Charting the Future Course of the City

Here's a wrap up of a very cool event that I had the opportunity to film last weekend... Co-sponsored by the Lincoln Institute, the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, and Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, it was the Annual Journalists Forum on Land and the Built Environment. The theme was The Contested City... http://www.lincolninst.edu/news-events/at-lincoln-house-blog

EcoBuilding Bargains on TV!

Congratulations to Reelife client EcoBuilding Bargains — they're being featured on an upcoming episode of the award-winning PBS show This Old House... the cast and crew of the show stopped by their retail operation at 83 Warwick Street in Springfield today for some filming...  Read more about it here

Hot Off the Presses!

Just wrapped up post production on a DVD of the presentation that modernist British sculptor William Tucker gave at The Oxbow Gallery last month... and got a note of thanks from Justin at the Oxbow...

And Today's Interesting Assignment Is (drum roll please)...

... I'll be recording Richard M. Daley, the longest serving mayor of Chicago (22 years) give a talk on "Leading the Contested City" this morning.

Daley's talk is part of The Journalists Forum on Land and the Built Environment: The Next City, presented by a partnership of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. The event is exploring urban policy, transportation and infrastructure, the role of cities in the green economy and more and takes place in Cambridge, MA.

A Love Letter to the Montague Bookmill

If you're a fan of the Montague Bookmill, this'll remind you of what a terrific funky old place it is... and if you've never been there, check it out! This video was shot in 2002, but today's Bookmill not only features the amazing used book store (Books You Don't Need in a Place You Can't Find) but also houses The Night Kitchen restaurant, The Lady Killigrew Café, Sawmill River Arts, Louise Minks' studio, and the most recent resident, Turn It Up! Records & CDs.

On the Air with Monte

Here's the interview I did Thursday morning with Mr. Monte Belmonte. We're talking about Reelife's recent Telly Award for Monte's March: The Movie and all the fine work that's going on at WRSI - 93.9 The River & The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Enjoy!

~ REELIFE PRODUCTIONS ~ WINS A TELLY AWARD FOR MONTE'S MARCH: THE MOVIE •

Official Press Release
(if there is even such a thing anymore :)


Williamsburg, MA — video producer Tom Adams, owner of Reelife Productions of Williamsburg, has won a Telly Award for the production of Monte's March: The Movie in the category of Non-Broadcast Productions/Fund Raising. The film was one of nearly 11,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries.

Monte's March: The Movie documented the 26-mile march between Northampton and Greenfield that popular WRSI radio personality Monte Belmonte made with his decked out shopping cart on November 18, 2010. Held in conjunction with 93.9 The River's annual radio-thon, the march was held as en event to raise awareness of hunger in Western Massachusetts and raise funds for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.

"The Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video," said Linda Day, Executive Director of the Telly Awards. "Reelife Production's accomplishment illustrates their creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production."

"It's such an honor to be recognized for my work, or, in my case, my labor of love," said Adams, who founded Reelife Productions in 1996 to help individuals and companies use digital media to educate, enlighten and entertain. "I'm truly honored to be able to work with clients like The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Working with organizations like the Food Bank makes my job very gratifying and gives me a strong sense of accomplishment, especially knowing that it's for the greater good of the world around us. And of course, none of this would have happened if Monte wasn't such a big hearted, crafty, witty, fun and genuine all around nice guy. One thing some people might not realize is what an absolute pro this Monte guy is. It takes an incredible amount of skill, intelligence and confidence to do what he does, day in day out... and he really values his time with his community, and wife and kids....my hat goes off to him, really." 

Adams has produced more than 300 video projects for a variety of local and national clients. His work has been honored for four Telly Awards: 1997 for local business commercial, 2008 for Massachusetts Historical Commission, 2011 for Emma Henderson/ Dennis Carahar music video, and this latest award for Monte's March: The Movie.


Through the magic of the internets, you can view the 27 minute movie below:





For more information about Reelife Productions, visit the company's website at www.reelifeproductions.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
( The Food Bank of Western MA, WRSI - 93.9 The River, NiL)

Interview on WRSI, 93.9 The River with Monte • Telly Award for Monte's March- The Movie !

Here's the interview Reelife's Director/Owner, Tom Adams did with Mr. Monte Belmonte this morning. We're talking about the recent Telly Award that Reelife received for "Monte's March- The Movie" and all the fine work that's going on at WRSI - 93.9 The River & The Food Bank of Western MA

Really thankful Monte did the whole march thing, otherwise I couldn't have made the movie ;)

A Little Night Music, Rani Arbo Style

One of the many songs performed at The Connecticut River Watershed Council's: "Living Along the River: A Concert of River Songs" on November 7, 2010, in Northampton, MA... Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem with Riverside by Tony Lechner.

For more information, please visit http://www.ctriver.org

This Group Constantly Amazes Me!

I had a lot of fun editing the Young at Heart Chorus footage for use in their 2010 New Zealand stage show... Everytime I hear this group, I love them more!

Shining a Light on The Food Bank of Western MA

Reelife Productions is proud to share our latest video, an informational piece for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

During the production, we spent time with many fine folks from across Berkshire, Hampshire, Hampden & Franklin Counties, including different elderly Brown Bag programs, farmers, pantries and other supporting organizations.

I'm very thankful to work in a field where I can help spread the good word about these organizations and all that they offer. Enjoy the video, and help out any way you can.

For more information about the great work being done by the Food Bank to wipe out hunger in Western MA, please visit their website.

Early Morning Music Break with Ms. Pegi Young

So happy to have been able to catch (and record) this show with Pegi Young. Such a sweet version of this beautiful Danny Whitten, Crazy Horse, original at The Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA. With The Survivors: including Rick Rosas and Spooner Oldham

Sharing the love for EcoBuilding Bargains!

Calling all DIYers, renovators, builders, collectors, resellers, homeowners, renters... is there a home improvement project on your "to do" (or "honey do") list? This is the place to get your stuff... Their new store is super... EcoBuilding Bargains in Springfield. Watch the promo video (by Reelife, of course!) and see what I mean...

Sneak Peak: Rusty Nail Concert Video

In the 1970s and early 80s, the Rusty Nail bar in Sunderland was the go-to place for live music in the area. On February 12, 2012, some of the key players from that era reunited for a sold out gig at the Northampton Academy of Music.

Reelife was there to document the entire event with five HD cameras in front, on the side and backstage. Supporters of the bar have created a Facebook page as a gathering place for those who were there as well as those who were unable to attend. It's also a way to drum up support for the post-production/editing of the concert video of this once in a lifetime event.

Here's a little teaser video to whet your whistle... and hop on over to the Facebook page to keep up to date with this project... https://www.facebook.com/RustyNailReunionConcertVideo

Just Released! How to Make An Echinacea Tincture

In the latest Reelife video production, Storey Publishing's Herbal remedy specialist Rosemary Gladstar demonstrates how to make an Echinacea Tincture.

Reelife was hired to shoot edit & produce this video and is honored to be involved with Storey's professional team that holds such high regard for quality work.

And if you don't know what a tincture is? Well... you're just gonna have to watch the video, now aren't ya? :)

For more information about using Echinacea and other medicinal herbs, see Rosemary's new book, Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide.

Acoustic Brew Live at Angel Park • "Poor Heart" Phish cover

Reelife's owner/director is now the drummer for this fine bluegrass group who play there own special blend of "brew-grass" music. And since this is The Reelife Blog... I thought I'd post it here ... for your viewing pleasure. For upcoming dates and much more visit them on the facebook.

Fresh Off the Editing Block: the Meridians Event at The Academy of Music

For Your Consideration: Reelife's latest production: The Sorvino Dance Project • Greg Snedeker and the Meridians Sextet • "Small Moon" Guitar Quartet by Michael Nix and the NixWorks Ensemble

Sunday, March 25, 4 pm, The Acadamy of Music, Northampton, MA

for more info please visit: http://nixworks.com/Meridians.html

Get Your Head in the Game!

Here's a clip of John Engels, Leadership Coach, in his keynote for the Rochester General Hospital System meeting, talking about "The Approval Virus," (edited by Reelife Productions)

For more information about John Engels and Leadership Coaching, please visit www.leadershipcoachinginc.com

Now Playing at Amherst Cinema: The Wright Builders Promo

Presenting the new Wright Builders pre-movie ad that is running at Amherst Cinema. In just 15 seconds, it features images from some of the fine projects that Wright Builders have been working on: Village Hill, Bement, a beautiful private residents in North Hadley, Hampshire College Greenhouse, and some other great, well known places in the Valley.

Reelife on the Air!

Here's a little radio ditty to let you know what Reelife Productions is all about featuring the vocal stylings of Mr. Monte Belmonte...

What I Did in Vegas (nope, it wasn't partying!)

And here it is... the video that Reelife produced for the opening of the 2012 ASAP Global Alliance Summit in Las Vegas last month.

If you're not exactly sure what they're talking about ... you can go to www.strategic-alliances.org and find out more....

In a nutshell, this is the mother-load of networking organizations: Founded in 1998, the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP) is a professional association dedicated to elevating and promoting the profession and discipline of alliance management.

In fact, ASAP is the only organization dedicated to providing knowledge and resources, education and professional development, and a community for networking to alliance professionals at every stage of business collaboration — from partnership formation to alliance management after a deal is signed all the way through to the dissolution of a relationship.

Now that's a mouthful, isn't it? ;)