What's New at Mike Pulcinella Videography

A CrossFit video series!

2012-01-08T06:15:00.000-08:00

Coming soon! An instructional series for CrossFit!

I've been shooting instruction about individual CrossFit movements as well as intense training sessions.

As always I will be digging into what CrossFit IS and what it means to the people that love it.

Stay tuned!

The Ultimate Transformation Challenge!

2011-12-28T06:56:00.000-08:00

I'm very proud to announce the release of a new mini documentary.

I was invited to observe Thomas Phillips' UTC in Marlboro, New Jersey and create a short documentary about some of the body transformations that he has helped people achieve.

The result is this inspiring 25 minute video which has been getting some really great feedback so far!

To learn more go to TheUltimateTransformationChallenge.com

My first strictly voice over job!

2011-12-11T07:03:00.000-08:00

I'm very happy and proud to announce that for the first time I've been asked to perform a voice over for a video I did not shoot!

The great Pavel Ythjall directed a promo for the new iSport athlete's headphones and together he and I came up with this voiceover for the behind the scenes video shot by some of his crew!

Thanks Pavel! I've been wanting to do this since I was 12 years old!

And now a word from our sponsor!

2011-10-02T08:26:00.000-07:00

I love making documentaries, and I'm grateful for the enjoyment that people seem to get out of them.

But I also have to pay the bills!

Luckily, most of my documentaries are sponsored by supplement companies. That means that they pay for the expense of shooting and editing, in return for me helping them sell their products.

In order to save money, the commercials I make are cobbled together from the documentary footage. We don't have formal "commercial shoots"...at least not yet!

So here are a few of my recent commercials. I keep it fairly simple, no complex motion graphics, just a few clips from my documentary footage, some descriptive voice over, the product shots and music.

Now that my business is growing and I've relocated near New York, I hope to soon be creating more planned out and scripted commercials for some of these products.

Where are all the new Mike Pulcinella videos??

2011-09-03T14:04:00.001-07:00

For those of you who are wondering why you have not been seeing many new videos from me...here's what's going on.

1. When you make videos at this level of the sport there are many people that have to approve each video before it can be posted.

In the old days I would just shoot something and post it on Youtube when it was done. Now there is the sponsoring supplement company, the sponsoring magazine, the athlete and sometimes the athlete's representation to go through. Very often the magazine website wants exclusive rights to show the video for a time. When we later post on Youtube the video must be reconfigured and re-exported for that venue, logos and commercials added or subtracted, etc. All of this slows the process down from me to you.

2. I have been very fortunate to have many projects that I am working on for a variety of clients.

However, still being a one man operation, this often means that they don't all get done as quickly as we'd like. I am producing videos all the time but some are more specialized and not as high profile as the bodybuilding documentaries. Some of this work you may never see.

3. I am working on serial projects for the future.

In other words, like a TV series, I have to have many episodes "in the can", as they say, before we begin posting so that we aren't scrambling week to week to make the deadline.

4. A lot of the work I am doing is non-documentary work.

Commericals take time to produce...a lot of time. A 90 second commerical can take as long to perfect as a 12 minute documentary clip.

5. I am moving in two weeks!

In order to be where the action is I am moving closer to NYC! But I am also a single man and so the entire moving process, from start to finish, including packing all of my stuff these past few weeks is mostly on my shoulders. Imagine doing that and editing documentary videos AND taking care of the paperwork, invoicing, taxes, etc, for a small business and cooking and cleaning and doing laundry etc etc! I'm not complaining, it's what I asked for and I enjoy the work, but there are only so many hours in a day.

6. The hurricane disrupted normal operations for MHP and MuscleMeds.

Fairfield has been flooded all week. They have been unable to get to their offices and so the videos that I have done have not been able to be approved and passed on to the other people necessary to approve them. I am hoping we will be able to resume normal operation this coming week. Please note that if you've oereded any supplements from either of these companies your shipments may be delayed.

Once again, I am grateful for your enthusiam for my work and thankful for your understanding. I assure you this is a transition period for me. Once I get settled in my new apartment and establish my editing studio MIke Pulcinella Video Productions will be going full speed ahead like never before!!

Thanks,
Mike Pulcinella
9/3/11

Jon Delarosa and Victor Martinez

2011-08-23T18:02:00.000-07:00

From working inside a 100 degree elevator shaft to a tough shoulder workout with Victor Martinez, we condense up-and-coming young bodybuilder Jon Delarosa’s day down to 5 1/2 minutes as he counts down to the USAs.

In this MHP QUICKSHOT Jon, 10 days out from the NPC USA Championships, talks about the support system that has brought him to the brink of professional bodybuilding.

Click HERE to view a longer version of this video with the full shoulder training session.

Unsung Hero: Craig Richardson

2011-08-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a recent online series I did for MHP about little known but fantastic bodybuilder Craig Richardson.

You may not be aware of Craig but he’s an Olympia competitor, has been in the sport for 18 years and has an awesome, classic physique!

A few of my recent videos you might enjoy

2011-08-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

Big News!

2011-08-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

I'm getting tired of the 2.5 to 3+ hr commute from the suburbs of Philadelphia to North Jersey, NYC, Brooklyn and Long Island for my video shoots.

So I found an apartment and I'm moving to Cedar Grove, NJ to be closer to where the action is! 30 minutes from NYC. 10 minutes from MHP!

By mid September I should be all settled in and ready to concentrate on producing more and better documentary and training videos! And who knows what else! I'm very excited about this new stage of my life and career!

Until then, please bear with me. It's going to be tough to produce videos quickly while packing up and moving so I may fall behind. There's lots to be done!

Is Kai Greene REALLY working with George Farah?!? Mike Pulcinella Interview with MassMuscleTV

2011-04-25T06:58:00.000-07:00

My very first Skype interview!

Caleb from Mass Muscle TV did a great job with this, cutting in shots from my documentaries and generally keeping things moving. I hope you all like it!

Blogger cuts off some of the video image so click on the name at the top of the video to watch it on Youtube.

Rodney Roller: RAW

2011-04-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

In my new documentary, “Rodney Roller: RAW” we take a look at one of the most outspoken and entertaining personalities in bodybuilding.

Rodney “Raw Power” Roller, Xero Limits spokesman and roving reporter for MuscularDevelopment.com, challenges himself to take his training further than he ever has before as he prepares for the 2010 North American Championships. His ultimate quest...a pro card.

What began as essentially an extended commerical for the Xero Limits H.U.G.E. Mass bulking up program (https://www.getxl.com/), morphed into something more and in “Rodney Roller: RAW” we get the inside scoop as Rodney, at 42 years of age, is challenged both physically and mentally.

“Rodney Roller: RAW” is an honest look at the humor, the mindset and the work ethic of one of the hardest working, strongest, funniest and most determined bodybuilders on the masters scene. In this documentary we get a raw look at a Rodney Roller that few have seen.

Watch as he accepts the Xero Limits challenge, subjects himself to greater pain and deprivation that he has ever known, battles injury and doubt and eventually triumphs as he steps on stage in the best shape of his life.

This is Rodney Roller: RAW.

CLICK HERE to view Part 1, "A different kind of pain."

This will be a 6 part series shown only on my Pulcinella Productions page on Muscular Development.

Pulcinella Productions page to debut on Muscular Development.com!

2011-03-16T16:27:00.000-07:00

Big announcement!

Muscular Development.com has given me my own page on the website!

It's called Pulcinella Productions and it's a pretty big deal for me! The Pulcinella Productions page will be a place to view teasers, rare outtakes, sample clips and raw footage from some of my newest projects before anyone else gets to see them.

In conjuntion with my Facebook page, I want the Pulcinella Productions page on MD to be THE place to go to see my work in progress, as well as some special suprises that I have up my sleeve.

Tomorrow we will be posting the first of a two part Kai Greene instructional training video that we shot in Columbus last week.

The video will be posted tomorrow, exclusively on the Pulcinella Productions page.

Thanks to Steve Blechman, Adman, Robbie, Butch, Mike and the entire MD crew for this opportunity and their support!

Mike Pulcinella Video Productions shoots a controversial play!

2011-02-11T16:18:00.000-08:00

A non-bodybuilding project for MPVP!!

Fever Dream Repertory's production of Peter Sagal's Denial was a hit and we were lucky enough to have been picked to shoot one of the live performances.

Live performance being what it is, the resulting DVD isn't perfect. There are audience noises and a few line flubs, but the SPIRIT of the play certainly came through, as you can see from this very dramatic scene in which a Neo-Nazi Holocaust denier confronts the author of a book about the death camps.

Cast appearing in this clip:

Michael Brinckman..........Adam Ryberg

Lawrence H. Geller.....Noah Gomrowitz

Arnold Kendall............Bernard Cooper

Nancy Segal...................Abby Gersten

We are happy to be branching out from the bodybuilding world in this way and hope to have more non-BB projects in the near future!

Iron Sport Gym's Planet Fitness response

2011-01-22T06:02:00.000-08:00

My cousin Steve Pulcinella, owner of Iron Sport Gym, asked me to help him make a response to those popular and funny Planet Fitness videos which have been making fun of hard core bodybuilders and lifters. I'm sure you've seen them. Here's a popular one...

And here is Steve's response...

(Brother Dave makes a brief cameo toward the end!)

Iron Sport's video has gone viral in the bodybuilding and weightlifting community! People must have been waiting for something just like this as a rebuttal to the Planet Fitness commercials. The appreciation has been staggering!

Expressing thanks.

2010-12-14T07:35:00.000-08:00

I just want to express my thanks for my old friends who have stuck with me, all the new friends I made this year, all the supporters of my work, my health, my family and my life.

I truly live in a constant state of wonder and thankfulness.

Raising the Bar and OVERKILL holiday special!

2010-12-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

Some have said that the Raising the Bar Trilogy and Kai Greene: OVERKILL are some of the best documentaries ever made about the sport of bodybuilding. See for yourself and take advantage of holiday discounts now through December 31st.

Save almost $40 off the price of the individual DVDs when you buy both!

Order Now!

Novatest commercial

2010-11-13T05:54:00.000-08:00

Check out my latest promo for Xero Limits.

It features Rodney Roller, my brother Dave Pulcinella and a young bodybuilder by the name of Xavier Velez.

Here's what the supplement company has to say about the product...

THE SEARCH IS OVER! The ultimate testosterone-boosting anabolic supplement is here at last! Thanks to extensive research and development, the scientists at Xero Limits have developed the most potent anti-aromatase complex ever created --
Extra Strength NOVATEST™!

Extra Strength NOVATEST represents a major advancement in the pharmakinetics of muscle-building testosterone optimization, made possible through the utilization of the revolutionary designer anti-aromatase complex Tri-Methyl-Flavone™. This next generation anti-aromatase complex features powerful methylated bioactives for unparalleled efficacy. NOVATEST's advanced QuickTek™ transmucosal delivery tablets improve absorption directly into the bloodstream for fast, powerful anti-aromatase action. NOVATEST's potent bioactivity helps to maximize testosterone, reduce estrogen and boost muscle building.

Extra Strength NOVATEST will push your physique to new levels of greater strength and muscular development than you ever believed possible. Maximize your bodybuilding and mass-building potential with the most comprehensive and powerful anti-aromatase testosterone optimizer available. Extra Strength NOVATEST takes the science of testosterone enhancement to a new level of excellence!
EXTRA STRENGTH NOVATEST... BECAUSE LARGE ISN'T BIG ENOUGH!

Learn more here...

New promo for MHP!

2010-10-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

Introducing Ryan Watson! Ryan shatters the myth of the "musclebound" bodybuilder.

I spent the entire day shooting with Ryan for this new MHP promo, first outside in the hot Tampa sun demonstrating football training, then inside in the Downtown Tampa Powerhouse Gym going through a full upper body workout. Ryan believes that you don't have to give up athletic performance to be a bodybuilder, and he's living proof.

Ryan is an amazing athlete and I'm sure you're going to be hearing a lot more about him in the future.

Click on the title of the video to watch on Youtube.

Preview of Kai Greene: REDEMPTION is ready to view online!

2010-08-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

Two parts of the series have just been released so far. We are getting very good reviews on this!

Click here to watch the preview videos.

Kai Greene: REDEMPTION to be released on bodybuilding.com!

2010-07-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

Kai Greene: REDEMPTION, the sequel to OVERKILL, is going to be released in five parts on bodybuilding.com starting August 6th!

The BB.com episodes are a shortened version of the documentary. The full length director's cut with additional footage and bonus features will be available on DVD, due out the beginning of September.

The blog page cuts off part of the video so just click on the title on the video itself to be taken to Youtube where you can watch it in its entirety.

Click here to bookmark http://videos.bodybuilding.com/ so that you don't miss a single episode of Kai Greene: REDEMPTION!

And be sure to vote for MuscleMeds products for the bodybuilding.com 2010 Supplement Awards! http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/supplementawardpage.htm

Mike Pulcinella video is expanding!

2010-07-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

This video represents a milestone for Mike Pulcinella Video Productions! It's the first video that was neither shot nor edited by me! I was merely the director for this project. Elena Paladino and Nicole Pulcinella shot the video and Elena edited this piece.

This is Dance Obsessions senior lyrical group performing Imogen Heap's song and is one of our favorite pieces from their 2010 show.

The blog page cuts off part of the video so just click on the title on the video itself to be taken to Youtube where you can watch it in its entirety.

To order DVDs of the entire show click here to be taken to our sales page.

The experiment has begun!

2010-06-04T19:53:00.000-07:00

This is the first teaser of the promotional campaign that I am doing for the supplement company Xero Limits. It features their spokesman Rodney Roller.

More about Rodney and the DVD project that he and I are working on together soon!

Preview of my SECOND Kai Greene DVD in the works!

2010-05-25T19:26:00.000-07:00

I'm getting deeper into the editing of the sequel to OVERKILL! It's going to be called "Kai Greene: REDEMPTION".

Here are a few stills from this work in progress. This is going to be a very different DVD from the first one in many ways.

There is no release date set yet. I still have a long way to go!

Click on the pix to view them full frame.

We had a pretty good position in the pit, even though we were a little off to the side. Still, it's some of the crispest, best looking footage I've ever seen. Kudos to my assistant Elena for putting up with the pit mayhem and still getting good footage!

An usual use of the leg curl machine for a specific purpose.

Kai squats 585 for many reps just weeks before the Arnold Classic.

Kai at prejudging. 2010 Arnold Classic

Sunday morning after winning the 2010 Arnold, Kai gives a training seminar.

Posing a few weeks before the Arnold.

Teaching young bodybuilder, Jason Myers, the fine art of posing.

The result of squatting 585 for reps.

Student and teacher.

The Bodybuilding.com series is a success!

2010-04-30T17:23:00.000-07:00

The fifth and final "webisode" of Kai Greene: OVERKILL is now available on bodybuilding.com.

This series has been spectacularly well received.

I'm very proud to say that in less than a month Part 1 has gotten over 40,800 views, beating videos that have been on the site for almost a year.

It is the second most discussed video on the entire site, followed closely by parts 2 and 3!

OVERKILL is the second highest rated video and has also been favorited more times than videos that have spent far longer online.

Thanks to everyone for their kind words and support during the course of this project! There's lots more to come!!

Watch ALL of OVERKILL on Bodybuilding.com!

2010-04-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Bodybuilding.com is running my serialization of Kai Greene: OVERKILL!

That means that once a week they are posting, in its entirety, a segment of the documentary on their videos page and I get to say cool TV announcer-ish things like "Previously on OVERKILL..." and "Coming up on OVERKILL..."!

Check all of them out here on a special video homepage made just for OVERKILL!

Excerpt from Kai Greene: OVERKILL - Kai trains legs before the Olympia

2010-03-21T06:07:00.000-07:00

When I travelled to Las Vegas to tape Kai Greene as he prepared for his first attempt to win the Mr. Olympia crown I expected to see the usual hardcore workouts.

Instead, I found an athlete pushed to his limits...and beyond. The word "hardcore" began to take on a new meaning.

Music composed for the documentary by Martin Bailey.

What video camera should you buy? Answer: It doesn't matter!

2010-03-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

Today I got a very nice email from a fan of my work who wanted to try his hand at a little amateur documentary of his own. He asked me the following question...

“What video camera should I buy? I want to be sure that my video is high quality.”

That’s one of the most asked questions on video forums all over the internet. I see it very often and my answer to it is this...

It doesn’t matter.

The best video camera for you is the one you can afford.

Here's why I say that...

The elements of a quality documentary are not necessarily to be found in the equipment. The best equipment in the hands of someone without the knowledge of how to use it won’t produce anything worth watching, whereas someone like Martin Scorcese could use a cell phone and make a movie that would make you laugh and cry.

What gives a documentary quality is summarized by what I call The Three S’s.

Story. Stability. Style.

1. Story

Something worth watching has to happen and you have to be able to present that in a way that keeps the viewers attention.

My first DVD, Raising the Bar was shot on an inexpensive $500 Canon videocamera. The images are not the greatest but the story was so strong that people around the world have been able to enjoy it.

I recommend buying the book Save the Cat by Blake Snyder. It is a handbook for screenwriters, but the methods of storytelling it outlines translate well to documentary.

2. Stability.

Shaky camerawork is the mark of the amateur video. Learn to stabilize yourself if you are shooting handheld. Practice panning smoothly. Use a tripod whenever possible. Don’t try to walk and shoot.

2. Style.

Learn about lighting and composition. Why are certain things positioned where they are in the frame in great movies? What makes a good composition? Google “the rule of thirds”. Learn what it is and then learn how to break the rule. From which direction is the light coming? Where should I position the camera? When should I shoot the entire scene and when should I move in for a close up?

All of these things are incredibly important in making something look professional and keeping it interesting.

Visit a museum and notice the compositions of paintings by the great masters. Get photography books and magazines and begin to dissect the way elements are placed for maximum dramatic impact. Where is the subject placed in the frame and why?

Learn about editing. The best shot video, if edited poorly, will fail to hold attention and everything will go to waste. Pacing is very important. How do we know what to include and what to leave out? Under what circumstances should we we condense time and when do we stretch time?

I recommend reading In the Blink of an Eye by Walter Murch (Editor of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now). It’s a great introduction to some of the basic philosophies of film editing.

Having filled your head with all that I will tell you that I use small Canon HD video cameras for my work. I like the Vixia HV 40. It has a great picture and is small and unobtrusive. That’s an important quality to have when shooting fly-on-the-wall documentaries like I do!

You can get them online for anywhere from $600 to $800. I also attach a shotgun microphone to all my video cameras. I use a Rhode or Azden shotgun on my Canon. Sound is VERY important and the on-board mics on most cameras don’t really do that good of a job of shutting out unwanted noise from the background.

I personally recommend that whatever camera you buy that you get one that uses mini DV tapes. One of the most important things to consider in shooting documentary is that need to safely archive footage. I find a box of tapes to be much more inexpensive and reliable as a long-term backup than a finicky, expensive hard drive which can fail unexpectedly.

Tape vs card is a controversial subject these days but I'm sticking to my guns!!

So that's my advice. Learn how to shoot great footage and how to edit it effectively and whatever camera you buy will be the best camera for you!

You can appear in Kai Greene's next DVD!

2010-03-11T06:48:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone for your interest in and support of Kai Greene: OVERKILL! The story of his first attempt on the Olympia stage has been getting good reviews. Obviously I'm pretty happy about that!

As you may know I have been contracted to continue my relationship with Kai for a second DVD about his trip back to the Arnold and his defense of his title!

It’s been a dramatic journey, to be sure, but I need your help.

One of the things I’d like to explore in this next documentary is Kai’s relationship to his fans. I’d like to get opinions about Kai from the people who really count...the bodybuilding fans themselves!

If you would like to be a part of Kai’s next DVD (and a part of bodybuilding history!) please videotape yourself talking about Kai and send it to me soon so I can get it in the new documentary. It doesn’t have to be all positive! Kai is a controversial athlete and if you have a criticism of him and can say it respectfully it might make it into the doc as well.

You can answer one or all of the following questions...or you can improvise your own. Be creative! Show us your physique. But above all explain to us how Kai inspires or entertains you.

Only the most interesting and enthusiastic answers will make it on to the DVD of course so, like Kai...don't hold back!

Who is Kai Greene?

What makes Kai special? In other words, why are you a fan of his?

How has Kai Greene changed bodybuilding?

There are several ways you can get the video to me:

- Mail me a DV tape or burn it on a DVD

- Email a MPEG4 or WMV file (if it’s not too large!)

- Post it on Youtube and send me the link. I can rip it from there.

By sending me your video you give me the right to include it or parts of it in the DVD, in promotional materials for the DVD and in promotion for Mike Pulcinella Video Productions.

Thanks in advance for your support and enthuiasm for my projects! Don’t delay, I am beginning the editing process right now!

Mike

Sneak peek at the Adela Garcia Project!

2010-02-28T18:02:00.000-08:00

Subscribe now to get instant updates when Adela's DVD is ready!

In 2008 the career of one of the most dynamic performers in professional fitness competition seemed to be over. Adela Garcia, three time winner of the fitness Olympia, had to undergo reconstructive knee surgery.

What followed was one of the most inspiring comebacks in the sport . Not only did Adela return to fitness competition but she won the 2009 Europa and the 2009 Olympia, tying Susie Curry for the most wins of the Olympia ever!

Compiled from over two years of footage, Mike Pulcinella Video Productions is creating the DVD that tells the story of Adela's long and painful road back to the top, and follow her through her prep and onto the stage for the 2010 Arnold Classic. Here is a brief taste of what is to come!

Stay tuned! More clips and updates are on the way!

Click here to buy the full 2009 Olympia contest video from IFBBTV.com!

Talkin' about OVERKILL and Raising the Bar!

2010-02-28T10:23:00.000-08:00

Check me out!! I'll be on the Off Topic radio show Tuesday at 8PM EST!

We'll be talking about the origins of Raising the Bar, the making of Kai Greene: OVERKILL and Kai's prep for the upcoming Arnold classic, which I have been taping for a follow up DVD!

You can listen to it live or stream and/or download it anytime after that at the link below.

Off Topic

My NO-Bomb commercial with Victor Martinez

2010-01-29T18:04:00.000-08:00

MHP supplements has a new bodybuilding product called NO-Bomb. The tag line for the product is "Go Nuclear!" They asked me to create a commercial for it. Inspired by the tag line I created this.

I had a lot of fun doing this. The hardest part was getting my voice to sound like those old-time announcers. The trick was to move away from the microphone...and YELL!

Victor Martinez begins his prep for the 2010 Olympia!

2010-01-13T08:03:00.000-08:00

MHP supplements has me working on a new project that I'm very excited about!

I've just returned from spending a few days with Victor Martinez in Tampa, Florida as he was consulting with his new trainer Joe McNeal. Joe is a good friend of Dexter Jackson and helped him win the Olympia in 2008. He is a very energetic, knowledgable and inspiring guy with one of the most awesome home gyms I've ever seen!

Please don't envy me. I was in a resort town but it was cold as s**t down there in Florida! I'm from Philadelphia, Vic lives New York. We thought we were going to get a break from the freeze. No such luck! Anyway, I got some great footage and have made a start at understanding Joe's plan for Vic.

This is going to be a long and difficult year for Victor, but both he and Joe feel that Vic is poised to finally fulfill his potential and become Mr. Olympia. This program is designed to make that happen!

The first step in the process was the decision to skip the Arnold Classic this year. In fact, Joe McNeal refused to take Victor on unless he agreed to this one prerequisite. Joe felt that there just wasn't enough time to make the changes to Vic's physique that needed to be made and that they should set their sights on the O.

Over the course of the next nine months Joe will tweak Victor's workout, diet and supplements, striving to give him the size he needs to compete with Jay and Kai, while maintaining the classic lines that Vic is known for.

Recent setbacks are in the past. As far as Vic is concerned his knee injury is old news. Although he and his family are still grieving for their recent tragic loss, they are attempting to go on with their lives.

Vic is ready. He's excited! (Well, as excited as Vic can get. He's a very low-key guy! LOL!) It's going to be a very interesting year for bodybuilding and I am honored to be allowed into the inner circle with my camera. I am going to follow this "experiment" throughout the course of the year videotaping when I can. In the end I will produce a DVD for MHP that tells the story of Victor's transformation, and hopefully his triumph, from the inside.

Stay tuned!

How to make those veins POP!

2009-12-30T09:33:00.000-08:00

Since releasing my bodybuilding documentary Raising the Bar 3 I've been getting some requests for a few clips from the previous installments.

Here's a short clip from RTB 2 that shows Dave Pulcinella's method for really bringing out the veins just before he steps on stage. I think what makes the clip work is his friend Jimmy's energetic description of Dave's method. Makes me laugh every time!

(Can you tell Jimmy's Italian from the still image?? LOL!)

"Kai Greene: OVERKILL" exclusive preview!

2009-12-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

As I near the end of editing my first Kai Greene documentary, those of you who have subscribed to my blog with be the first to see preview clips! I always post here before anywhere else.

The plan is to create three DVDs with the overall title of "Kai Greene: A New Breed". This first one will be called OVERKILL for reasons I think will become obvious when you see it!

This clip is the introduction to the doc, exactly as it will appear on the DVD (minus the logo and website at the bottom). Later, I will create a more comprehensive trailer that will give more of an overview of the story.

As always, comments and feedback are welcome!

The DVD will eventually be available on the MuscleMeds website. If you'd like to support my work AND make great gains in the gym, please check out their line of supplements.

Holiday Special and a New Clip from RTB3!

2009-12-08T06:39:00.000-08:00

Now through December 31st, save money on all the Raising the Bar DVDs during the RTB holiday special! I've reduced prices and am giving away the last few t-shirts I have. When they are gone there ain't gonna be no more!!

Order now! Click here to go to the DVD sales page of my website!

Thanks to everyone for your support of independent filmmaking!

In this clip from Raising the Bar 3 we see Dave Pulcinella, days away from the most important contest of his career, in his final hardcore arm workout before the show, exercising alongside and getting inspiration from, the strongmen and strongwomen at his cousin Steve's Iron Sport Gym.

The Kai Greene Project - Part 1

2009-10-07T05:52:00.000-07:00

I have been very lucky recently to have been asked by the bodybuilding supplement company MuscleMeds to create a short documentary on one of the most promising young bodybuilders in the sport today, Kai Greene.

Kai and his trainer Oscar Arden travelled to Las Vegas seven weeks before the Mr. Olympia competition to train and prepare. MuscleMeds sent me there for three days during that time to get a rare peek into the mindset of this amazing athlete.

And it was an intense three days!

Kai and Oscar were shut off from the rest of the world. Existing in their own little bubble, in the middle of one of the most decadent cities in the world, they lived like monks concentrating only on their one goal.

Kai placed fourth at the Olympia, a very respectable showing for his first time there! My documentary will explore the preparation that went into his attempt as well as his thoughts about competing against some of the greatest bodybuilders in the world and his plans for the future.

This coming weekend I'm traveling to Brooklyn to spend some time with Kai and Oscar and as they bask in their post Olympia glow!

Stay tuned!

They're going nuts!

2009-07-29T16:10:00.001-07:00

Can I take a moment and toot my own horn?

After a year and a half of shooting and editing for RTB3 it's finally out there and the fans of bodybuilding are loving it! Here are a few review excerpts...

"Raising the Bar 3 captures the emotional and psychological battles every bodybuilder wages within themselves."
Layne Norton

"This is, by far, the best of the trilogy. Mike has really come into his own as a film-maker and DAVE has really opened up and let his vulnerabilities hang out there for the viewers to embrace."
Dave Palumbo

"RTB is this generation's Pumping Iron."
Curt James

"Thank you SO much for sharing an incredible story and filming it in the way you do. It's so different and refreshing from other bodybuilding dvds that mostly revolve around training various body parts."
Lyle, UK

"An absolute winner from start-to-finish."
Tre Scott - Fem Flex

"RTB 1 and 2 were terrific but 3 is sensational! RTB3 had me glued to the TV monitor and what a truthful refreshing bodybuilding reality, real-time DVD it is. I can’t wait for RTB4 and that’s the truth."
Dennis
www.dennisbweis.com
Author of Mass! Raw Muscle!
& Anabolic Muscle Mass
MuscleMag International Columnist

I'd like to end this blog post with a big thank you to everyone who supported me through this project, everyone who participated in the documentary, and everyone who supported independent filmmaking by purchasing RTB3!

Here's the latest Youtube release from RTB3, our first full clip. This is one of the extras from the deleted scenes. A young bodybuilder does her best to explain why she wants to be big.

Raising the Bar 3 has arrived!

2009-07-03T20:42:00.000-07:00

Raising the Bar 3 is officially released to the world!

To celebrate we’ve created our second trailer. This one is called “What is a bodybuilder?”

In this highlights video from RTB3 Dave Pulcinella, Jalaine Ulsh, Hayley McNeff and Mike Strutz talk about what it takes to excel in this extreme sport.

You can get RTB3 by clicking here.

The documentary is 1 hr 40 minutes long with comprehensive easy-to-use menus. There are two deleted scenes adding up to 15 minutes.

It’s only $24.95, plus shipping!!

Thanks,
Mike

MD block party video - The importance of promotion

2009-06-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

When posting a new video it is very important that is also be promoted or else no one will ever see it.

The complete video of the Muscular Development Block Party held several weeks ago was posted on the MD.com website a few days after. In order to help promote it I created this teaser video hoping that anyone who stumbled across this on Youtube might then be enticed to click over to MD.com and look around.

Note how I make it known right away that you can go to MD to see more and I make it easy to get there by supplying a link to the right of the view screen, as well as pointing out that fact at the end of the video. These are details that are often neglected when most people post their videos.

Why natural bodybuilding? - Highlights video of a bodybuilding contest

2009-06-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a recent highlights video that I made for the promoter of a local natural bodybuilding show.

Instead of the usual high-energy approach usually used for this sort of thing I thought I would try something a bit more low key. Using only soundbites from interviews conducted at the show I put together this promo clip.

Release date for Raising the Bar 3 is getting closer!

2009-05-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

I'm getting close to the end of editing Raising the Bar 3! The release date is still set for July 1st. I see no reason why I won't make it by then.

This week I'll be having a "focus group" meeting. All that means is that I'll gather together Dave and a few close friends to watch the entire DVD and tell me what works, what doesn't, and what I've left out. It's a very important part of the process. I've been so close to this project for so long that it is impossible for me to see it objectively. After that it'll hopefully only be a few tweaks and I can begin the creation of the DVD itself.

Don't forget, if you pre-order your copy of RTB3 before the release date you get FREE shipping!!

Order now by clicking HERE!

Video under pressure!

2009-05-08T20:07:00.001-07:00

I had a great experience this week!

Iron Sport Gym was celebrating its 10th anniversary with a four event strongman competition and I offered to videotape it. Iron Sport is owned by my cousin Steve Pulcinella, an accomplished strength athlete in his own right.

My objective with this video was to test myself and see how fast I could produce a tightly edited, exciting tribute to the day. The contest was on Sunday morning May 3rd. I had one camera on a tripod which I often left run by itself while I shot another angle of the action with a hand held camera.

I shot 3 1/2 hours of footage, wrote and recorded the voiceover myself and I had the first draft uploaded by Wednesday morning! Not too shabby!

Steve watched the video and suggested a few changes. I had the new version re-posted by Friday morning. It may not be the most polished thing I've ever done but it's good to know that I can turn around a nice, crisp piece in a TV news style in a reasonable amount of time.

Check it out and don't be afraid to make suggestions if you think it could be better.

I'm being interviewed for Siouxcountry Radio!

2009-04-22T13:18:00.001-07:00

This Friday I'm going to be recording an interview by phone with IFBB Pro Liza Hughes for Siouxcountry Radio.

lizahughes.com

Siouxcountry.com is a website devoted to female bodybuilding, fitness and figure. Liza and I will be talking mostly about my documentary Beyond the Pain: The Vicki Nixon Story as well as some of my current projects.

For anyone that is interested the interview is ready and posted at the link below. It will reside there for some time.

siouxcountryradio.com

Making a promo video for a posing class in Maryland!

2009-04-21T09:34:00.001-07:00

Fitness competitor, bodybuilding competitor and personal trainer Gretchen Krass and Maryland NPC chairman Rich Siegelman (also a currently competing bodybuilder) are conducting a 6 week posing class for bodybuilding and fitness enthusiasts in Maryland.

I know this because I am on Gretchen's emailing list. When I got the email I suggested to her that we do a cool video about this series in order to promote it for the next time. She and Rich thought it was a great idea and we are currently making plans to do just that!

My plan is to go to one of the later classes (there are two a week for 6 weeks) shoot some footage and get a few interviews. I would then combine that with footage of Gretchen winning the Maryland State last year (which I shot), add dynamic music and a voice over (of course!) explaining the course and the benefits to be gained.

I'm very excited about this project and will keep you up to date as it progresses! If you are interested in attending the classes please contact Gretchen at gretchen@gstfitness.com

Mike Pulcinella Video announces a new service for our bodybuilding, figure and bikini contest contest clients!

2009-03-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

Mike Pulcinella Video Productions is now offering a special service. In addition to creating some of the best contest DVDs in the industry, we now can post your routine online so that you can send it to friends and family within DAYS of the show!

Your routine will be...

High resolution - we post on the high quality hosting site VIMEO!

Easily email-able - Just send your friends the link!

Downloadable! - VIMEO allows you to save the Quicktime file to your computer (with a quick and free sign-up) so you can play it there, make copies, burn a DVD, embed in other applications and even re-UPLOAD to Youtube or other video hosting sites!

Here are a few examples from last year.

Kreider, Robert from Mike Pulcinella Video on Vimeo.

Pringle, Shawna from Mike Pulcinella Video on Vimeo.

Tazuli, Tess from Mike Pulcinella Video on Vimeo.

Click here to see more!

This is YOUR routine, YOUR hard work, on the web for all to see! And it's only $10 with the purchase of the DVD, $15 if you want just the upload alone.

This is a really valuable service for anyone competing in bodybuilding, figure or bikini contests!

First teaser from Raising the Bar 3!

2009-03-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

Although I've got a way to go with the editing of Raising the Bar 3, I've created a short teaser to get y'all in the mood!!

Raising the Bar 3 - The First Teaser from mike pulcinella on Vimeo.

Need help shooting or editing video?

2009-03-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

Fitness Video University is here!!

Scott York (bodybuildersreality.com and fitnessandfigurereality.com) and I have created a forum for the amateur videographer who wants to learn how to shoot better, edit better and promote their fitness business on the internet.

It's called Fitness Video University and it contains loads of information! You can ask questions, read shooting and editing tips and reviews of equipment, watch tutorials, post your own clips for members and experts to evaluate and learn ways to promote yourself using video.

Here are some recent topics on FVU...

How to be creative!

http://fitnessvideou.com/home/index.php?topic=377.0

Great camera trick! The perfect pan!

http://fitnessvideou.com/home/index.php?topic=388.0

With the help of FVU new member, personal trainer & IFBB pro bodybuilder Clifta Coulter Perez, hits one out of the park with her SECOND video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEmthNeO-Qg

When is a transition “cheesy”?

http://fitnessvideou.com/home/index.php?topic=404.0

I helped one of our members get a #1 ranking in Google IN 1 DAY...

http://fitnessvideou.com/home/index.php?topic=409.0

Times are NOT tough for everyone

http://fitnessvideou.com/home/index.php?topic=403.0

My review of Layne Norton’s “Unleashed!”

http://fitnessvideou.com/home/index.php?topic=417.0

Download FREE music and SFX for your videos!

http://fitnessvideou.com/home/index.php?topic=420.0

I think we have a really unique site that is very cool and quickly growing! Stop by and check it out...it's FREE!

http://www.fitnessvideou.com/

Raising the Bar 3 UPDATE!

2009-03-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

Very often, while deep in the editing process, I realize that I don't have enough information to fully explain what is going on. I usually fix that with voiceover but sometimes voiceover just doesn't feel right. Sometimes what is needed is a first person account, especially if we are talking about the internal, emotional thoughts of the subject. It is much stronger to hear the subject say "I was sad..." instead of having the voiceover saying, "Mr. Boodely was sad."

With that in mind I invited Dave over today to watch the parts of RTB3 that I have done and to look at some raw or lightly edited footage.

I would play a sequence for him and then ask him for his reaction. He was VERY excited about what he was seeing! That was encouraging to me. I've been deep into this for over a month now and feel too close to it sometimes.

As usual he was thoughtful, eloquent and funny, the perfect documentary subject! Even though I was shooting video of us working, as you can see, I intend only to use the audio portion of the tape. I'm wearing headphones because I'm monitoring the audio as it's recording, listening for distortion or glitches. That's usually done off-camera. It was a bit of an unusual set-up but it worked for us!

Over the next few weeks I'll be incorporating the audio that we shot today and hopefully will be much closer to completion!!

(Yes, I'm wearing my promotional RTB3 t-shirt!! I know that's dorky but it gets me in the right frame of mind!)

The Next Level

2008-07-08T16:56:00.001-07:00

It's time to begin pushing my art to the next level. I have two projects in the works that will require a more artistic widescreen look than what I normally shoot for the kinds of documentaries I've been doing.

With that in mind I went on a couple of photographic expeditions to Valley Forge State Park and Manayunk in search of picturesque vistas to shoot. My Canon GL2 was set to interlaced 16:9 anamorphic at 60i (most of the time). Here are a few screen captures of my video. I plan to make a montage clip very soon to see how they look in motion set to music.

NATURE

ARCHITECTURE

URBAN DECAY

Stage Stormers are in rehearsal!

2008-07-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! The countdown to the Stage Stormers' performances in August! I had a blast taping and editing the shows last year. Watching the joy on the childrens' faces while I edited the footage from our two cameras really made my job enjoyable.

Returning to shoot with me will be Jim Valentine for the Spring City show. My daughter Nicole (The Cat in the Hat from last year's Seussical) is also working with me this year and will be running the second camera for several shows and possibly helping with the editing. We also have Mary Crispin, a Communications major at Penn State, shooting and editing one of the shows (under my supervision, of course) for her portfolio.

I enjoy nurturing young talent. Both Mary and Nicole have already shown promise in videography and editing and I hope to be relying on their abilities in the future as Mike Pulcinella Video Productions expands.

I'll be posting stills and clips from the performances on this blog as the editing progresses so you might want to stop in here from time to time during the month of September and check 'em out. In the meantime I've set up Pre-Order buttons on the DVDs for Sale page. You can use a credit card and PayPal or you can get the order forms from me at the performances and pay by cash or check, if you are more comfortable with that.

Good luck to all the actors and I'll see you at the shows!!

A review of Beyond the Pain

2008-06-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

My new documentary, Beyond the Pain is finally done and the reviews are starting to roll in! Here's a really good one! It was posted on the siouxcountry.com forum by Gina Fata.

“Beyond the Pain: The Vicki Nixon Story.
Review by: Gina Fata

Bodybuilding is a sport of discipline, desire, and dedication. Vicki Nixon possessed all three of these qualities under extraordinary circumstances for all 23 years of her bodybuilding career. “Beyond the Pain” is a documentary film directed by the talented Mike Pulcinella, who has gone DEEP into the pain, suffering, and love of Vicki Nixon’s bodybuilding career. Vicki’s story is not only told by herself, but by Brian (her husband), close friends, and others that have been inspired by her through the years.

Throughout the film, we are taken on a journey through Vicki’s career in bodybuilding, photoshoots, and current interviews with various supporters of Vicki Nixon. Vicki Nixon's husband, Brian is extremely supportive and stays by her through every aspect of her life. Vicki and Brian are true soulmates, and they consistently lift each other up in their life together.

While most bodybuilders must remain focused on diet, training, and posing to get prepared for a contest, Vicki did that while dealing with serious medical issues. Pulcinella directs the film in a way that goes deep into the soul of Vicki Nixon. He finds a way to capture emotion, integrity, and joy all in one moment. He also holds true to the dedicated person that Vicki Nixon is by showing the audience her passion for bodybuilding, and how supportive she is in fostering the success of other people. This is a unique quality that Nixon has, because bodybuilding can sometimes be considered a vanity sport.

In my opinion, Vicki Nixon is what female bodybuilding is all about. She deals with mental and physical struggles, hardcore dieting, precise training, and goes "beyond the pain." Although she has retired from bodybuilding, Vicki has proven herself to be a success in the sport. Her kind and giving spirit still continues to help others in the sport, which seems to give her much enjoyment. Vicki Nixon's story proves that will and passion to succeed is vital in bodybuilding, and your heart will take you "beyond the pain".

A great review of Raising the Bar!

2008-05-22T07:36:00.000-07:00

I get many emails praising my bodybuilding documentaries Raising the Bar and Raising the Bar 2. I never get tired of hearing how much people enjoy my work! Today I received a review that I felt I must share with you. It's from a Natural Pro bodybuilder that I met at the NGA Mr. & Ms. Philadelphia competition. Joanne was one of the judges at the show. It was very nice to speak with her that day and it is clear from her email that she is a good judge of documentary films as well!! ;-)

Hi Mike, It's Joanne.,

It was a pleasure to meet you at the Mr/Ms Phila show. I don't know how to even begin to put into words what you have managed to create in the two documentaries about your brother Dave. The documentaries are the best that I have ever seen. I have Pumping Iron I and II, and they don't capture the real "behind the scenes" of what bodybuilder's lives are all about. I felt that somehow you took my life and put in into this film but just changed the actors so to speak.

There were moments where I laughed (the food scenes in part I) and your brother's sense of humor, I became nervous for your brother when he was cramping (I have experienced this too), sadness, excitement and exhaustion. I can relate to the family functions that you can't take part in, how your family doesn't understand why you do what you do, the training, long days preparing, all the sacrifices made, etc..

You have captured what most people, other than a bodybuilder, will never see or experience. Sure most people see the glory of the end result when the competitors are on stage, but to live with a bodybuilder or to be one, well it's a very different life style we live "all year" round. I was also born in 1964 so I understand the joint pains, injuries, etc that Dave has experienced. I have watched both DVDs twice already and they are truly motivating. I will watch them over and over as I prepare for my upcoming shows.

Mike, your commentary, interviews, music selection, and how you put the film together is truly amazing and done very professionally. I would recommend that anyone who is a bodybuilder, lives with one, or knows of a bodybuilder should see this video to truly understand "our" lifestyle and the rigorous months, weeks, days, hours we go through to prepare for shows.

I hope some day I get an opportunity to meet your brother. Dave is an inspiration and it's obvious he lives for the sport and to keep his physique in top condition. I have my pro card with a natural organization but have never competed nationally. I did qualify for nationals, but may see what I can do in 2009. I'm anxious to see your next documentary.

I'm so glad that I ran into you at the show and that I purchased the documentaries. Mike, you have done an incredible job and you should be very proud of your work.

Joanne G
IPFA Professional Bodybuilder
http://www.myspace.com/musclegal

The Mr. & Ms. Natural Update!

2008-05-17T04:19:00.000-07:00

The NGA allows props and encourages creativity in competitors' posing routines. Here's a brief taste of what went on at the Philly Nat this year!

The disks are ready and will be shipping early this week!

The Mr. & Ms. Natural DVD is nearly done!

2008-05-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

I'm putting the finishing touches on my two DVD set of the contest video for the 2008 NGA Mr. & Ms. Natural Philadelphia show that I shot on May 3rd. In the meantime here are a few stills from the video.

Warren Egebo runs a tight show and he always tries to make it interesting. This year was no exception. He had a skit and a parade of competitors to open the show and his guest poser was the inspirational Johnny Quinn, a victim of a motorcycle accident who would never use the "v" word to describe himself!

Congratulations to Adrianna Aliotta and Luther Bradford, the overall winners!

I'm taking pre-orders right now on the "DVDs For Sale" page of my website and expect to be shipping by the end of next week, if not sooner!

What makes a photograph "artistic"?

2008-04-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

I think this is one of the best explanations of what makes something artistic that I've ever read!

It was posted by "chubs" over at unrealmuscle.com. Thanks for letting me repost this, chubs!

If a photographer takes a straight shot with good exposure, that's composed pleasantly, we don't generally refer to it as photographic art. He has competently recorded nature and gets credit for skill at a craft, as in this photograph of Mavi Gioia.

If a photographer takes consistently accurate, nicely framed shots for an extended period of time, he may earn credit as somewhat of an artist, but still more a craftsman.

As soon as there's intervention from the photographer, a manipulation of realism, the term artist becomes easier to apply. Here, the viewer starts to think of things other than the depiction of nature, thanks to a rearrangement of elements by the photographer.

People look at that picture of Colette and say, that's an "artistic photograph" because it's more than just a recording of nature. If someone consistently produces images like that, over time is considered more an artist than a craftsman.

Taken to a further point, like in this wonderful example by Patrick of his lovely wife Emery Miller, the photographer imposes his vision to elicit strong emotional reaction, a hallmark common to all things considered "art" by current societal standards.

This is Mike again...I'll take it a bit further and say that the third pic is especially artistic because it begins to abstract nature.

The photographer is asking us not only to appreciate the subject for what it IS, but also for the basic geometric play of light and shadow that is occurring. We begin to enjoy it on multiple levels and that also is the hallmark of art.

I've been made a mod at MD!!

2008-04-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I started a thread on the Muscular Development.com discussion forum in order to help the members learn how to make better videos of their workouts and posing. As you can imagine, bodybuilders are generally horrendous videographers! Shooting video of people in the gym has become my forte (quite by accident). My "video tips" thread became popular and the other forum leaders decided that I should be the one to develop a strange hybrid bodybuilding/video section of their forum.

The offer came as a complete surprise. I'm very flattered and excited about it! If you get a chance, stop by and check out "my" section, the MD TV Community Channel.

forums.musculardevelopment.com

Analogue Lives!

2008-03-19T06:13:00.000-07:00

This kind of music isn't for everyone, but if you are a fan of synth-based, meditative "space" music you must check out Baltimore musician Jeff Koepper! I used to dabble in this stuff back in the 80's but never approached Jeff's level. I met him through craig's list and recently sold him some of my old keyboards. As far as I'm concerned they couldn't have gone to a better home! There are some samples on his MySpace page so you can see what I'm talking about.

Jeff Koepper

I love this stuff! You may hear it finding its way into some future video projects of mine!

He's also giving a live concert in Philadelphia on April 19th. I'm not going to miss it!

You can check out more about the concert and his CDs here...

thegatherings.org

Just so you know..."analogue" is a classic type of synthesizer that predates digital. It's the kind of instrument guys like Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman used to play. By restricting himself to only these kinds of keyboards Jeff Koepper, and others like him, create music that has a distinctive "retro" sound that can't be achieved any other way.

A thought about editing...

2008-03-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

Real life is mostly long boring stretches with brief moments of excitement. The problem is it takes too long to get from one interesting moment to the next.

What we do as editors is take real life and condense it. It's like taking the watery sap from a tree and boiling it down to make maple syrup. We boil life down and boil it down and cut out the boring bits and remove the waiting around till all that is left is the good stuff.

A well edited TV show or movie or documentary is real life as we WISH it would be! I think that video and film editors should be as highly paid as doctors because we do just as valuable a service...we save, preserve and present the best of life.

Why am I being Googled so much?

2008-03-07T11:32:00.000-08:00

I am always sure to include a link to my site when I post on other blogs or on Youtube. So why is my tracking service telling me that much f the time my website is being reached by people who have to Google me to find it? Not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm happy that you found me no matter how you did it!

If you used Google to get here please leave me a comment telling me how you heard about me. I would really appreciate it!

Thanks,

Mike

Good news!

2008-03-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

The MMA promo has been getting mixed reviews but mostly positive.

Here's what the webmaster of mmarecruiter.com/ had to say...

"The video is awesome and you did a great job with what was available to work with. I was trying to create a buzz and it worked. We had a big increase in our sign ups since the release of the video.

We are the first site MMA site that has a intro video which is huge. I couldn't be happier to be breaking ground and making the standards higher. Just alone today we have had close to 20 sign ups and its still early.
It's working!

Thanks,

Mike"

All in a day's work!

Classical music ROCKS!!

2008-03-03T08:47:00.000-08:00

It always bothers me when people say that they like classical music..."but only when I fall asleep"! I've loved classical all my life. Some of the hardest hitting music I know was composed for an orchestra. There's nothing like the power of 100 people playing together!

It was with that in mind that I dove into the re-edit of my MMA promo video. The original was a flop. (See "Mixed Martial Arts video backfires!" below.) I had tried for a Raging Bull homage but just got snores. I posted it on a few MMA boards and it didn't get them very excited.

For my re-edit I chose a section from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, one of the most powerfully raucous pieces of music I know. This video is the result and it has been applauded by some of the very people who had expressed disappointment with the first promo. Home run!!

Hopefully it will also be successful in drawing people to the mmarecruiter.com site to join up. That will be the true test!

The fight footage was graciously supplied to me by rageinthecage.com and ukcmma.com. Thanks guys!

Bodybuilding as art

2008-03-01T08:09:00.000-08:00

While I was shooting my new documentary, Beyond the Pain, I was lucky enough to get permission to sit in on a photo shoot with the exceptional photographer Martin Schoeller. Martin is known for his portraits of celebrities like Jack Nicholson and Bill Clinton, among many others.

This day Martin was working on his latest project, a series on women bodybuilders. An exhibition of the work is opening in March at the Ace Gallery in Beverly Hills, CA. A book will be published some time after that.

I like this clip because it does three things. It shows Martin's method of relaxing a subject during a photo shoot, tells us a little about the difficulties that Vicki has faced in her career and says something about bodybuilding in general.

Just like TLC!

2008-02-27T09:33:00.000-08:00

I just finished a short demo for my cousin Matt showing the latest bass guitar he's added to his collection. He's a guitar maker (more specifically, basses) and collector and I was pleased with how quickly and easily we were able to present a few details of his latest acquisition.

Just like The Learning Channel! Well, maybe not, but I even used those swooshy kind of transitions like some of those Do-It-Yourself shows use! We are planning to make a much more elaborate DVD for sale online and at guitar shows that demonstrates exactly how he makes his custom instruments. Matt is a personable guy and a great musician so it should be an interesting piece.

Here's an example of the kind of work that he does. Beautiful isn't it? And it sounds even better!

You can check out his website here...

http://www.mpguitars.com/

Mixed Martial Arts video backfires!

2008-02-21T11:35:00.000-08:00

The webmaster of MMA Recruiters.com has asked me to create a short video intro for his website that show what MMA recruiters is all about using only stills and footage shot by other videographers.

I attempted to put this all together using music that is a little outside the norm for these kinds of videos. Here's what I came up with...

It flopped.

I posted the vid on various forums and asked for opinions. Very few people liked it. I will admit it's WAY too long. It needs to be about a minute or slightly over. But what they really didn't like was the music.

Most MMA vids use fast cuts and screaming heavy metal music but I wanted to do something that was as different from that as possible yet still communicated the passion and power of the sport. I guess I went too far.

Back to the drawing board!! Stay tuned!!

Surgery or Supermarket?

2008-02-21T08:15:00.000-08:00

What do you think is harder; getting permission to tape in the operating room of the University of Pennsylvania Hospital or the local supermarket? If you guessed hospital you’d be wrong! With one friendly phone call I have been able to record actual surgery in two major hospitals. (See my Knee Surgery vid.)

Getting footage of food for my latest commercial was a completely different story and proved to be much more difficult than I expected. Still, I persevered and after a month of phone calls and emails I was finally given permission to shoot. As you can see, I got some great stuff!!

Hey everybody!

2008-02-21T08:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog and my newly redesigned website! Thanks to Rob Ziruolo for turning my ideas into reality. I wanted my website to be simple, uncluttered and easy on the eyes. I think we achieved that.

My other objectives were to provide...

- Higher quality video clips than Youtube

- A place for my clients to check in on their work in progress and make suggestions

- A place to discuss anything we want to discuss! Video editing, bodybuilding, movies, whatever interests me, my friends and clients is appropriate subject matter for the blog

- And finally, a place where people can purchase my DVDs directly from me!

Any suggestions to make the website or blog better are always welcome.