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DAV Productions
May/June 2006 Newsletter
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A NEW SPIN ON CONTENT: How to Entertain AND Inform. . .
Every
meeting planner and producer strives to put on an
unforgettable event…one
that allows for them to entertain AND inform their
audience. And we all realize that we need to escape the
confines of pre-fabricated traditional hard sets and
standard PowerPoint. While there are many ways to
accomplish this, DAV Productions has found a way to that
works - the Virtual Set.
A key component in the
virtual set is the 15’ x 40’
wide-format backdrop that can be adapted to suit any type of
event, including general sessions, black tie affairs and
award shows. DAV, in conjunction with the Tracy Locke
Partnership, recently used the virtual set to create
backdrops for Pepsi’s Media Summit at Mandalay Bay Hotel &
Casino. The versatility of instantly changing backdrops
gave Pepsi the flexibility to move between their various
brands seamlessly, and the 1,600 attendees all had a good
view during the media-rich event. "Having a 600 square foot
video screen, which is the size of a small Manhattan condo,
really helped bring the audience closer to the action.
Since this was a media event, it really helped the audience
connect with what was being played," says Jae Thiele, the
event’s Media Director.
In
addition to virtual sets, DAV Productions used the system
during this past holiday party to display graphics and media
content and provide a virtual stage for various
entertainment acts.
This
wide-format backdrop gives you the flexibility of having a
CEO standing in front of his yearly outlook during a general
session, the CFO displaying his financial forecast, the
Director of Marketing previewing upcoming advertising spots
and, in the evening, having an orchestra play in front of
the Bellagio water fountains for a dinner function.
The
virtual set allows you to inform and entertain guests while
creating a visually-stimulating, media-rich environment,
even if budget constraints seem to create an obstacle. By
leveraging DAV Productions’ internal Media Services, we can
create the media internally for shows, helping to defray
some of the costs typically associated with wide-format
stage sets.
For more
information, please contact DAV Productions offices.
(Top of
Newsletter)
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MORE THAN A POLITICAL CHALLENGE. . .
Working with White House and political advance teams
presents challenges unlike any that you'll find in
the corporate arena. Through our experiences
working with these advance teams, the communications
staff, and Secret Service, we are able to share some
tips with you to make the process of working for and
with the White House as trouble-free as possible.
First
and foremost, it’s important to never let your political
views alter your professionalism. It would be
unfortunate to jeopardize future opportunities with such
a high-profile position because of personal politics.
Next,
be sure to allow plenty of time in the planning
process. The Secret Service is required to thoroughly
search all equipment and personal property, and this can
take hours, depending on the size of the event. Get a
head start on the process by filing all necessary
paperwork for background checks well in advance. Along
those lines, one piece of advice given by the White
House is to take the same amount of care when preparing
for this type of event as you would while preparing for
a flight.
Don’t
pack unnecessary items that could be considered
dangerous, such as scissors, knives and other tools.
Keep them consolidated and bring along as few as
possible. And like airport security, the Secret Service
listens to everything being said within earshot, so
avoid making jokes or comments that could end up you
facing a different sort of ‘punchline.’ Realizing that
working with the White House is unlike most other events
will help to ensure your meeting or event is a positive
one.
(Top of Newsletter)
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MEDIA
SPOTLIGHT - WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE
In this month’s
media spotlight, we’ve selected our new motion graphics reel,
created by Senior Motion Graphics Editor Joshua Spool.
This reel
showcases our motion graphics capabilities, providing clients
with ideas that may help their next event.
Click on the still photo of the reel on the left or
click here! Just make sure you have the volume turned
up on your computer . . . Welcome to Our House!
(Top of Newsletter)
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WHAT’S NEW: The
President, New Branding, U3 & Military Documentary . . .
What has DAV
been up to lately? We’ve been part of some pretty unique
and sometimes historic events, from providing technical support
to the Venetian Hotel & Casino for a Presidential appearance,
providing a location shoot for Ultimate Fighting to
helping an international corporation re-brand its image.
We supplied
audio consoles, speakers and press bridges for President Bush’s
visit to the Venetian. DAV worked hand-in-hand with White House
Communications staff to also provide a state-of-the-art intercom
system for the event that had more than 500 attendees and
national press.
Also at the
Venetian Hotel & Casino, DAV created a setting for Manpower Inc.
to unveil and display its new brand logo, marketing materials
and advertising campaign. The event featured multimedia
projectors and screens, as well as a life-sized storefront that
highlighted the refreshed Manpower Inc. image.
Another
interesting event was accomplished in conjunction with Global
Effects Productions and Make It Happen Productions. We turned
our 1,300 square foot studio into a green screen virtual arena
for Spike TV’s Ultimate Fighting 3 promos featuring Team
Shamrock and Team Ortiz.
Finally, DAV
produced the first-ever documentary showcasing Nellis Air Force
Base’s efforts to preserve an area outside of Tonopah, Nevada,
known as Cactus Range. This documentary highlights two families
who lived on the range during the early 1900’s, and the DAV
production staff was the first civilian videography crew ever
allowed on the site.
The
documentary will be playing at the Springs Preserve Cultural
Fair in Summerlin, at 4 pm on
Saturday the 20th. The fair celebrates the city’s
history & heritage, and features food vendors, musical
performances & a documentary film festival.
These events provide just a glimpse into
the variety of companies we’ve been fortunate enough to work
with in recent months.
Click on the photo of Matt shooting at the Mine
(on the left) or
click here to view a short highlight of this documentary
titled Cactus Range: End of an Era.
(Top of
Newsletter)
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STAFF PICKS - BEN & RYAN'S FAVORITE VEGAS PLACES TO GO FOR UNDER $20
It's hard
to find good places in Vegas for under $20 nowadays, but
here are a few local hangout spots that you may want to
check out!
1.
Laughing Jackelope:
The Laughing Jackelope is on Las Vegas Blvd., right across
from the Mandalay Bay. If you weren't looking for it, you'd
drive right by it and not even notice. We think it's one of
Vegas' hidden treasures! According to the story, the owner
was down and out, and hitchhiking to Vegas with his last
dough, when he saw a "Laughing Jackelope", a jack rabbit
with antlers, out in the desert. The mythical creature
brought him luck and he opened the bar with his winnings.
You'll often find a few DAV employees in there on the
weekends. Stop in and ask for Debbie.
2.
Shady Grove Lounge @ The
Silverton: The Shady Grove brought
the great outdoors inside. Just because it would be
FUN, they brought in an Airstream trailer, created a
mini-bowling alley inside and built a lounge under the
canopy of an aspen tree. So, grab your favorite beverage and
finger food and shoot a few games of pool. If you’re a
little less active, kick back in their overstuffed, plush
leather chairs and watch your favorite game on over 12
plasmas tuned in just for you. Shady Grove is a great place
for fun, friends and atmosphere. This spot has become
a popular happy hour spot among DAV employees.
3.
Jillian's Bowling Alley &
Billiard Hall: Ever have one of
those nights where you just can't decide what to do? We have
just the thing. Jillian's is a 42,000-square-foot
entertainment and dining complex with something for everyone
... and we do mean everyone. Looking for a little friendly
competition? Try the 9-Ball Lounge for a game of pool or the
Hi-Life Lanes with over-the-top bowling, featuring 12 lanes,
video imaging on giant screens, a video DJ, theatrical light
show, full bar and a dance floor. Jillian's also offers an
"Amazing Games" area with the latest electronic games as
well as classic favorites such as Skee-Ball.
4.
The Stratosphere Hotel &
Casino Tower: At 1,149 feet, the
Stratosphere Tower is the tallest freestanding observation
tower in the United States and the tallest building west of
the Mississippi River. From the observation decks, lounge
and restaurant, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Las
Vegas Strip and the surrounding valley. Visitors to the
Tower are whisked from ground level to the observation decks
in less than 30 seconds in double-decker elevators,
traveling at speeds of 1,800 feet per minute or three floors
a second. Thrill seekers can enjoy excitement over 100
stories above the ground on the Big Shot, X Scream and
Insanity thrill rides. If your stomach can handle it, try
the Big Shot . . . it's the best ride in Vegas!!!
5.
The Peppermill:
The acclaimed Fireside Lounge at the Peppermill was voted
one of the “…places to see” by Casino Magazine, Best
Cocktail Waitresses by Las Vegas Magazine, Best
Exotic Drinks and Most Romantic Bar by Menu Magazine.
It’s been featured in such films as “Casino” and ”Showgirls”
and seen on TV in “CSI: Las Vegas” and “Elimidate.” Las
Vegas’ original ultra lounge, the Fireside redefines the
notion of a dark room. It is the brightest dark room we've
ever seen, or maybe it's the darkest bright room. Rimmed
with mirrors, filled with low, cozy booths and anchored at
the south end of the room by a fire pit, with flames
erupting from a pool of glowing white water. Bring that
unsuspecting soul to the Peppermill, grab a seat by the fire
pit and order a pair of mai tais or The Fireside’s trademark
Scorpion. You won’t regret it.
(Top of
Newsletter)
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VEGAS FUN FACTS
In 1953, the
New York Times reported that there were 1,800 hotel rooms in Las
Vegas and the average stay there was 3 days. A first-class
hotel charged $7.50 per day, and a motel charged $3.00 per day.
As of March
2006, the LVCVA reported that there were 131,119 rooms in Las
Vegas with an average daily room rate of $122.07. Sin City saw
9,561,367 visitors within the first three months of 2006 which
is a 1.8% increase from last year. Lastly, Clark County saw
nearly $2.8 billion in gaming revenue for the first quarter of
2006, a 14.1% increase from 2005.
(Top of Newsletter)
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WHERE IN THE
WORLD IS THE TAPE BALL??
When visiting DAV
Productions' headquarters in Las Vegas, many of our
production friends are amazed at our Tape Ball. For those
not familiar with what a tape ball is, check out the photo
to the left. When equipment from shows returns to its home
in Las Vegas, the tape used to mark the show name and client
is removed and added to the tape ball. If you've done
a show with us, I'm sure there's a piece of gaff tape with
your name on it somewhere in there!
Tape Ball Vitals
Birthday: Not quite sure,
but it was born sometime in late 2002
Weight: 45.5 lbs.
Circumference: 2' 1"
Approximate length of
tape: 4,095 ft. (3/4 of a mile)
The infamous DAV Tape Ball
always seems to make its way onto show site . . . check out
where it ends up each month!
This month, the tape ball has
found its way into our own studio where we're preparing to shoot
some green screen for Hendon Properties; an event we're
working on with Baskow & Associates.
In December of 2005
we announced the opening of this 1,300 square foot full-service
soundstage at our Las Vegas location.
Our studio is broken down into
two areas, Studios A and B. Studio A features a double
entrance for premium sound isolation, white seamless walls
and green-screen chroma key capability, a wraparound drape
track and control room large enough to comfortably fit the
newest equipment. Studio B is a 10-foot by 12-foot audio
studio that sits adjacent to the control room, featuring a
Whisper Room® voiceover recording booth.
Since opening our studio,
we’ve hosted and produced a wide variety of shoots that
highlight just a small portion of our capabilities. We
built a full aerobics studio for a three-camera fitness
video, shot an instructional poker DVD for Absolute Poker
and created green-screen vignettes for Spike TV’s
Ultimate Fighting Championship™.
Other
amenities include a green room, makeup and wardrobe area,
production offices and a full-service lunchroom.
Click here
for our
studio information sheet or contact
DAV Productions at 702.795.8805.
(Top of
Newsletter)
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DAV Productions
711 Pilot, Suite F, Las Vegas, NV 89119
(P) 702.795.8805 (F) 702.795.8806 |
