Last Updated August 7, 2010
Mike Wang's Ad Color Spots Win AAF Award
Mike Wang's recent campaign with McCann for the
2010 AdColor Awards has won the Diversity Achievement
and Mosaic Award with the American
Advertising Federation
Director Michael Toft joins the Karma Kollective team
Karma Kollective recently signed Commercial Director Michael Toft.
Once an agency creative director at JWT, Michael has a complete understanding of the advertising business. His unique visuals, excellent casting, fabulous composition and great storytelling make him an exciting addition to our roster.
Kidzbop 18
Elliott Lester shoots the latest Kidzbop Commercial of top selling Kidzbop 18 for Razor & Tie here in Los Angeles.
Monster Audio + Beats By Dre
Karma + Director Banco Bantu team up to capture lifestyle campaign for the launch of P. Diddy's new line - amidst Winter Music Conference held in Miami
Dave Barnes - God Gave Me You
Joey Boukadakis directs Dave Barnes "God Gave Me You" for Razor & Tie. The video will be available on iTunes on Friday April 16th.
Sunsweet Amazins
Mike Wang directs the new Sunsweet Amazins spot in Los Angeles for Nice Advertising.
Just Surrender - "On My Own"
This weekend Matt McDermitt will be back on set to shoot another project for Razor & Tie. This time alternative rock group Just Surrender's "On My Own".
Dean Karr - X Japan - "Jade"
Director Dean Karr shoots "Jade", the latest video for popular Japanese rock group X Japan in downtown LA earlier this month.
Wendy's Viral PART III
Karma Kollective wraps out the third installment of the tri-city campaign in NYC this week. Kaplan Thaler Group and MySpace Records will launch the final episodes through December.
Wendy's Viral PART II
KMG is shooting Part II of the Wendy's campaign this Wednesday and Thursday (Oct 21/22), here in Los Angeles
Wendy's Viral
KMG has started October with a viral campaign awarded by Kaplan Thaler Group & MySpace Records for the nationwide food chain Wendy's. Our very own Zosimo will be directing the multi-city campaign starting in Orlando, FL on Oct 9 & 10.
Recent News
September
Karma Media Group
Karma welcomes Zosimo Maximo to spearhead its new media division. Zosimo's expertise in this arena of wide range media platforms will be a great addition to the Karma team.
Lady GaGa "Hearbeats"
Banco Bantu awarded Lady Gaga "Heartbeats". Bantu heads overseas to document European Press tour for the launch of the next line of Beats By Dre acoustic headphones in conjunction with Monster & Interscope. Paris, Berlin and London with final shoot dates wrapping in NYC after '09 VMA’s.
Thievery Corporation
Kennedy heads to a festival in San Francisco to shoot a live show for Thievery Corporation.
August
Nivea
Kennedy shoots Nivea spot titled "Moves Smooth" in NYC.
"Blitz" Feature Film
Elliott Lester begins production of his Lions Gate UK feature
"Blitz" starring Jason Statham. Production began in September of 09 and will continue into October.
Kidz Bop
Kennedy awarded to shoot variety of projects for Kidz Bop. The 3-day shoot in NYC encompassed a video for "Shorty on the Dance Floor" by Sean Kingston, a remake of “Ghostbusters” and a new Christmas track “Go Christmas.” Along with an additional day of shooting for a variety of instructional dance grooves.
Clifton Collins Jr.
"Karma Kollective congratulates director Clifton Collins, Jr. on his win at the CMT Music Awards 09 for USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year for Zac Brown Band's "Chicken Fried".
Dommin - Dean Karr
Dean Karr sets out to direct a new project for upcoming band called Dommin "My Heart, Your Hands,." Shot in Los Angeles on March 4th, commissioned by Rick Ernst of Roadrunner, produced by Arthur Gorson, with DP Jim Hawkinson.
Israel - Elliott Lester
Integrity music and artist Israel have commissioned Elliott Lester with co-director Steve Rees to direct the track titled "Just Wanna Say." This uplifting pop track features choreography from Tony G of the movie "Bring It On." Shot in Los Angles on March 2nd 2009.
Baby Bash feat Mario
Look out LA! Baby Bash is on the move in LA in his party bus. Director Kennedy captures Bash and his posse on the move TMZ style. From the party bus to the club the video's fun tone sets the track up for a hit.
EMIN
Comtemporary Russian artist "EMIN" has collaborated with directors Elliott Lester and co-director Steve Rees to bring two unique projects to life. The track "Givin In" is set in a downtown loft and shows the stark emotion behind the track. The 2nd single titled "Devotion" was shot at the landmark LA Theatre and captures the performers unique style and music.
Reamonn "Million Miles"
German band Reamonn have teamed up with Elliott Lester and Steve Rees for another project titled Million Miles. The production crew along with the DP Adam Santelli took a trip to Romania to capture the epic beauty of the Carpathian Mountains. Check back soon for the video.
Kidzbop 15
Elliott’s Lester has been commissioned by Razor and Tie to debut Kidzbop’s 15th release of the mutli-hit compilation CD. The commercials included hits from Rhinna, Pink, Kanye West, Katy Perry and more.
Jes "Imagination"
To celebate the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games this summer, Coca-Cola has invited artists from around the globe to jointly depict what this monumental occasion means to them. Jes was among the extraordinary alliance of visual and music artists from different lands. Our very own Mark Larranga created a beautifully lit music video for her song titled “Imagination.” The video follows Jes’s journey of performances and self-reflection.
Little Jackie
Imani Coppola has teamed up with DJ/producer Adam Pallin to form Little Jackie through S Curve records. Director Kennedy shot the music video for the song titled “The Stoop,” in New York in early September. The fun filled video features Little Jackie on a stoop through different decades and various wardrobe changes. This video is a sure hit!
Reamonn "Through The Eyes of A Child"
Universal Records German hit sensation Reamonn traveled to the United States to film the video for the song titled “Through The Eyes of A Child.” Elliott Lester and Steve Rees collaboration on this video resulted in a stunning animated journey depicting war, politics and family hardships through the eyes of a child.
Trick Trick Feat Ice Cube:
Ghettonerd AKA Clifton Bell is commissioned again by Koch Records to shoot a music video for Trick Trick featuring Ice Cube. Video set to shoot this Monday, August 18th.
Dem Franchize Boyz "Turn Heads":
Dem Franchise Boyz was shot by Ghettonerd on August 1st in Atlanta, GA. The video set tone for a perfect summer day in the ATL with cars, beautiful girls and a house party. Check out for it soon. Video was commissioned by Bryce Butler at Koch records
Selena Gomez "Tell Me Something I Dont Know":
Elliott Lester set to shoot a music video for rising star Selena Gomez who is featured in the new Warner Brothers picture titled, “A Another Cinderella Story.” The video’s vibe was set by a feature film with some hip twists. Shoot takes place in a mansion in Los Angeles on July 19, 2008.
Universal Orlando "Halloween Horror Nights":
Creative advertising agency DavidandGoliath, returned yet again for another campaign for the October 2008 Univerdal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights. This year spots will feature “Bloody Mary,” in a sequence of truly terrifying situations. Shoot date will be June 24 & 25th at The Lot in Los Angeles.
Palms Place Hotel and Casino:
Nevada based advertising agency SK+G and Palms Hotel and Casino returned for another commercial featuring the high end living structure Palms Place Tower. The new tower featured the hip Hammam Spa, Rojo Lounge, Simon’s Restaurant, and hotel suite’s. Shoot was set for June 5th, produced by Arthur Gorson, DP was Adam Santelli.
Kung Fu Panda:
Karma Kollective’s director Elliott Lester recently directed a music video, entitled “Kung Fu Fighting,” promoting DreamWorks animated motion picture, “Kung Fu Panda.” This high action music video starred Jack Black, highly acclaimed Rhythm and Blues musician Cee-Lo, and a group of young, specially trained martial arts experts. KK was commissioned by Nickelodeon for the project, which was shot at the National Wushu Center. Fight choreographer veteran Eric Chan, who co-starred in the films “Rush Hour 2” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” was given the task of training his young students to remake some of the fight moves in the movie and the music video. In addition, dance choreographer Hi-Hat, who has worked with artists such as Missy Elliott, Busta Rymes, Kanye West, Pharrell and Brooke Hogan, created the signature “Kung Fu Panda” dance that became a hit with young teens throughout the country earlier this summer.
Elliott Lester's video for Billy Ray Cyrus, "Ready, Set, Dont Go," was nominated for the CMT tearjerker video of the year. Go Elliott!
Dean Karr's video for the great Willie Nelson, titled "Gravedigger," is up for the CMT country of the year award. Congrats!
Kevin De Freitas brings uplifting clip to life with his latest video
for gospel newcomer Kevin Levar Grey shot in Los Angeles.
Keep your eye out for guest appearance by the king of rock videos,
Dean Karr, on Bret Michael's "Rock of Love" on VH1.
Ghettonerd lands in the Windy City to capture a video for Chicago based crew, Twista Presents: Speedknot Mobstaz's "Money to Blow"... sharp black + white cinematography and creative editing match up for a hot clip!
2008 SXSW Film Festival: Daniel Garcia of SuperFi takes accolades winning in the music video category for TV on the Radio "Me-I"
Elliott Lester's video for Billy Ray Cyrus, "Ready, Set, Dont Go," was nominated for the CMT tearjerker video of the year. Go Elliott!
Dean Karr's video for the great Willie Nelson, titled "Gravedigger," is up for the CMT country of the year award. Congrats!
Kevin De Freitas brings uplifting clip to life with his latest video
for gospel newcomer Kevin Levar Grey shot in Los Angeles.
Keep your eye out for guest appearance by the king of rock videos,
Dean Karr, on Bret Michael's "Rock of Love" on VH1.
Ghettonerd lands in the Windy City to capture a video for Chicago based crew, Twista Presents: Speedknot Mobstaz's "Money to Blow"... sharp black + white cinematography and creative editing match up for a hot clip!
2008 SXSW Film Festival: Daniel Garcia of SuperFi takes accolades winning in the music video category for TV on the Radio "Me-I"
CSI Video Game:
On a joint venture with Scope Seven and Hasbro, Karma Kollective sets to shoot live action portion of CSI Video Game. Director Aaron Priest completed a 6 day live action shoot for CSI interactive video game. The much anticipated interactive game will take the player through live crime scenes and will feature clues and suspects.
Lexus:
Director Elliott Lester completes a viral commercial for Lexus via LA based Team One advertising called, "The Gauntlet". Shot in Los Angeles on October 12th, the spot called for on set special effects guru's Wes Fx to simulate a volcanic eruption of 2 color paints when mixed together. To accentuate the effect computer generated liquid dynamics were implemented by X1FX CGI crew.
Willie Nelson:
Director Dean Karr helms another music video for country cross over star Willie Nelson. The super stylized black and white video "Gravedigger", shot just outside New York City features Willie in multiple roles using clever cinematography and meticulous visual effects in which computer generated "head replacements" were applied to various characters creating the illusion of the many Willies in attendance. Produced by Arthur Gorson.
:30 Seconds To Mars:
Actor, singer, songwriter and director Jared Leto together with Karma Kollective's own Elliott Lester ventures north of the Arctic Circle. Bearing witness to the gradual worldwide rise of surface temperature also known as global warming, the Karma Kollective team photographs "A Beautiful Lie", the title track for their latest release; in an attempt to help spread awareness.
Producers Edy Enriquez and Yamani Watkins paves the way to explore the monolithic icebergs and boundless glaciers of Ilulissat, the third largest settlement in Greenland which was only accessible to the film crew by chartered air.
To help tell the tale, director Jared Leto selects a myriad of HD cameras featuring the Phantom HD, giving him a broad choice of acquisition formats and frame rates in excess of 1000 fps at 1080p and 1500 fps in 720p at his disposal. Denmark native DP, Casper Tuxen collaborates.
Aerial footage was achieved with the help of helicopters provided by Air Greenland.
Many thanks to everyone involved including the expert knowledge of production house Arctic First and the Icelandic crew, the friendly men and women of Iceland and Greenland, the Inuits, mother nature, and to all who gave their hearts and soul to make this very important project come to fruition.
All proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated.
Directors
Darren Grant
Karma Kollective Director Darren Grant returns from Louisiana and Chicago completing principal photography on his latest feature film, Make It Happen, produced by The Mayhem Project and distributed by The Weinstein Company.
This dance film, based in the world of burlesque revolves around a young woman from a small town who moves to Chicago with dreams of becoming a professional dancer and falls into performing at a burlesque bar, reports Variety.
The Wang Bros:
Veteran creature designer and superb make-up effects artist Steve Wang and brother Michael Wang, an award winning commercials director, has recently been hired to work on "Kamen Rider Dragon Knight" (an adaptation of Kamen Rider Ryuki), a second attempt at reviving Masked Rider and the Kamen Rider franchise in the United States.
The Karma Kollective directing duo writes, produce, and directs as the "The Wang Brothers."
