If you were blown away by the film “Act of Valor”, which features real U.S. Seals, you’ll love the upcoming reality series Combat Clips (working title) which features actual combat video, shot by real U.S. combat troops. We were proud to create the “call to action” video for the Pilot.

Leadership in Action (LIA) asked Realize and Rip Media to promote their upcoming leadership conference with one of our informative videos. They are a sort of, poor-man’s TED conference, for those of us that can’t afford tens of thousands of dollars to participate. If you have some world-changing ideas or just want to hear about some, you should attend.

Since last October, Realize has been working on “Corporate” projects in it’s alliance with Rip Media Group. Many of our clients are non-profits, and many others are in the education world, which is close to my heart. Here is the first video that we did for Seattle-based Alliance For Education (AFE). We are currently working on the second video for these wonderful folks.

Some very exciting news came today - and news that you can now officially share with your family, friends and fans. Goodnight Burbank is going to TV!!! Yep, the 6 episodes we shot in the garage are heading to cable/satellite channel HDnet. Mark Cuban, the CEO, happened to see GNB the day it debuted on Hulu and asked if he could the series onto his network the very next day.
The show premieres Oct 12, Wednesday at 9pm ET and run for the next 6 weeks (and God knows how many reruns!). They’re also doing a sneak peek of the show on Thurs, Sept 22nd at 1am EST.

If you go to the Microsoft website msn.com and click on the “Autos_Video” tab, you will be taken to their new online show “Road Raves”. I was asked by the producers to create a graphics package for the show. This included a logo, an open, transitions and lower thirds. This finished product is very informative and interesting to watch.

I’ve begun a business relationship with L.A. based sales and social media marketing firm Rip Media Group. To get things going, I’ve designed and animated this new introduction video for their re-designed website, using bold typography and clean vector imagery to get their talents across to prospective clients.

Rip it good! from Harry Sherman on Vimeo.

I’ve been working on a new graphics package for the Versus network show “City Limits Fishing”. The new season debuted two weeks ago. I hope the ratings skyrocket now! Note that the audio is just a rough scratch track and doesn’t include the music.

Please take a look at the first promo for the world’s first half-hour comedy series created for the web. The show stars Laura Silverman and was created by Hayden Black, with graphics, animation and set design by Harry Sherman.

Last year I touted the importance of repeat business and client relations. I will always believe in working closely with clients to surpass their expectations and to keep them coming back for more.

This year is starting out as the year of the NEW client. In order for a business to grow into a new decade, it’s important to cultivate NEW business. I’m proud to have added a show from Comcast’s Versus (VS.) Network, “The Daily Habit” from the Fuel TV Network , and a web show for Microsoft as new clients. Once these projects are complete, I will post them here on my blog. I also worked with my long time client Comedy Central late last year to design a new set for their show Tosh.0.

Premiered last week

My original design

I wish everyone success this year and I look forward to working with more new people on exciting new projects.

My biggest freelance pitch was in 2001. My good friend Terry Castagnola was helping to produce a new reality show called “The Amazing Race” and he called to see if I was interested in doing the graphics package for the show. A few days later my partner on the project, John Ridgway and I met with Bertram van Munster, one of the show’s creators at Jerry Bruckheimer’s office in Playa Vista, California. Bert and his team were very excited about the project and they were open to our initial ideas for the graphics. We were told that only one other design company was doing a pitch. That company was John’s former company and my former employer, Novocom, also in Playa Vista. We had SOME challenge ahead of us. We spent a week or so brainstorming and storyboarding some ideas. We thought that they were pretty strong. We met with the producers again and receive very positive feedback. A day or two later we were told that Novocom had been dropped from the pitch process. We of course assumed that the project was ours. We didn’t hear anything for a few days. I called Terry and it turned out that Bruckheimer’s people had hired an FX company that they used for their films, and decided not to go with us. We were, of course, disappointed, but the process was enjoyable and the producers were very professional throughout the process. Pitching is a risky race to enter, but as long as you are paid for the pitch, it is all part of the game.

storyboard for interstitial element

Early Open Storyboard