News
Verbatim Studios’ New Casting Division Wraps Up Busy Season
Spots in production for Accountemps, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.
The freshly formed casting division of Verbatim Studios in New York wasted little time this winter welcoming several new and existing clients in need of bicoastal casting for their radio, TV, and online projects.
Verbatim’s new media clients have kept the studio humming at near-full capacity. Longtime client Accountemps once again called on Verbatim to cast their annual online animated holiday video, featuring some of New York’s best singers and comic actors. The spot is a cheery tale of overwhelmed office workers whose spirits get a major boost when Accountemps hero Bob shows up to save the day—and the holidays. For 2011, Accountemps is producing a video for viewers in the UK featuring British singers—all cast at Verbatim’s Midtown facility. The story and animation were crafted from the bottom up by Oink Ink, Verbatim’s sister company.
In 2012, under the guidance of casting director Roman Chimienti and studio partner Jim Price, Verbatim will continue to collaborate with frequent advertising agency partner 22squared, a 90-year-old company with iconic brand clients like Baskin-Robbins, Florida's Natural and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.
For more information about Verbatim’s casting services, contact Jessica Rondash at jessica@verbatimstudios.com.
Verbatim Studios Hires Mixer Micah Kovacs
Industry pro is adept at radio, television, music and film
Verbatim Studios announced this week the hiring of mixer Micah Kovacs. Formerly of Pink Noise, Kovacs has nearly a decade of experience editing, mixing, engineering and sound designing in almost every medium.
Kovacs studied art and digital video in college. Initially interested in editing but propelled by his passion for playing strings and percussion, he changed course to focus on audio post production. Kovacs' sound design and production work is regularly recognized in the festival and award circuits; he won a Radio Mercury Award in 2007 for his work on a spot for Consumer's Energy.
Kovacs' skill set is diverse and always expanding. Recently certified in Reason and Ableton Live, he has also mastered nearly every audio and video suite there is. Music sweetening, Foley, sampling, and music composition are just a few of his strengths.
"Micah is the perfect addition to the studio talent we already have in place at Verbatim," said partner Dan Price. "His range is what will serve him well here. From his surround work, to his musical talent, he pretty much does everything—and gets awards for it, too. Which we like around here. We're excited to have him."
Announcing Verbatim Casting
New York's Verbatim Sound Studios, located in Midtown, has announced the formation of an official casting division, Verbatim Casting. Already one of the city's top recording studios for radio, Verbatim's new focus on casting talent for voiceovers is an evolution of its successful partnership with creative agency Oink Ink, with whom Verbatim has already cast projects for scores of major clients across the country.
"A lot of our clients seem to want a one-studio solution," said Jessica Rondash, Verbatim's studio manager. "Providing the best casting service in New York is just another way we can create top-shelf, award-winning radio for our clients from start to finish."
Verbatim has recently been entrusted to cast projects for AT&T (via BBDO/NY), Citibank (Publicis) and National Jewish Health (Digo). The studio also frequently provides casting services to Oink Ink Radio for its clients Staples, CBS TV, Chevrolet (via ad agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners) and numerous others.
"Our casting resources are the best in town," said Roman Chimienti, Verbatim's casting director. "We're on a first-name basis with the top agents and talent on both coasts, and we know how to get the best takes out of everyone we see. Finding the best voices for each spot is what we do."
For more information about Verbatim Casting or to request an estimate, contact Jessica Rondash at jessica@verbatimstudios.com.
Verbatim's Conor Murphy Sound Designs/Mixes for The Jim Henson Company & Philadelphia Zoo
TV Spots, Short Promote Puppet Project for Endangered Species
Verbatim Studios and mixer Conor Murphy were tasked this month with mixing audio for two television spots and developing long-form sound design for an 8-minute video short "featurette" starring the puppets of X*tink*shun, the newest seasonal exhibit at the Philadelphia Zoo. Conceived and written by agency Left Hand Creative, the spots and featurette will enter heavy rotation this month to coincide with the zoo's April 9 launch of the exhibit, which runs through October 2011.
"Verbatim's contribution really elevated this project," said Nat Gutwirth, owner of Left Hand Creative. "When we walked in, it was a silly puppet show about endangered animals. When we walked out, it was a silly puppet show about endangered animals—with world-class sound design."
To view one of the spots, visit https://postspots.com/d/j/f031fe591c.
Verbatim's Conor Murphy Lends Audio Skills to Game Of The Year
Spike TV Recognizes "Red Dead Redemption" at Annual Awards
Verbatim Studios mixer Conor Murphy was honored last month as part of the audio team behind Rockstar Games' "Red Dead Redemption," winner of Spike TV's Game of the Year at the 2010 Video Game Awards. The dark, Western-themed game also won three awards for best song, best original score, and best downloadable content.
Murphy engineered and mastered the in-game dialogue and worked with cut-scene dialogue and foley as well. He was also one of the engineers to record the award winning game's lead character. The Irish-born engineer has a long relationship with the gaming giant, having worked on titles including "Grand Theft Auto IV: Episodes from Liberty City," the just-released "Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare," and the highly anticipated upcoming release "L.A. Noir."
Verbatim Studios Promotes Conor Murphy to Mixer
Eclectic talent is latest addition to Midtown audio team
Verbatim Studios announced this month the addition of audio mixer Conor Murphy to its award-winning staff. Born in Ireland, Murphy began with the studio as an intern and served as an assistant engineer for more than 5 years, immersing himself in the mixing and production of radio spots, TV content and casting.
Murphy's background and expertise is eclectic. He became a sought-after talent in the video game industry, having worked on Grand Theft Auto IV as well as multiple projects from Rockstar Games as a Foley, record, and dialogue editor.
"After our move to our new studio on 46th Street, we decided we needed to find the perfect complement to Adam and Danny," said Jim Price, partner for Verbatim Studios. "A strong audio sound designer/mixer to take over our third room. Conor was the immediate choice. He'd been working, right under our nose, in our Studio A all along, and clients love working with him."
Verbatim's Charity Mixes VMA Promos for MTV
Studio recorded, mixed audio and music for spots featuring Chelsea Handler
Verbatim was recently called upon to collaborate with MTV on a series of 7 television promo spots for the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, featuring Chelsea Handler, host of E!'s late night hit "Chelsea Lately."
The spots provide a voyeuristic peek into Chelsea's writers' room as she, assistant Chuy, and her staff of comics brainstorm new material in preparation for Chelsea's gig hosting the 2010 VMAs. Laced with Chelsea's no-holds-barred brand of humor, the spots skewer the entire universe of celebrity and pop culture—everyone from Lady Gaga, Snooki of "Jersey Shore," and Ke$ha to Kid Rock, Mickey Mouse, and of course, Chelsea herself—is a target.
Sound designer/mixer Adam Charity of Verbatim Studios provided his services and also composed the music for "Seating Chart," the spot featuring Kid Rock. The promos were directed by Kim Nguyen of MTV.
"Working with Adam is great because he always has a lot of good instincts and suggestions. Also the vibe at Verbatim Studios is chill so it's a fun place to get some good work done," Nguyen said.
The 2010 Video Music Awards aired September 12, 2010 on MTV.
New York's Verbatim Pairs with Wieden + Kennedy and ESPN to Create World Cup Buzz
Mixer Adam Charity Lends a Hand to Soccer-Inspired "Rockumentary," Voted Top Track Pick by SHOOT Magazine, Winter 2010
To generate buzz for ESPN's coverage of the 2009 World Cup, Wieden + Kennedy created the soccer-inspired heavy-metal rock band Group of Death, fully equipped with their own "Rockumentary." The viral web campaign features a "Rockumentary" of the concert and follows the soccer-loving band in the days leading up to the big draw. For the sound design and mix, W+K turned to Verbatim's Adam Charity.
Oink Ink Radio Revs Up Branding Initiatives on Both Coasts
Creative house teams up with sales and marketing director Andrea Rhodes
Bicoastal Oink Ink Radio, and sister company Verbatim, have kicked off 2010 with an array of new projects, staff expansions and growth initiatives. In addition to high profile work for Google, Wieden + Kennedy and ESPN, as well as an upcoming relocation from SoHo to midtown this Spring, the creative shop has brought in sales and marketing director Andrea Rhodes to manage brand development, marketing/promotion planning and client management.
Verbatim Continues Expansion and Growth With New Studio Manager
New York audio house hires Jessica Rondash, formerly of Sound Lounge
Veteran audio post house Verbatim continues its growth initiatives in 2010 by adding seasoned studio manager Jessica Rondash to its staff. Most recently the studio manager at Sound Lounge on Hudson, Rondash brings a wealth of knowledge and talent to the Verbatim team. Prior to her time at Sound Lounge, Rondash began her career at Click 3X in New York. She then shifted to Sound Lounge/Hudson, where she moved up the ranks from receptionist to studio manager, managing the demands of a busy environment and a wide range of clients.
