A full service production office boasts six workstations complete with
phones, fax, copiers and printers. Make up and wardrobe rooms are available
to accommodate multiple actors at one time.  The lunchroom doubles as a
still photography/insert studio when needed. Overlooking the action, a
suspended loft serves as the on-set client lounge.  High-speed internet
access, both wired and wireless, are located throughout the studio giving
clients the opportunity to upload images or campaigns directly to the web.

Cine Rent West offers ample parking and is well situated in the Northwest
Production Center of Northwest Portland. This bustling industrial area is
close to all major freeways and the Portland International Airport.

Well, the people at Kroger Foods are trying to put a stop to this. Not to Valentine’s Day, just the tears. As part of their February merchandising, they now carry cards, candy and gifts for every budget. This means every child in every class will now receive a note saying, “I think you’re neato. XOXO, Megatron.”

So we were especially proud that the Kroger people chose to shoot the TV spot for their Valentine’s campaign in our spacious studio. Good thing we weren’t shooting sound, because all day long we kept hearing the sound of harps and Cupid’s wings.

But lo, how things have changed since Wieden+Kennedy introduced the skillet-forging blacksmith for Kraft Foods.

Now when you mention the yellow metal, everyone assumes you’re talking about the magical ingredient in Velveeta Cheesy Skillets. (If they don’t, try holding up a cast iron pan and crying out “Liquid Gooooold!” in an operatic baritone.)

Recently, W+K visited Cine Rent West where they filmed a sumptuous banquet table, which we were told has something to do with the Cheesy Skillets campaign. Feast your eyes on our lavish set and the real star of the spots (the pitcher of Liquid Gold). Then scroll down to the see the original TV spot. And if you’re really curious, you can read the New York Times article, which gives way more detail than we were interested in.

BTW, January seems to be Cheese Month here at Cine Rent West.

So they hired Studio Bard to produce their their Annual Employee Appreciation Event with an American Idol theme. To do that sort of theme justice, you really need video clips of people singing a cappella with a number pinned to the front of their shirt. That’s where we came in.

We created a very realistic looking “Idol” audition set on our soundstage, complete with a celebrity judges table. (Curtis Salgado was among the noted adjudicators.) All that was missing was Randy Jackson saying, “Dog, that was a little pitchy.” Their Pacific Office Automation colleagues voted for best singer at the live event.

As expected, most of the sales people sounded better than the average Idol contestant.

The kids started running and screaming, and then shooting each other with cross-bows and dart guns. Fortunately, this is exactly how we hoped they’d behave when they got their hands on the awesome Zing weaponry: Air Bows, Pop Shotz, Pop Flyz, Pop Balls, and all kinds of air-powered ballistic missiles. Alan never flinched, snapping photo after photo of the melee–while we screamed “save yourselves!” and ran for cover.

Zing has designed their indoor and outdoor active, action toys for throwing, catching, bouncing fun. So they help kids stay fit thru active play.

In just a day and a half, our Cine Rent West production crew shot enough footage for six spots. All with that gal who has the great Australian accent. You’ll soon see them airing on cable networks around the country.

Bushwacker is a Northwest company that locally manufactures the toughest, and best looking fender flares, bedrail and tailgate caps, bumper protection, and that cool trail armor for Jeeps.

At Cine Rent West we decided to meet this problem head-on. We weren’t going to take the chance that a few career-ruining photos would emerge after our 1st Annual Northwest Production Center Holiday Party. We were going to make sure there were dozens of them.

So we provided the props, wardrobe, and the department-store-photo-studio-lighting that would make our clients, colleagues and friends look their worst. Then we used a live DJ, food, drink, and lots of holiday cheer to lure them in front of the camera. (We had help from Greystone Media, Aplern LLC, MB Tax Pro, Red Door Designs, RMG, Chris Ryan Photography, and Morinaka Law–so don’t even THINK about suing us).

If you don’t find these funny, you’re probably in one. Find and download your tacky photo here.

Yes, but just barely.

During the recent “Old Spice MANta Claus” shoot, the first man of fragrance (played by Isaiah Mustafa) gave away gifts to 7 billion people, forcing us to occasionally open the side doors to make room for his vast magnanimity. Wieden+Kennedy produced a series of 36 holiday-themed YouTube videos for client Old Spice in which the-man-in-the towel gifted various groups and individuals.

Sometimes funny, sometimes touching, but always in the best taste. See below for a few examples. (Scroll completely to the bottom for a major spoiler.)

Funny.

Touching.

Respectful of the elderly.

See the entire series here.

And now the promised spoiler. DO NOT CONTINUE READING IF YOU THINK OLD SPICE MAN WAS REALLY IN A COZY LOG CABIN.

The whole thing was really shot on a set in our studio.

You can also see that the wood stove pipe doesn’t even go through the roof.

For the tech savvy, the Phantom Flex:

• Shoot 5-2570 fps at 1920 x 1080
• 1200 ISO
• HQ Mode for ultimate image quality
• Raw digital and/or video workflow solutions
• Flexible lens solutions

For the non tech savvy, this camera:

• Kicks total ass.

Don’t believe us?  The proof is in the pudding, or in this case some kind of weird, black inky stuff.

Maybe the most popular shot captured with the Phantom Flex is the infamous shark attack from Planet Earth.

Below are some shots from this incredible shoot:

At the age of 92, Mr. Meyer passed away, but before he did, he got into the fine jewelry business with Fred Meyer Jewelers.  Currently, with 375 locations, you’ll find Fred Meyer Jewelers in malls, select Fred Meyer stores, select Kroger Marketplace stores, and online, continuing to offer the ultimate in convenience, quality, value and customer service.

Last week, CB&S Advertising visited the studio shooting for Fred Meyer Jewelers.