Production Paradise

Welcome to the very first edition of Showcase Cologne-Dusseldorf, brought to you by Production Paradise.

Cologne is widely known for its TV production and is an important location for the German media industry, whilst Dusseldorf attracts many international commercial advertising projects and is renowned for its classic fashion styling.

Be sure to check out our featured event in Dusseldorf:

Hiroshi Sugimoto, Kunstsammlung. Hiroshi Sugimoto, the Japanese master of photography, combines Far-Eastern traditions with aspects of Western modernism and post-modernism in his beautifully crafted artistic approach.

Our cover photo was shot by Denise Krentz.

dus production/commercial production: MEDIA PICTURE GROUP

Founded in Düsseldorf in 1998, film production house Media Picture Group also runs its own postproduction company Backyard Pilots, offering clients a full-range of services.

Working for the leading advertising and event agencies in the market, MPG has produced numerous commercials and multimedia productions for clients such as Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Puma, Evonik Industries, DHL, Thyssen Krupp Steel and more.

MPG is a specialist when it comes to unusual formats for large-scale media events. The company says: "Need a double HD wideband super show with a gazillion-sharp megapixels projected on the surface of the moon? Give us a call: +49 211 31 06 820".

col production/commercial production: VUCX FILMS

Vision Unltd. Creative Worx Films is a full service production company. Founded in 1993 by commercial and music video director Ercin Filizli, VUCX Films has worked for clients such as Daimler, Audi, Asics, VW, EMI, and Sony.

The company launched a new department this summer to manage and develop outstanding new directors from different arts and media backgrounds, making them available to the advertising industry.

At present, the 3D & CGI department is working on the new blockbuster from Josef Vilsmeier about the Gustloff drama, the worst loss of life from a single sinking in maritime history, which is due for release in spring 2008.

The company exclusively represents talent such as:

• Michael Schorr, feature film director and winner of the 'Best Director' award at the Biennale di Venezia in 2003.
• Andreas Nilsson from Sweden, already famous in the music business for visualising the music of The Knife and Goldfrapp, mixing 2D, 3D, stop motion and film elements in a unique style.

VUCX Films is also available as a service production company, offering access for clients to in-house postproduction facilities.

col production/photo production: LUTZ HEGENBARTH PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

Lutz Hegenbarth Production Management is an owner-managed international photo production company based between Cologne and Barcelona. Since 1980 it has been across the globe working on all aspects of professional photography support.

Aside from working in the usual European locations, some of this year's projects have seen the company travel to:

Buenos Aires; shooting the new Mini Clubman catalogue with photographer Christian Stoll for ARS, Berlin.

Tokyo; with well known fashion photographer Eddy Kohli, Paris, shooting for Nissan Micra.

Stockholm; with Gulliver Theis shooting for BMW accessories.

dus photography/photographers: BURKHARD HENRICHS

For the past two decades, Duesseldorf-based fashion and people photographer Burkhard Henrichs has worked both nationally and internationally for an impressive list of fashion clients, including: Esprit, Camel, Daniel Hechter, Schiesser, H.I.S. Jeans, Barbara Schwarzer, Karstadt, Kaufhof, C&A, Ulla Popken, Neckermann, Wehmeyer and Bonita.

His advertisng clients have included such names as Coca Cola, Motorola, Sony, Johnson&Johnson, Lufthansa, LTU and many more.

Besides working out of his own attractive studio loft in the media harbour district of Duesseldorf, his big photographic passion lies in the challenge of outdoor shoots, exploring the possibilities where ever his clients are willing to go.

The multilingual photographer is specialised in fashion, beauty, people, and kids photography, working in both digital and analogue formats. His huge location library contains images collected worldwide, whilst his creativity, detailed service and reliability all come with a warm smile.

aac photography/photographers: KRENTZ PHOTOGRAPHY

Denise and Ulf Krentz have been working together for more than ten years. Based in Aachen, Krentz Photography's main area of speciality is in fashion and beauty photography.

Working together as a team, camera skills and technical expertise are divided and shared between them. This means each shoot benefits from twice the amount of attention, giving their images a special definition.

Shoots can be managed in the pair's fully equipped 500m2 studio, where they also do in-house postproduction. Alternately, the two photographers are happy to work out on location.

Denise has been represented by Sternenfänger since October 2007.

col photography/photographers: ERIK CHMIL

• He was booked by DLKW London to shoot the latest campaign for the new Opel Astra Notchback.
• Travelling across Brazil, Erik shot landscapes for ThyssenKrupp for the haefelinger+wagner design agency in Munich.
• He shot pictures of the new Porsche GT2 for Klaus E. Kuester in Spain and Austria. The team also spent 4 weeks shooting the new Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet along beautiful coastal roads in Australia.
• Erik will soon spend four days in a car studio in Duesseldorf working with CGI.
• He shot images for Suzuki-Swift. Agency: Hundertgrad. Creative Director: Michael Spengler.
• Erik began image campaigns for the Caravanning Association with the Red Cell agency, Duesseldorf. Art Director: Alexander Dahlmann.

dus photography/photographers: AXEL KRANZ

Axel Kranz is based in Duesseldorf and specialises in beauty, fashion and advertising photography.

Included in this showcase is a selection of images from his recent work: Garage Rooftop.

Visit his website for more information and to take a closer look at his portfolio images.

col photography/photographers: DOMINIK PIETSCH

Young photographer Dominik Pietsch recently started his own business. Shooting from his 200sq metre digitally equipped studio, he specialises in portrait, people and music photography. He also handles his own postproduction.

The self-taught newcomer has been working freelance since the beginning of 2007. Amongst his clients are agency Goldenen Hirschen, German Medical Publishing Company, and graffiti artist SEAK (Claus Winkler).

col photography/photographers: FOOD FOTO KÖLN

Together with its own food stylists and TV chefs, Food-Foto-Köln conjure up 'irresistible gourmet highlights to whet the appetite'.

Since 1972, Jürgen Holz and Christian Pompetzki's concept has been to create images of food - be they in advertising, magazines or cook books - that people just want to 'bite into'.

The company works with clients and agencies to develop and design concepts that turn any food, even the lowly croissant, tomato or a piece of cheese, into a virtual treat-to-eat.

The use of digital technology and an emphasis on light composition achieves both depth and sharpness of image, as well as an appetising result.

dus photography/photographers: ROMER FOTOGRAFIE

Based from his studio in Düsseldorf, Stephan Romer has been working as a freelance photographer for 17 years. Over the past decade he has specialised in car and landscape photography.

Stephan produces using the P45 Digital Back from Phase One, and for on-set lighting relies on his recently updated BRON equipment. He travels around the world with his team to capture perfect shots, offering on-set creative retouching as required.

Some recent projects include:

2006 Porsche Cayenne Catalogue and Campaign / Spain
2007 Porsche Cayenne GTS Catalogue and Campaign / Barcelona
2007 Porsche Modelle Campaign in Chile
2007 Volkswagen After Sales Program / Studiowork
2007 Volkswagen AG United Edition / Weeze
2007 New Zealand Landscape Calendar 2008

Along with Porsche, brands such as HONDA, Mitsubishi, Ford, Hankook and Opel are also on his list of clients.

dus photography/photographers: PLANEROAD STUDIOS

Whether fashion, food, still life, industry or pack-shot shootings, 780 m2 Planeroad Studios can cover the full range of advertising photography.

The studio's photographers are specialists across a range of categories, providing a personalised service using the very latest in digital equipment. From Phase One P45 digital back, Sinar and Mamiya 645, Pixi up to DIN A0, excellent results are guaranteed.

The result of a successful fusion between BM Corporate and Pack Shot Boys, services and facilities include:

• Dedicated contact persons.
• Centralised organisation and planning at each stage of production (quotation, scheduling, model-booking, prop, full logistic support).
• Cooperation with several model agencies ensures fixed negotiated rates.
• In-house travel agency for overseas production solutions.
• High-speed data handling complete with FTP-Server for client use.

Clients have included: Pohland, Steinle, Melches, C&A, DDB Düsseldorf, Henkel, Sp!ekerteam Kaufhof, McCann, Rich, Volkswagen, XEO, QVC, Scholz&Friends, Rossmann, EURO RSCG, 3M and Esprit.

dus photography/rental studios: FLASHRENTSTUDIO

FlashRentStudio offer two daylight studios of 440m sq with a ceiling height of up to 7.5m. Facilities include:

4m groove gallery, terrace, bacht studiotechnic, lounge, catering, production services, parking, messenger service, 4 mbit sym. WiFi, ftp-server, 7tb raid-system, light rental, digital rent, grip rent, studio assistant, mobile digital shooting unit, and a digital assistant. Each studio has one colour-proofed workstation, and there is a fully equipped kitchen for use by both facilities.

Digital equipment from Hasselblad, Leaf, Canon and Apple.
Analogue from Fuji, Pentax, and Flextight.
Light from Profoto, Briese-focus and Dedo.

dus photography/rental studios: HARBOUR STUDIO

Harbour Studio is a 125 square metre modern and bright loft studio with almost daylight capacity for rent on the scenic and centrally located Düsseldorf harbour, with good surrounding infrastructure, hotels, bars and restaurants.

Production assistance is included in the studio fee and experienced digital assistants are on standby.

Features and facilities include: 3.6m room height with 14m maximum camera distance to object, white infinity cove, flash systems rental, mac computers, WLAN, ISDN and parking.

Special rates are offered for filming and events.

dus film/film post production: PIRATES`N PARADISE

Pirates 'n Paradise provide postproduction for the national and international advertising industries. Using only the best tools and techniques for the job, the company guarantees to deliver the most creative work on-time and to-budget.

Pirates 'n Paradise is looking forward to its 10th birthday in May 2008, but - despite its age - the company looks to continue powering ahead to meet the changing needs of the market place.

dus photography/post production: BACKYARD PILOTS

A postproduction studio that's ready for take-off! Although clients may think they're checking in at a 1970s airline counter when they enter the BYP offices, they soon understand that the company has what it takes for 'mental take-off'. Clients such as Audi, BMW, DHL, Evonik Industries and Volkswagen already fly with Düsseldorf-based Backyard Pilots.

Editing, compositing, 3D animation, composing and sound design - BYP has the latest technologies and creative skills to expertly master them all. The 'pilots' and 'crew' comply with the latest industry rules and regulations - however strict they may be. In the words of the company itself: "Welcome aboard BYP - we look like a chicken but fly like an eagle".

col talent/artists & stylists: SABINE BERLIPP

After working at a concert agency and gaining professional experience in marketing with Estée Lauder, Sabine Berlipp decided to launch herself as a freelance stylist. She became a cord designer and trend directress for a range of large yarn companies and women's magazines.

Working as a stylist for photo productions since 1991, she also started developing editorials for magazines such as Loop, X-Ray and J'N'C.

Sabine styles for celebrities too and has worked with Jessica Schwarz, Michael Mittermeyer, Moby, Eva Padberg, Tatjana Patitz and Neneh Cherry, amongst others. She also provides style advice to newcomers in the entertainment industry.

dus talent/model agencies: BRUEDERCHEN UND SCHWESTERCHEN

Düsseldorf-based model and people agency Brüderchen & Schwesterchen works closely with newcomers, semi-professional and professional models of all ages, placing them in a variety of shoots and commercials.

In collaboration with a professional in-house caster, the agency has the facility to arrange video, photo or street castings.

Latest jobs include: BASE, Braun, Diebels, Nokia, Schwarzkopf, Staccato, Villeroy & Boch and VW.

dus service/travel agencies: GLOBOTOUR REISE-SERVICE

Globotour is THE production/travel agency for film and photo productions. The company has over 10 years of experience organising business trips for the photo and film industries.

Collection rooms, Easy-ups, Zarges cases and equipment are all well-known to the agency, and cooperation with local production companies and location scouts is a daily part of its business.

The company also offers a wide variety of private trips, not only for shooting but for discovering, researching, diving, sailing or even just relaxing.

Amongst the services on offer from the agency include: travel and flight organisation, hotel and car rental, and worldwide production and location services.

col hotel/hotels: THE NEW YORKER HOTEL

The New Yorker | Hotel, a genuine hotspot in Cologne, is far more than just a hotel. Unique design, individuality and the warmest hospitality are part of an exceptional atmosphere, and when combined with the overall wellbeing facilities turn your stay into a sensual experience.

Located near to the river Rhine and the Cologne trade fair, the hotel provides an ideal starting point for many activities. For longer staying guests the hotel offers apartment suites that are spacious and feature open loft-style layouts, designed furniture, and separate pantries: The New Yorker I Boarding House.

For guests looking to host events in a special location, the hotel recommends The New Yorker | Loft. The impressive New Yorker | Loft has a winter garden, open fireplace, professional kitchen and dining spaces for up to 24 people, whilst The New Yorker | Club offers architectural refinement with large and small rooms on a variety of different plains.