Almost Certain Unplugged Pt. 3

Here is the third entry in the Almost Certain unplugged video series. This next entry is the song Slide by the Goo Goo Dolls. We had the pleasure of helping to film these videos alongside [kp] mag studios. Enjoy!


Random Movie Fact: In the 2005 film Asylum, when Paramount Pictures secured film rights to the book in 1997, the original plan was to bring Stephen King and Jonathan Demme on board as, respectively, screenwriter and director.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Almost Certain Unplugged

So the first video in a short unplugged video series came out for local indie band Almost Certain. The song is a cover of I Miss You by Blink 182. I had the pleasure of coming with Everett Glovier and Hamid Praya Ali of [kp] mag studios to film the performance. Check it out and let us all know what you think of the performance and the video.


Random Movie Fact: In the 1984 film Splash, before Tom Hanks accepted the role of Allen Bauer, it had already been turned down by John Travolta and Michael Keaton.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

This Past Week

So this week has had its share of ups and downs, which seems to always be the case. I would have been posting up more this week because I had the free time for sure but I have been going through a lot of personal stuff (long story) that has been distracting me from writing. But I digress, the meeting on Monday went really well, I showed up professional attire, great attitude, we had an awesome discussion, so I was really proud of myself and it was a great learning experience. I haven't heard back from them and it is now Saturday, so I am almost confident they ended up going with a different company but we are young and I can see how they could of gone with a more established production house. It was an honor in itself to be considered among the big dogs around the state so I am happy just to have had the opportunity. In other events in my part time job with Render Perfect we did a cool green screen shoot which was a nice experience since I am still getting green screen lighting down to a science and we also had a shoot at the newest Goodwill store with a professional grade Jib, which was cool to see in action.

As far as today I have a meeting at 11:45 with a photo client (finalizing the contract and all that) as well as probably helping with some family business. We have a lot of great stuff coming up I have just had to get over my personal problems, which I am slowly doing...

Random Movie Fact: In the 2011 film A Dangerous Method, Christoph Waltz was initially cast as Freud, but dropped out in favor of Water for Elephants. Had he stayed, it would have been his second collaboration with Michael Fassbender since their work on Inglourious Basterds. Christian Bale was also considered for the role.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Huge Meeting

Today is going to be a big day for us at TTP. We have a huge business meeting with what could be our first big corporate client. Corporate video is usually something that I tend to stay more away from, not because I can't do it just because it doesn't have much appeal to me. However this client proves to be an exception to that case by actually having some really cool stuff going on as a business. It is a unique opportunity for us as a production company and I just hope everyone will be thinking good thoughts today for us. Wish us luck...knock on wood!

I will posting up photos from the charity event we did on October 27th as long as the company receives the raw photos today, if not I will wait for them to get the materials.

Random Movie Fact: In the 2012 film Moonrise Kingdom, Laura Bishop shouts at various family members through a bullhorn. The idea came from co-writer Roman Coppola's childhood, as his mother Eleanor Coppola used a bullhorn in a similar fashion.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

La Cakerie Grand Opening

Today I was with my friend Zach (not the one from the pictures put up yesterday), shooting some footage of the grand opening of the new bakery, La Cakerie in Towson. Zach has contact with the owners and investors of the company and he was asked to film the grand opening today and asked me to tag along, so since I had another client postpone on me, I was able to come and work as a second shooter. It was cool, I got to get all the smooth artsy cut in shots while he focused primarily on getting the wide angle stuff so it was a great pair. The place is in a nice little part of Towson and if you have the time it is worth checking out, the food is delicious and they have great prices on everything. La Cakerie!

In addition to that, I am working on some photo edits for the charity event I did last weekend, I am sorting through a lot of them and if it wasn't for the hurricane I would have had them done a lot sooner but Sandy kind of slowed things down since I didn't have power...however here we are and they should be finished soon. Got some other things coming down the pipeline right now but I am waiting for things to flesh out before I go too deep in discussion with them.

Random Movie Fact: In the 1987 film Masters of the Universe, the reptilian henchman Saurod's throat was made to expand and contract by having the performer, Pons Maar, blow into a tube that ran from his mouth to the throat of his costume.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Looking Forward

So since today is the last day of September I find myself looking forward to new gigs coming up over the next few months. The couple of video jobs I have on tap right now I am very excited to start. The first coming gig is a promotional video I will be doing for a local musician which is awesome for a few reasons. The first being that it is a promo video which I am familiar with how to do but have not done one yet, so great reel material. The second being the look this musician has is perfect vintage style which is exactly how the final video is gonna look which gives me a great bit of artistic range for the promo.

Another upcoming gig is a music video project I am doing in conjunction with a local studio which I have worked with before; [kp] mag. It is a free music video that we are doing for a local band which has a crazy unique sound. We are basically getting close to totally free artistic range on this video as well which is letting me really soar with ideas. It is a nice change of pace for me and will be the first time I really have control over content in the video.

Final gig on tap as of today is a wedding coming up in January which should prove to for a third time in this post be awesome. The wedding will be taking place at the church where Edgar Allen Poe is buried and the theme of the wedding is a masquerade ball. This content on video should look outstanding and be great for a wedding reel. It is not a paid gig but an excellent opportunity for experience filming a wedding. I am actually meeting with the couple today which is very exciting.

As you can see some cool stuff on tap, hopefully more still to come for TTP, but for now at least we will be able to let creativity take control which is what I am most excited for.

Random Movie Fact: In the 2007 film Shoot 'Em Up, the budget for squibs alone was $70,000. On average, you can get 50 squibs for $1,000.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Three Beers Later!

So without any further delay may I present to you the official music video for Three Beers Later by Wesley Spangler. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Three Beers Later from Daniel Hess on Vimeo.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Moving Visuals

I am really excited these days, I see a lot of opportunity for video work coming up for To Tony Productions which is pretty awesome. It was fun to focus a lot on photography for a while and really helped me to expand my thoughts for unique video shots but it is time to get back in the drivers seat for some video projects. I see potential for two music videos, a promo video, and possibly even a video that will play out more like a commercial. I don't know a lot is on my mind so I hope that I can accomplish all I want to and not have anything fall to the wayside. Next month and this month for that matter I see good things, lets work together and make it all come true.

Random Movie Fact: In the 2004 film Taxi, almost all shots in which you see the taxi or other cars in the street, or car stunts performed in the streets, were really filmed in Los Angeles, not New York.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Music Video Deal!

So To Tony Productions is partnering up with [kp] mag (another local production company) to give away a music video at a next to nothing cost. However we are looking for a truly awesome and great band to do this video for. This is a huge deal and just because the cost is severely reduced does not mean that we will be cutting corners on the video end, we want to make something amazing! So if you are a band or know a band that would be interested please email us at totonyproductions@gmail.com, send us a little bit about your band and also any samples of your bands work would be awesome. Thanks in advance and remember this is a one time deal only so don't delay in sending an email.

Random Movie Fact: In the 1998 film Bride of Chucky, when Jennifer Tilly is dancing for Chucky, there is a brief appearence of the top of one of her nipples. This is revealed in the DVD commentary by Jennifer herself.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

So...Hey!

Long time no post from me, sorry on that. I have been drained trying to get myself caught up on all kinds of different projects. Currently I have been working a production company based in Towson, Md on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I am still getting used to that. Also I am getting the music video finished up for Wesley Spangler entitled Three Beers Later, I am all done the color correction and editing...as far as right now I am just waiting for final approval from him. Also I have another client who I did a big photo session for like two weeks ago and I am still waiting on the photos to edit from him. Also I did a shot with a local budding model last Sunday which I will start editing after I get a list of favorites from her. I have been fully immersed in all things video which is great in some ways and also not so great in others, but at the end of the day I am happy to be working.

Random Movie Fact: In the 2005 film Domino, thanks to Gusmano Cesaretti, Michael Mann's regular collaborator, Tony Scott managed to get on screen real-life gang bangers from 18th Street Gang in East Los Angeles.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Changes...

So I have been talking an awful lot about changes coming to To Tony Productions, but haven't really been vocal about what that means. Well I am here to say that TTP will no longer be doing any commercial style video. This means from now on you won't see any music videos or corporate pieces or promos with the TTP logo on it. The one...possibly two music videos I have already started the process with will still bear the TTP name on it but after that no more. Now that does not mean I am giving up on the commercial end, no...I am instead starting a new venture with a few friends of mine which will be set up just for commercial video production. This means all that we do for clients will be under that name. Where does that leave To Tony? Well I am switching my focus to where I have wanted it to be for a while now for one we are doing photography which is to say we will be doing photo work based around clients as well as selling prints of past work to people and the second thing is focusing on only cinema production. With photography as the everyday business and true movie production To Tony Productions I think will do better than ever. My mindset is best served in cinematic production, not commercial based production. TTP isn't going anywhere it is just back to its roots and with a new direction and focus things are going to be better than ever.

Random Movie Fact: In the 2012 film The Dictator, the always lifted point finger of Aladeen was inspired on Cuban dictator 'Fidel Castro' who is always pointing in his speeches.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Free Photography Weekend!

This weekend To Tony Productions is happy to announce we are giving away two free photography sessions! This is a first come first serve basis so hurry quick and email us at totonyproductions@gmail.com to set up a session time. Not to worry though because even after we book our two free sessions we are going to be offering a half price discount on all sessions booked this weekend. So if you are in need of portraits, headshots, action photos, car photography, etc...then email us asap to set up a time! Have a great rest of the week and hopefully we can do some amazing photos for you!

Random Movie Fact: In the 1971 film 10 Rillington Place; filmed in the real Rillington Place, which had changed its name to Ruston Close after the notorious killings. Filming took place both in no. 10 Rillington Place itself as well as no.6. The street was demolished at the end of 1970 and the area was later redeveloped, with completion in 1977, as Bartle Road and St Andrew's Square.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Today's News

So now that I have sent Voicebox out to two festivals the anticipation builds to see what happens next. I hope that I get in but I won't know for a little bit I just hope good things happen.

Anyway today it has been confirmed that I will be getting back into filming high school football games again! My first gig is going to be September 8th at Navy Stadium, filming the Patriot Classic. I am excited since last years event was a lot of fun, and this year only one game is going to be live which takes a lot of pressure off of me, the rest of the games are just for highlights. I am glad to be doing football again and am excited to be getting more paid gigs.

I may have another group of gigs coming up but nothing has been confirmed yet, supposedly I will know by the end of the day so fingers crossed for everything to work out for it. Besides that it seems I will be filming a music video on the 9th of September and I am in the process of finishing up the Three Beers Later music video.

Random Movie Fact: In the 2001 film The Others, the disease the children have is an actual disease known as xeroderma pigmentosum. It is very rare with roughly a thousand people in the world that have it.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Coming Soon

Country music video, Voicebox, some more photography, and a pop music video this fall.

Wanted to keep it brief today!

Random Movie Fact: In the 2002 film Red Dragon, Edward Norton is the only actor who appears with two other actors who played the famous role of Lecter - Brian Cox and Anthony Hopkins. Norton would later appear with Cox in 25th Hour.

Who Am I?

I feel like I put up a lot of posts talking about To Tony Productions which is obvious because this is what this blog is all about. That being said I feel like I never talk about who I am. Well let me take this time to introduce myself. My name is Daniel Hess, I started To Tony Productions two years ago with the vision to one day create films that share new ideas and thoughts. Back then I was merely a sophomore in college, just really getting my traction when it comes to film but I had a big dream. I named the company for my cousin Anthony because ever since he passed away from CF I always wanted to do my best to make him proud, so I named my production company after him. Now To Tony Productions is picking up steam as a full service production company, currently we are finishing our second music video, starting a third up in September, and soon to be releasing Voicebox.

What about myself...well I am just an average guy I guess. I am currently freelancing and working for different companies in the video field. In my free time I like to watch movies, exercise, play with my dog Lexi, and write. This year has brought about the most change in my life since probably 2008. In the month of May I finished college at Towson University and quit my job of five years at Oak Crest Village. I decided that the rest of this year would be committed to finding work in the film/video industry full time. My plan is to have something concrete before the winter, if not however I will probably just have to settle for a full time job somewhere which would suck but it is a means to an end. Yeah I consider myself a workaholic when it comes to video production but I love it too much not to pour my heart and soul into it.

Random Movie Fact: In the 2000 film Meet the Parents,  The scenes at the "Surf and Turf" restaurant were filmed at a Port Washington, NY restaurant called "Louie's". The car racing scenes between Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro were also filmed in downtown Port Washington. Also, the scene where Stiller and De Niro go shopping is in Port Washington at Salem Drugs.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Sorry For Not Posting More

I have been driving myself pretty thin these past few days and pushing out all the energy I have has not been leaving me much motivation to keep posting on here. I am not complaining and love all the work I get, with all the travel and everything it is just draining. However I am here to provide some updates for everyone. Well as of right now there is only one final day of filming for the Wesley Spangler music video and that will just be a day of B-roll to add in more content to the video. It was a fun music video and super goofy, can't wait to put that out for everyone to see. Also I have finally gotten the last piece of music done for Voicebox and now it is just some small tweaks away from being totally done, more on that to come. I am doing color correction and foley work for a client who has contracted me out for it and that is almost done.

For upcoming projects I have some down the road and some approaching immediately. This whole weekend I will be down in Arlington, Virginia at the county fair doing photography. The event is to promote people to find different modes of transportation in VA without driving alone, the county is trying to push for people to carpool, walk, bike, use public transportation, etc. Basically I am going to be taking fun pictures of people with the alternate mode of transport they use. It is about 4 hours each day for three days, not a huge chunk of time but should be some fun. Down the road I have another music video that I am hoping to start filming on between the 20-30th of August and have it involve a two day shoot. The song is great and the artist is great, I can't wait to make something beautiful for a beautiful song. Otherwise there are things brewing in my head for independent projects but that is down the road, some things that don't even involve film (crazy right)?

Random Movie Fact: In the 2002 film The Bourne Identity, the film was originally scheduled to be released in June 2001, but was delayed because of re-shoots ordered by director Doug Liman, including the car chase that takes place in the middle of the film.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

This Week is Gonna Be BUSY!

This week coming up looks like it is going to be pretty busy! Tomorrow I have to head down to Virginia to fill out some paperwork for that company that is going to contract me out to do some gigs for them. That is in the morning then in the afternoon around 2pm I am going to be setting up for the final part of Wesley Spangler's video Three Beers Later and we are going to be doing that until we finish up which will probably be at the latest 8pm. On Tuesday I am going to be at [kp] mag recording studio doing some foley work for a project I got hired on to do post production for. After that around 6pm I am doing a volunteer photo gig for a city housing project which looks to be pretty cool it is just a little community get together. Then on Wednesday I have an eye doctor appointment lol, so that day and Thursday things look like they are going to settle down. Finally this weekend if all things work out I will be doing my first gig down in Virginia for a county fair just taking pictures to promote a city driving initiative in Arlington. So that will be the 10th-12th in the afternoon. Wish me luck on all of this I hope it all pans out and everything goes through.

Random Movie Fact: In the 1989 film Do the Right Thing, all of the scenes of the "Corner Men" Robin Harris, Paul Benjamin, and Frankie Faison were improvised.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Chill Work Day

Today I finished up another treatment for a music video, which I hope to finish before the end of August. I tried to keep the video as confined as possible but at the same time tell a good story to go along with the song. I feel I accomplished both very well, now it is just time to get feedback from the client. I hope they like it since it will make production easier and also help me to stay focused on the vision a little bit better. I really want things to work out with this gig since I really like the artist and just simply really want to make this music video. Also today I am working on some color correction for a client who recently finished up a little short film, the biggest issue is blown out backgrounds, like where the light comes in. I was asked to get rid of it but the light is peaking really bad so I don't know if there is going to be much I can do at the end of the day the only thing that may save the shoot is to redo it, but I will do what I can. Otherwise today I want to try and wash my car and maybe write up a little photo contract for another upcoming gig.

Random Movie Fact: In the 2002 film Phone Booth, during the movie, when the Caller warns Stu not to move, he says that "you pull out your wallet and BOOM! - you get shot at 41 times". This is a reference to the killing of Amadou Diallo, an innocent man who matched the description of a serial rapist. The police approached him and he pulled out his wallet. They mistakenly thought it was a gun and shot 41 times between four officers, hitting him 19 times and killing him.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Productive Day Ahead!

So today I have a business meeting in the morning to finalize the date for an upcoming music video for a local musician. This will be the first big paid video I have ever done and I as of right now things are moving together nicely with it. We have a location, people for crew, people for cast, and also a good mindset of which shots to use. But yeah it should be a short meeting, but to the point I am excited to have a firm date finally.

In addition to that I have a photoshoot today with Mary, the model from the Jill Valentine photoshoot. She has more costumes and locations to use so I am super excited. She is really cool and chill to work with, and we have a lot more shoots coming up in the future besides this one, which I can't wait for to be honest.

Random Movie Fact: In the 1994 movie, Chungking Express, since Chungking Express was filmed in sequence or "like a road movie" as Wong Kar-Wai has said, Wong wrote each scene either the night before or on the morning on the day of filming.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Stress Coming

Well the music video is either totally off or just plain postponed for a while. Client was trying to get me to switch the whole direction of the video last second and also just plain trying to get me put in a risky situation. Without insurance and all that, I just didn't feel comfortable all around. I was talking to his upper management today so hopefully they can chat with him and straighten things all out but for right now things aren't looking too chipper. More work coming up soon though so there is plenty of time to make good content this month. Let us not make this a wasted day!

Random Movie Fact: In the 2006 film The Science of Sleep, Sam Mounier gave Michel Gondry the idea for the film when Gondry asked the then 10-year-old Mounier to come up with a bed time story. Literally the next day, Gondry began writing the script.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess