Metro Completes "The Wrong Family"

Metro Productions is pleased to announce the completion of “The Wrong Family: Fighting Back Against Gangs in Virginia,” produced for the Office of the Attorney General of VA. Out of a competitive pool of 15 production houses, Metro won the bid to create the video, geared toward preventing gang growth and development in Virginia.

Featuring interview footage with gang members, law enforcement, government officials, and parents, producer/director Tim Farrow wove together a powerful 25-minute video production consisting of real-life stories, evidence, and footage gathered from across the state. Tim chose not to use any narrator, instead opting to let the interviews tell the story, resulting in a video both compelling and dynamic. Footage of actual gang activity, crime scenes, and crime victims were all integrated into the final video, adding to the overall message that gang activity is a reality in Virginia. Our small towns are at risk, despite the comfortable- and false- belief that gangs are only found in big cities. Gangs will go wherever they can function; this video will help to increase awareness, in hopes that everyone- police, social workers, healthcare workers, socially responsible groups such as the Boys and Girls Club, and parents- will work together to make Virginia entirely inhospitable for gangs, and put an end to this growing problem.

The media release for “The Wrong Family” was on November 18th, 2008; following its release, the video will be shown to law enforcement, parents, in schools, and to anyone else who can have a part in ending gang activity.

Metro's HD Edit Upgrade

Metro Productions is pleased to announce an upgrade to our Richmond production facilities to include High Definition editing capabilities. The upgrade to this AVID Adrenaline HD system along with a Blue-ray DVD duplicator and multiple HD cameras completes Metro’s move to full HD production. Delivery of the first Blue-ray HD program is slated for February 2009. The addition of this system gives the Richmond facility 4 AVID edit suites including an Adrenaline and Mojo system.

Metro Productions Takes Five in 29th Annual Telly Awards

Metro Productions is a five-time winner in the 29th Annual Telly Awards, a widely known, highly regarded national and international competition of creative work. Among 14,000 entries from five continents, four videos submitted by Metro Productions garnered prestigious accolades in five categories. “The Robotics Day” took home two Silver Tellys for Editing as well as for Animation. “The Army Family Covenant at Carlisle Barracks” was honored with a Bronze Telly. “I’m In” and “We Are Northrop Grumman Technical Services,” two videos produced for long-standing client Northrop Grumman, each earned a Bronze Telly.

"I'm In," created specifically to capture Northrop Grumman's commitment and support for our Nation's military, received a Bronze award in the Non-Broadcast Motivational Video category. Northrop Grumman commissioned Metro to tell their story creatively by showcasing how the hard work at Northrop Grumman impacts soldiers on the frontlines.

To provide the client with an innovative and unique product, Metro Productions ventured into a new creative territory - songwriting. Metro wrote the lyrics for an original song and collaborated with a studio in Nashville, Tennessee on music. The final product is a country-style music video entitled "I'm In," which tells a generational story from World War II through today, focusing on the selfless service and dedication of the defense industry worker throughout history.

"We Are Northrop Grumman Technical Services," a Bronze-winner in the Non-Broadcast Corporate Image category, explores what it takes to become a champion, as well as what it takes to remain a champion. Adrenaline-charged scenes of NFL players on the football field transition to scenes of Northrop Grumman employees on the job, conveying the importance of perseverance and teamwork in every victory. Acquiring footage of Northrop Grumman's dedicated employees led the Metro Productions crew to the National Training Center in the deserts of Fort Irwin, California and to Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.

"Both of these videos have proven very successful in communicating our key messages to both our internal and external audiences." said David Apt, Director, Communications, Northrop Grumman Technical Services. "The quality and differing formats, including using a music video, provides us great flexibility for product use."

Founded in 1978, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work of the world's most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments.

Five Years of High Def at Metro Productions

Five years ago, we began our journey into the new world of High Definition video. It has been a great trip with a bounty of unbelievable imagery and astounded clients along the way.

From a picturesque tour through a botanical garden, to a moving music video of a soldier's journey to war and back, to a high impact movie trailer, our High Definition projects have hit the mark every time. With the impending push to Digital Television, this experience puts Metro at the forefront of the HD revolution.

To mark the occasion, we are premiering a new demo that showcases our High Definition work. Contact Metro for a high-resolution copy of our demo and to learn more about how to put HD to work for you.

View our HD Demo

Metro Welcomes Charley Baxter!

Charley Baxter: Director of Operations

Need someone to manage a fleet of wooden sailing ships, control explosives, shutdown a fan-filled football stadium or go to the FBI Academy with you? Call Charley.

On January 2, 2008, veteran filmmaker Charley Baxter joined Metro Productions as Director of Operations. Charley has earned a reputation among top cinema professionals as “the man who gets things done.”

After receiving his B.F.A. in Theater Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University, Charley set out to become an actor. He began by auditioning to be a film extra – a part he didn't get. However, he did get a job as a production assistant in the Location Department. Driven by his passion for the ability to create, Charley has worked in the film and video industry ever since.

Before joining Metro Productions, he worked in television and feature films as Production Supervisor, Production Manager, Location Manager, Director and Producer. His past co-workers include Tom Hanks, Anthony Hopkins, Colin Ferrell, Christian Bale, Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, Jessica Lange and Sissy Spacek. And although Charley was denied that role as an extra years ago, his acting is now featured in scenes alongside Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfus and Samuel L. Jackson.

As Location Manager of The Replacements, Charley accomplished staggering logistical assignments. The script called for a scene of the fictional team playing football in stadium packed with fans. The solution wasn't simple. During the half-time of a professional football game, the cast and crew had a strict nine-minute window of opportunity to get on the field, capture the perfect shots and leave the premises. They counted on Charley and he made it happen.

The cast and crew of Ridley Scott’s Hannibal relied on Charley for more than just logistics. In preparation for her leading role as Clarice Starling, Julianne Moore faced the daunting task of attending the FBI Academy at Quantico. She was too apprehensive and intimidated to go alone -- so she took Charley. Humored by his attempts at each challenge, Moore followed with enough confidence in her own abilities to take on the obstacles.

A short time later, he emerged from the numerous fires and explosives in Ladder 49 to manage (among other things) a fleet of 17th century styled ships in The New World. Out of all of these ambitious undertakings, Charley is particularly fond of his experiences in HBO’s mini-series John Adams, Joe Johnston’s feature film October Sky and Frank Oz’s What About Bob?.

While he has amassed an extensive list of achievements within the production industry, he proudest of his three children. So when you need “the man who gets things done,” don’t just check the movie sets -- look for him around town with his family, along the banks of the James River with his pet Boxer, or in his office right here at Metro Productions.

Metro Hosts 2008 AMA Ad Bowl

Major companies spent approximately $2.7 million per 30-second commercial spot in this year’s Super Bowl. On February 6th, regional marketing and advertising professionals gathered together in our studio to decide whether or not those spots are really worth the price.

For the second consecutive year, Metro Productions hosted the American Marketing Association's Ad Bowl. The Ad Bowl, a review of the year's biggest Super Bowl commercials, is considered one of the region's signature marketing events.

The evening began with light hors d'oeuvres and beverages provided by Metro. Critics discussed the top commercials including Budweiser’s Rocky spoof, FedEx’s carrier pigeons, Toyota’s sleeping badgers, SoBe Life Water’s dancing lizards.

The analyses featured commentary from special guests including moderator Peter Kaufman and panelists Daryl Ellis of Riber Sports Marketing Group, Terry Taylor of Big River Advertising, Ron Payton of Diversity Advertising and our own Director of Operations Charley Baxter.