution in natural and exact sciences.
It has a long history of investigation and discovery.   Their basic mission is advancing science.
It educates a large portion of Israel’s scientific leadership and helps  advance science literacy in school.
Kirk and Jay were close friends and spent a lot of time socially together with their wives Renee and Anne.
Both Jay Weiss and Kirk Douglas greatly  supported the extraordinary work of this remarkable research institute.
I was honored to make a film tribute and shoot a segment with Kirk and Anne in their beautiful home in LA.  I worked with Anne to set up the shoot and  to put together an LA crew.
It was a pleasure to meet and work with him.  Kirk  was a gentleman and a consummate professional.”

Multivision contributes to the “State of the County Address”

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Each year the Miami Dade county Mayor gives his report to the community in  a detailed “State of the County” address. It is  an important moment for the “strong” Mayor of one of the nations largest counties each year.

This year Miami Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez chose the fabulous Frost Science museum as the site of his address. As this was to be the Mayors  last State of the County address  (his tenure  has timed out) he wanted to do it up big- and that he did.

He and the county communications team decided to create a “TED Talk”- like presentation backed up with video, images graphics and timed visual support.

January 14th he delivered his presentation to a packed house of governmental officials, county employees, community leaders and interested citizens. It was also live-streamed over the county television channel.

At Multivision we were asked to help Port Miami do its section of this presentation and over a 2 week period helped put together the Port’s part of the address.

Along with our good friends at Bermello Ajamil we created a 3 minute look at the Port now- and in the future.

Several drone sessions over 2 weeks  showcased a full Port with all  8 terminals filled to capacity on cruise days. We also focused on new innovations that are part of the Cargo capabilities of the Port. This includes the arrival of the largest Cargo container vessel ever to call on a Florida Port- the French ship CGM Magellan.

A Bermello Ajamil created 3D fly through showcased new terminals for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL, MSC and Virgin cruise lines as well as future developments at the Port.

“ The Port was one of our first clients back in the 1980’s and we have been helping it in our own way getting the bridge and tunnels built over the years. We love the excitement of the Port and what it generates for the economy of Miami Dade. Seems like its only getting better”, says Bob Berkowitz Multivision President.

Multivision Videos …now playing on HSN and QVC

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When asked to create compelling stories to help  television networks Home Shopping Network and QVC sell their merchandise,  Tampa based TBD Safety Corporation called on Multivision  to help in the task.

 

The goal here was to support the “on-air” talent with stories that showcase the products being offered by the broadcast sales networks nationwide.   Several new innovative products  were designed for safety and ease of access were showcased in a series of Multivision created videos shot over 4 days.

These short video segments were for everything from 911 access devices and new cell phones to automotive safety devices and were created to augment sales both on  air and on line.

Multivision Helps Aquinas Institute

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Aquinas Institute of St. Louis, Missouri called on Multivision  to help tell the story of the Catholic graduate school.

The Dominican institute offers graduate level courses in theology  and Philosophy.   They also offer Masters and Ph.d programs in Divinity, Healthcare  Ministry and many other advanced  courses of study.

 

 

 

Multivision was asked to create multiple programs for fundraising  and recruitment.   The Multivision crew spent several days in St. Louis interviewing key administration faculty members, students and alumni to tell the story.

 

 

Multivision used drone shots of the campus, as well as shots of adjacent St. Louis University  to create a motivational and enticing picture of the Institute, its campus life and mission.

The finished production was  premiered at an award ceremony and Gala on November 7th.

 

Multivision helps introduce Anatomie to the world

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Anatomie founders Kate and Shawn Boyer had to tell their story to thousands of travel consultants.   They asked Multivision to help.

Multivision created several videos introducing Anatomie to potential new clients.  Kate and Shawn told the story of the their company from it’s humble  beginning in the trunk of their car .   They described their slow but steady inroads in the travel fashion industry.  Today they are recognized as world class travel fashion manufacturers and our video showcased that success.

Anatomie is all about travel and their amazing clothes  are perfect for the lady on the go.  Multivision showcased the  ease of packing the quality light weight clothing.   Multivision’s goal  to focus on a  central message-traveling is easier with Anatomie.

Studio sessions and location videography were used to create  a key branding statement for Anatomie.   Multivision was honored to add fashion to our extensive branding and promotional resume.

 

 

Cleaning up Blue Green Algae Blooms –thanks to AECOM      

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AECOM has been busy innovating and starting
to solve one of Florida’s biggest problems-the blue green algae that has
been showing up on many state waterways. And once again they called on us
to help tell this story.

 

The project has been a pre-cursor to what AECOM hopes to lead
to a bigger governmental response and the building of large treatment
plants that will help remove the nutrients in the water flowing
from Lake Okeechobee.   This would help solve the Algae problem that is caused by these releases.

This has caught the interest of the Army Corp of engineers, the State of Florida and many of the affected counties.

“Our job was to create a demonstration documentary to show
that something can be done to help eliminate this horrible
blue green algae”, says Multivision’s Bob Berkowitz. The technology
is there and AECOM is showing that it can be done.”

“Our camera crews used drones to help showcase the problem and interviewed AECOM scientists, engineers and concerned citizens to tell the story and create a compelling case as to  why this action must be taken soon”.

We are always “ready to go” when it comes to helping our clients, and the public good at the same time.

Click HERE to watch the video.

 

 

 

 

Multivision Helps Southern Glazers Reach 20,000 Employees

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When you do business in 44 states and want to reach all of your employees including those in Canada and The Virgin Islands  and you don’t want to create  a traveling nightmare- you hold a nationally broadcasted video stream. That’s what Multivision was asked to do-along with creating  all the content for the 60-minute broadcast.

The show emanated from the fabulous Faena Hotel on Miami beach and included a Multivision created opening theme song, multiple pre-recorded presentations, and some humorous interludes and transitions. A huge LED video backdrop acted as a set for the talk show theme and a 5 camera shoot brought the show together and made for a seamless technical presentation.  “It’s not easy to make a compelling and fun presentation that can appeal to employees of all levels-but, that’s what we did and it was very well-received” explained company president Bob Berkowitz.
Creating video streamed meetings is “the rage” these days and we are doing more of them- but the difficult part is making them upbeat, fun, informative and entertaining- and getting the “production values” right. The proof is how many people stay tuned into the stream and watched the whole show. Multivision  and our client  Southern Glazers were very pleased.

A winning Presentation wins deals – and National Awards

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The renown architect, Philip Johnson, earned his architecture degree at Harvard University. Years later he returned to lecture at his alma mater.

“What is the most important thing about architecture?” Johnson asked his students.  

“To honor the history of architects who have come before us” one student answered.

Johnson shook his head no.

“To build a structure that meets the needs of the occupants and the community” another suggested.

“No.” Johnson said again.

“To build sustainable structures that enhance their surroundings.”

“No.”

“To build on the traditions of the past while advancing the technologies of the present.”

“No.”

“The most important thing about architecture is… to get the job.” Johnson told his students. “Because if you don’t get the job, nothing else you want to do matters. It doesn’t matter how talented you are, how educated you are, how creative you are. If you don’t get the job you don’t get to use any of those things.”

The most important part of any business is getting the job. Because if you don’t win the proposal, convince your customers, and get a signed contract, nothing else matters.

That’s why when it was Miami’s turn to tell the NFL why the city should host the 2020 Super Bowl, the Miami Host committee called Multivision. They knew that we would use the latest video technology to best showcase all the reasons why Miami should be awarded its 54th Super Bowl. They knew that Multivision could convince the NFL Owners that Miami should be the center  of the football world for the 100th anniversary of the NFL.

“Pitching jobs for clients is what we do,” said Bob Berkowitz, Multivision’s founder. “This project was right up our alley.”

Miami won the bid. And now Multivision is being honored for their work on the Super bowl pitch. The Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA) has awarded Multivision their 2017 Communicator Award – a National competition that honors the best business messaging in the world. “It’s a great honor for us-to be included among the great communicators” said Bob Berkowitz.

The Communicator Awards is the leading international creative awards program honoring creative excellence for communication professionals. Founded over two decades ago, The Communicator Awards is an annual competition honoring the best in advertising, corporate communications, public relations and identity work for print, video, interactive and audio. The 2017 Communicator Awards received over 6000 entries from ad agencies, interactive agencies, production firms, in-house creative professionals, graphic designers, design firms, and public relations firms.

“Our approach showcased all of the things that we figured the majority of the NFL owners didn’t know about Miami. We thought that many of them had not been here in years- and seen the massive transformation of our downtown and waterfront areas. Our showcase of Museum Park becoming Super Bowl Park for Super bowl was icing on the cake.”

We are thrilled for this award and even happier for a Super Bowl coming to Miami!

 

Multivision produces video that helps the GMCC set new Goals, Goals, Goals

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Goals, Goals, Goals again for GMMC Impact Conference.

It was time again for the Chambers’ year end conference and Goals setting session; and just as we have for over three decades we produced the central video and year in review.

“GMCC Chairman (also President of Florida International University) Dr. Mark Rosenberg was the star this year- and we had him dancing and Lip synching to our theme song “Goals Goals Goals”,  Says Bob Berkowitz.

“ He was such a great sport and really got into it.”

Choreographer Marissa Alma Nick and four professional dancers took time from her own show to help us make everyone perform their best.   The Chamber members who participated also had a great time. Special thanks to members of the GMCC Hype committee for showing up and being a big part of the show.

Great camera and DRONE work by Matt Leone made it look great. Excellent editing by Rene Borroto and Curtis Childs pulled it all together with a music track thanks  to the help of Read Fasse and Brian Roberston.  Special thanks for production help to Jessica Anderson and Elizabeth Ferrer.

The closing shot used a classic ‘63 bright red Chevy Impala cruising down the Rickenbacker Causeway with downtown in the distance (skies skillfully made blue even on a cloudy shoot day by colorist Chelsea Fernandez).

“We love the Chamber and look forward to each June we get to show off our  ‘special brand of creative”.