Poptent/XLNTads + VidOpp are giving online videos that did not win the original contests they were created for a second chance at winning. 2 of our favorite videos that did not win last year have been submitted for their second chance. Each month a new video will be chosen as the winner. We submitted Carmex – Do You Share? and Food Baton Relay – Pretzel Dog vs Hot Dog.

The first winner will be announced on November 9th.

Courtesy of Keith Grauman, here are some more behind-the-scenes photos from the production of ‘The Ride Home.’

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A FUN AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!!!

Last weekend, our latest short film, The Ride Home, premiered at the LeDuc Mansion’s annual Harvest Festival.

The film screened about every 15 minutes from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and aside from the one lady who walked out half-way through the first screening and the boisterous ghost in the cellar, the screenings went well and the film was well-received.

The best screening was a room full of high school kids who laughed at all the right times and were at full-attention during the more suspenseful moments.

The film was written, produced, and edited in a matter of three weeks. Obviously, we couldn’t have done it without the cast and crew. So, here’s a shout out to those who contributed to the film: Thank You!!!

The Ride Home credits
CREW
Director: Justin Schaack
Producer: Kristn Schaack
Cinematographer: Luke J. Ogrodnik
Editor: Justin Schaack
Special FX: Luke J. Ogrodnik
Best Boy: Mike Schaack
Grips: Michael Kampa, Joren Skov + Tom Wright
Music: Michael Kampa
Still Photographer: Keith Grauman
Writers: Justin Schaack + Kristin Schaack
Special Thanks: Dakota County Historical Society, Heidi Langenfeld, Chad Roberts, Green Mill Hastings, Lights on Minneapolis, HCTV14, Jake Berens

CAST
John Burgess
Ryann Berens
Crane Adams
Robin Starch
Jahnna Randall
Mike Rylander

For the upcoming Harvest Festival at the LeDuc Mansion, we were asked if we had any new Halloween/scary films that we could show at the event. Although, we didn’t have anything in the can, we knew we could make something happen in three weeks…Nothing like always putting a tight deadline on our projects!

So, our thinking caps went on and our story emerged. Friday night we started filming. Shooting the first few scenes at our house, aka ‘Lovers Lane’. Although, cold with light precipitation, we successfully finished our outdoor shooting with only one visit from the city police at 2:30 a.m. No worries though, he was extremely friendly and just interested what all the lights were about.

Saturday we shot the majority of the film at our favorite location – the LeDuc Mansion. Many thanks to Heidi + Chad and the LeDuc Estate for their great hospitality, as always. To us, it feels like a second home. And a special thanks to the Green Mill for donating pizzas for us. It was greatly appreciated especially at 11 o’clock at night with 7 hours still to go!

We had a lot to shoot, inside and out [in 30 degree weather]. In order to finish our last shot, it truly was a race against the sun. It was a close race, but we won! We had a great cast and crew who were troopers. From 5:30 p.m. Saturday to 8:00 a.m. Sunday, no complaints and great energy all the way through. Thanks everyone!

So, here are few behind-the-scenes photos from the night. We will have some more professional photos to share, thanks to Keith Grauman. But for now, you can enjoy my point and shoot pics!

Friday + Saturday Shoot Nights

On September 26th, the gang from Word on the Street headed downtown to the Pantages Theater for an evening of glitz and glamor. After sitting through a four hour show to honor TV programming and technical achievements throughout the upper midwest, we went home empty handed.

It’s hard to be too disappointed knowing that we were up against 11 different shows in a category that was so broad, it’s hard to compare a late-night comedy show to a memorabilia clip show.

This was the first year that our category [Community-Cable-Public Access Television – Edited Program] was recognized at the Emmys. It had the most entries and most nominations of all the categories. Out of approximately 30 some entries in our category, we really can say that it was truly an honor to be nominated.

And although we didn’t bring home the gold, HCTV news did – so a shout out to Justin and the news crew for their great work!!

Despite our loss, we still had a fabulous time, with many stories and great memories. Until next year, raise a plastic cup of wine to future episodes of Word on the Street!

* to see all the winners, click here. to view the show that took home the Emmy in our category, click here*

There’s a new episode of Word on the Street! This episode includes a tutorial, game, and some very important public service announcements! Be sure to check it out!

Countdown to the Emmy’s: 27 Hours!! Check back for updates on the evening, pics, video, and of course to find out if we took home a statue!

Justin, myself, Logan, Tom + Tom, all got together last Tuesday for a very productive writing session for the next episode of Word on the Street scheduled to air this Friday, as well as ideas for future episodes. As you can see from the picture below, we got a lot of ideas down on screen…

countdown to the Midwest Emmy’s: 6 days!

Just a few pics from shooting Word on the Street interviews downtown a few weeks ago. New episode to air soon, and many changes for the show ahead – stay tuned!