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So excited to have been a part of this great Sangre De Malta piece for the World Cup. Many thanks to @dieste_inc @letcafilms Director @jorgecolon DP @pablomercadodp and editor @jcol23 #nevertooearly #colorist #colordays #postproduction #worldcup #worldcup2018 #advertising #greatteamsmakegreatwork (at Nice Shoes)

#worldcup #postproduction #nevertooearly #greatteamsmakegreatwork #advertising #worldcup2018 #colordays #colorist

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A beautiful spot for GMC. Many thanks to @mrm_mccann Detroit @wiebke_engel @c_bissonnette @plutogram @saint_ward (at Nice Shoes)

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A few more from “All or Nothing: The Michigan Wolverines” on Prime. @niceshoesonline #HDR #highdynamicrange #colorist #allornothing #amazonprimevideo #prime #documentary #docu #michiganwolverines #michigan #football #collegefootball #colorgrading (at Nice Shoes)

#documentary #allornothing #amazonprimevideo #michigan #hdr #collegefootball #docu #colorgrading #highdynamicrange #colorist #michiganwolverines #football #prime

[color-maestro]

“All or Nothing: The Michigan Wolverines” on Prime. Got to work with some great people on this. Loved this project. @niceshoesonline #HDR #highdynamicrange #colorist #allornothing #amazonprimevideo #prime #documentary #michiganwolverines #football #colorgrading (at Nice Shoes)

#prime #amazonprimevideo #hdr #colorist #allornothing #colorgrading #documentary #highdynamicrange #michiganwolverines #football

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"One shot is all we get but it's all you need to change everything.....". Congrats to my friend @johnjbudion on you world premiere. Loved being a part of this incredible film #independentfilm #RockawayTheFilm #filmfeatival #RIIFF2017 #directorextraordinaire #colordays #mustseedilms #providenceRI #IndieFilm (at Nice Shoes)

#independentfilm #riiff2017 #directorextraordinaire #indiefilm #rockawaythefilm #colordays #mustseedilms #filmfeatival #providenceri

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Such a fantastic ride around Manhattan. #NYC #nywaterways #goodfriends @soundloungeny @niceshoesonline (at New York, New York)

#nywaterways #nyc #goodfriends

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Thank you for a beautiful ride @soundloungeny @niceshoesonline (at New York, New York)

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"I am Pono" An incredible project I had the pleasure of working on wth some truly talented people. @ccusumano1 #iampono #pono #burgers #colordays #delish #foodisbeauty #foodgradedthewayitshouldbe (at Nice Shoes)

#foodisbeauty #colordays #burgers #iampono #pono #foodgradedthewayitshouldbe #delish

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Just had one of the most surreal days of my life. I played a soccer match against Iron Maiden!!! #holyshit #surreal #ironmaiden #steveharrisisawesome #whataday #vipstonighttoo

#holyshit #vipstonighttoo #steveharrisisawesome #surreal #ironmaiden #whataday

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Fantastic to reconnect with an incredibly talented group. #Repost @niceshoesonline (@get_repost) ・・・ @armenexpo and @dutty_the_french teamed with @colormaestro on this awesome piece for @bergdorfs and @jahnk0y #colorgrading #fashion #postproduction Repost via @dutty_the_french ・・・ Dir: @armenexpo Dir of photography: @adrienbertolle Music: @struckbymusic Color: @colormaestro Edit and vfx: @dutty_the_french

#repost #fashion #postproduction #colorgrading

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Still love this beautiful Music video I did years ago. #shontelle #wishthiswasmytrainstation #colordays #colorist #niceshoes #paradoxal #stunning @armenexpo @niceshoesonline (at Nice Shoes)

#stunning #colorist #shontelle #niceshoes #wishthiswasmytrainstation #colordays #paradoxal

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Nice Humans: Lenny Mastrandrea

This week’s Nice Humans features Nice Shoes Colorist, and karaoke singer extraordinaire, Lenny Mastrandrea. A few weeks ago, while at a live band karaoke party hosted by Extreme Music (add a link to their site), Lenny wowed me with his amazing performance and voice. Not to mention, it’s an entirely different ballgame when karaoke is with a LIVE BAND and not just the track playing in the background. I knew this wasn’t a hidden talent and there was definitely a history to Lenny’s act.

(Photo Courtesy of Extreme Music)

What is your role here at Nice Shoes? The Singing Colorist/Presentation Master. I don’t do hair, despite my fine locks.  I fine tune images captured on any kind of camera, be it film (man, I miss film), or any file-based camera. Taking footage from an all day shoot and adding a cohesive color balance takes time to learn. Then, there is a whole other level of art, where a colorist takes into account the message being conveyed and accentuates that message through color. An experienced colorist can create something beautiful that will stand out in an overwhelming sea of media.

What is your out-of-the-office hobby/talent?   It’s hard to narrow it down to one. Soccer, building things (I was a contractor in another life, there isn’t much I can’t build), and singing.

When did you begin practicing –or- for how long have you been singing? What made you start? I never practiced before I started. I just sang in the car all of the time. In college, some of my buddies said, “Let’s start a band, you can sing.” To which I said, “Sure, let’s do it.” (I was not shy). Then they suggested joining the college chorus. “You can read music, the Doctor of Music will give you the first few notes and you just sing the rest.” When I finished the Doctor said, “What were you in High School, first or second tenor?“ I said first. His reply? “You are first tenor again.”

How does it make you feel?   It makes me feel like nothing else does. I pick songs based on emotion.  When I used to be up on stage with any one of my three bands, I felt it. It’s the emotional connection to a song that brings forth the energy. Each song brings me back to a certain time in my life and that is the drive behind my voice.

How often do you sing karaoke or perform? Sadly, only two to three times a year. But if you hear of any bands in need of a stand in singer, let me know.

What is your favorite songs to perform and why? Cold as Ice by Foreigner- It comes on very strong and hushes any crowd.  I love doing that. Blaze of Glory by Bon Jovi- Because Wanted Dead or Alive is way too overused.  And an old friend told me I sing it better than Bon Jovi. Porch By Pearl Jam- Sad thing about this one is that I have only found it on one karaoke list ever.  THAT is the best Pearl Jam song ever. Black Hole Sun- Because its Chris Cornell

What songs do you wish you could master?   Many of you may not know who this is, but anything by Queensryche.  Geoff Tate’s voice is incredible. The Last in Line - Ronnie James Dio- Best Metal singer, IMO Sexual Healing - Marvin Gaye- Never even attempted, but would love to

Have you ever suffered from any injuries while performing? No. Not even when I used to jump off tower speakers in college. I had a cordless Mic, (which was uncommon back then) so I was very active on stage. I did have some sore throats after weekends when I sang 3 sets 2 nights in a row.  

(Photo of Lenny back in the day, rocking out with his band - note the hair)

What inspires your craft? As you can see, I’m a bit of a performer at heart. I like to wow and impress.  I think singing and performing have provided me with a confidence that aids me in of a suite full of clients every day.  

One last point you might like, my bands were Shattered Glass Red Goose Shoes Blue Ruin

Funny that two of them had colors in the name. My next band will have to be Green.

Next time you’re looking for a karaoke partner, or a lead singer for your metal band, I would recommend Lenny, hands down. I think I’m going to make sure I get the opportunity to sing a duet with him at some point or another. Us Nice Shoesers do enjoy our karaoke, so don’t be surprised if you see a group of us out next time you’re at the local karaoke bar!

[color-maestro]

Beccammendations: Volume 14, Minneapolis Edition by Oscar Oboza

This week I have a very special edition of Beccammendations, written by Oscar Oboza, Nice Shoes Minneapolis Colorist and fellow foodie! Since I personally don’t know much about this Twin City, I asked Oscar’s Color Assistant Brian Morris what Minnesotans were all about, he gave me this lengthy response: The stereotype is that Minnesotans are passive-aggressive Lutherans from Norwegian or Swedish descent that suppress their emotions and drink weak coffee, think catsup is just spicy enough and all talk like characters from the movie Fargo (That last one is largely true). 

HA! Here’s what Oscar has to say about Brothers Deli!

When folks visit from the New York office, the first place I like to take them for lunch is Brothers Deli, which is a nice quick two buildings away via our famed Skyway system (more on that later).  There’s a lot of pressure involved in taking a New Yorker here, but once they’ve had a chance to eat a sandwich here, they’re pretty much hooked.  Maybe it’s because Brothers owner, Jeff Burstein, apprenticed at the famed Carnegie Deli, and that his family has been running the business for a good part of 80 years.  It doesn’t hurt that he also always orders his corned beef and pastrami from a kosher butcher in the Bronx.  My favorite is the sandwich named ‘Cousin Tony’, where hot corned beef and pastrami are piled on, with juicy tomatoes, Switzerland swiss cheese, sweet red onions and thousand island dressing, all on double baked rye.  Get ready for an afternoon nap once you finish!

There are a range of sandwiches in every category you could ask for, including turkey, chicken, beef brisket, fish and pork.    And when you’re not in the mood for a sandwich, perhaps Pam’s Strawberry Chicken salad, with grilled chicken, strawberries, almonds and romaine mix along with a creamy poppyseed dressing will fit the bill.

Maybe the best part though is, once you’ve chosen your entree, the trip over to the buffet cart, where you can load up side dishes.  I suggest getting a couple of spoonfuls of what may be the best potato salad you’ll ever have.  There’s also pickled herring, three bean salad, cole slaw and sliced beets.  Mix and match as you please.  Even go back for seconds and thirds if you want!

Finally, you may have also heard that winter’s here in Minneapolis can get a little cold.  That’s the beauty of being connected via the Skyway system, which is a set of enclosed footbridges, located on the second floor of various buildings throughout downtown.  It could be -10 outside, but you can walk over to Brothers without ever putting a coat on!  What would be better on such a frigid day that ordering a bowl of Brothers matzo ball soup?

So if you ever get to visit Nice Shoes Minneapolis, you know where I’m taking you first!

[color-maestro]

by Lenny Mastrandrea, Colorist

It is a rare occasion that someone in my line of work is interviewed regarding his work on a major motion picture. In Birdman, Technicolor colorist Steve Scott played a major role in providing a sense on continuity throughout the film.

Birdman has a truly...

[color-maestro]

Look and Feel

With it’s attention to fun and only fun, many people consider Halloween to be their favorite Holiday.  Its certainly one of mine. And it may be the holiday with the best selection of horror movies (followed by Christmas, which has such classics as Silent Night, Deadly Night; Black Christmas; and Silent Night, Deadly Night 2).

  On this Eve of All Hallows Eve, I would like to pay homage to perhaps one of the best Halloween movies ever made.  The film emcompasses all of the classic horror elements.  A dark, foreboding theme, a scary monster and Christopher Walken.  Ok maybe the last part isn’t a classic horror element, but he adds his own personal touch of cowbell to any movie.  

  As with any major motion picture, the attention to detail is incredible.  Other than Johnny Depp, the biggest star of this film is the look and feel.  Why look and “feel”?  Because the look enhances the feel of the film.  Without the overall desaturated color palate this would be an entirely different movie.  The blue tones that appeared whenever the Headless Horseman is onscreen gave the scene an icy feel.  Visually chilling you to the bone.  Imagine these same scenes with normal, natural colors.  The imagery is just dull.  It is a rare thing for a feature’s approach to color grading be essential to the films core.  

  A term commonly used for what a Colorist does is “color correct”.  The term “correct” infers repair.  Fixing common mistakes made at a shoot.  Sometimes these are not mistakes but lighting discrepancies.  When shooting all day long in natural daylight, much attention is often paid to marrying the differences in dynamic light.  That is color correcting.

  The look of Sleepy Hollow was created not by someone attempting to repair, but by a Colorist who was creating art.  Anyone can attempt to create something natural.  Anyone can put an Instagram-type of look on a project and call it style.  But marrying content with style and creating something that stands out in a sea of media is what a true Colorist does.

 https://vimeo.com/33350831

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X-Men Days of Future Past: Catching Quicksilver A great way to employ one of the industry's greatest cameras

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M&S Food - TV Ad 2014