GARDEN EARTH
“If It Grows…Michael Knows”
One in four Americans says gardening is their number one pastime. Now the seeds have been planted for the new high-definition television series, Garden Earth, starring Michael Weishan, horticultural expert and long-time former host of The Victory Garden on PBS.

The 13-episode series celebrates the rich and diverse world of gardening, landscaping, botany and horticulture. Weishan takes the viewer on a high-definition tour of gardens and natural habitats around the world, sharing the history, secrets and wonders of our lush planet.

American Public Television (APT), Boston, a major programming distributor for U.S. public television stations, stands behind the development of Garden Earth. APT states, “Weishan brings experience and expertise to the series, as well as a roster of loyal fans who have followed his decade-long career in public broadcasting.”

Weishan’s career also includes authoring numerous gardening books, as well as appearances on NBC’s The Today Show and The CBS Early Show.

Inspired in the breadbasket of North America, Garden Earth is being produced by national content production company, Outpost Worldwide, Kansas City; and will be presented to public television stations nationwide, by KTWU, licensed by Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.

According to APT, “We feel the concept has national appeal and will be well-received by public television station program directors.”

A 4-minute HD promo is available for viewing at mygardenearth.com. For information about the 26-week, half-hour series and underwriting opportunities, contact Executive Producer, Michael Wunsch at Outpost Worldwide.

Los Angeles, New York and Nashville may now have to tip their hats to another area recently added to the list of popular music-making locations.

Well, music video-making locations that is.

Cast and crew from the music video “Harley Man,” written and performed by Pennsylvania-based country singer Raina Bauman, this month breezed into the Bonner Springs-Basehor area to shoot part of the video at the Lake Stop convenience store, 15621 158th St. Much of the storyline for the video revolves around the goings on at a gasoline station, and while scouting for possible locations, producer Valerie Anderson suggested checking out the area. She said the Lake Stop was exactly what they were seeking.

“The Lake Stop was the first gas station we came to, and it was perfect,” said Anderson, who works with Lenexa-based production company Outpost Worldwide. “The location in Bonner Springs was great and it fit our needs perfectly. And we couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. We had bright blue sky and we had green fields. It really looked great, and everyone we encountered was great.”

Director and scriptwriter Dallas Henry runs his own production company in Los Angeles called Wheatfield Productions, and is the director of such music clips as the Barenaked Ladies’ “Wind It Up,” a highly successful video on YouTube, and Craig Morgan’s “International Harvester,” a video that rose to the top 20 Country Music Television videos of the year in 2008. Originally from Wichita, Henry now shoots predominantly country music videos and says he often travels to Kansas to do so.

“I work with Nashville artists,” Henry said, while noting that this had been his first time shooting a video in the area. “But if I can talk the artist into shooting in Kansas, I shoot ’em in Kansas, because of the scenery.”

The storyline of the video involves a dream sequence where Bauman sees a number of men while stopping at a gas station but eventually sets her sights on a handsome Harley-Davidson-driving man. It called for more than 100 motorcycles to be used during the shoot, which went on from 7 a.m. to about 9 p.m. Sunday, July 19. Anderson said Gail’s Harley-Davidson, of Grandview, Mo., not only supplied the bikes but also organized enough people to ride them during filming. Eric Myers, a salesperson with Gail’s Harley-Davidson, also provided his own personal services: He plays the part of the man driving the Harley with whom Bauman eventually rides off into the sunset.

“It’s a great, awesome dealership,” said Bauman of Gail’s Harley-Davidson. “(Myers) was right out of typecasting, I couldn’t have dreamt this guy up. When I saw this guy, I was like ‘Wow.’”

This was the first music video shoot for Bauman, who will soon be releasing her first 10-song record, also titled “Harley Man.” She says all of her songs are based on personal experiences, so much so, in fact, that she refers to them as “heart songs.”

“Harley Man,” Bauman said, was inspired by a former boyfriend with whom she is still friends and who originally introduced her to the thrill of riding motorcycles.

“Ever since that time, I was just kind of bitten by the ride,” Bauman said. “Other people that ride bikes are first-class people. There’s a real camaraderie and no matter where I go, I experience it. I love it.”

Henry said the experience was one that would definitely bring him back to shoot more music videos in the future.

“It went really well,” Henry said. “I mean, I’ve been doing this for a while … but I thought it went really smoothly.”

Bringing in a number of bike riders and more than a few curious residents, thirsty on a hot day, couldn’t have hurt business at the Lake Stop either, he says.

“I think they sold more Slurpees that day than ever,” Henry said. “The Lake Stop was it! For Slurpees and video making.”

The music video for “Harley Man” is expected to be completed in a couple of weeks and should be available for viewing on several Web sites, including bonnersprings.com, youtube.com and outpostworldwide.com.

Outpost Worldwide, Inc. was recently awarded a GSA contract on the Advertising and Integrated Marketing Schedule (AIMS). As a GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contractor, Outpost can now offer full service video production needs to any and all federal government agencies over the course of the award duration of five years. After that time, Outpost will have the option of renewing the contract with the potential of servicing the government for the next 20 years.

Val Anderson, Director of Marketing & Development handled the application process and attended the GSA EXPO last week in San Antonio, TX. By attending the GSA EXPO, Anderson was able to take a variety of classes taught by the GSA, talk to government purchasers attending the conference and visit with numerous vendors who were exhibiting at the Expo. GSA employees were on hand to answer questions and help with any contract issues or confusion.

Attending the Expo with Anderson was Elaine Hamilton, president of Vision Teleproduction, Inc, a certified 8(a)/MBE/WBE company. Hamilton is also in the process of applying for a GSA Schedule contract.

The benefits of being on the GSA Schedule are numerous. The Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) program is the premier Government acquisition program in place today. Mirroring commercial buying practices, it’s the fastest, easiest, and most effective contracting vehicle available.

There are currently over 17,500 contracts in place with the government and the process is highly competitive. To be awarded a contract is an enormous opportunity for Outpost and one that should lead to many new successful relationships.

“It’s a big process to go through and there’s a lot of work that goes into these contracts on both ends. The GSA really works with you because they want companies such as ourselves to be successful in this endeavor just as we do,” said Anderson.

LINKS:

expo.gsa.gov

www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa

Paola residents got a chance to see familiar businesses, restaurants, landmarks — even themselves — on the big screen Sunday (June 14, 2009) during three special showings of the movie “Last Ounce of Courage.”

The film, which was shot in Paola last summer, is a holiday-themed Christian movie about a small-town mayor who is fed up with the political correctness of Christmas. The lead role of Mayor Bob Revere was played by actor Marshall Teague of such films as “Armageddon” and “The Rock.”

Although the film has not yet been released to the public, Paola residents got a chance to view it early because much of the movie was filmed in their town.
Michael Wunsch, CEO of Outpost Worldwide of Lenexa, spoke before the showings, and he told the people packed into the Paola Community Center auditorium Sunday that they are the first people in the country to see the movie — and possibly the last in its current format. Wunsch, whose company produced the film, said it currently is being shopped to Sony Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), either of which could purchase the movie and do their own editing to scenes, music and other features.

“You’ll never see this same movie again,” Wunsch said.

The movie could be released to the public in theaters or on DVD in time for Christmas, according to Outpost’s Web site.

Missionaries Richard and Gina Headrick of Mississippi provided much of the funding for the movie, which was made for about $800,000, and Wunsch read a written statement from the Headricks to the Community Center crowd Sunday thanking the people of Paola for their hospitality. The couple developed the script for the movie with the help of Disney writer and director Darrell Campbell.

Movie watchers throughout the auditorium Sunday could be seen whispering to those sitting next to them during scenes that showed Paola landmarks, such as the Miami County Courthouse, Paola Park Square, El Tapatio, Miller’s Pharmacy at the corner of Pearl and Peoria streets and the Paola Community Center auditorium.

Some scenes, such as one in front of the courthouse and another in front of El Tapatio, included a number of extras, many of who were from Paola. The audience Sunday had fun pointing people out in the crowd.

Some local residents even got their name on the credits, with Crown Realty realtor Heidi Bacon being listed as a funeral attendee and biker in the movie, and Edward Jones financial adviser Curtis Long listed as a City Councilman for Mount Columbus, the fictional name of the town in the movie. Long’s office on the west side of Park Square was used as the mayor’s office in the movie.

When the final credits began to roll after the film’s emotional conclusion, the audience members in attendance Sunday erupted into applause.

Community Center Director Chad Myers, who could be seen briefly in the film in the audience of a city council meeting, was pleased with the movie and the turnout at the three shows Sunday. He’s not quite sure though if his performance will jump start an acting career.
“Too bad they don’t give awards out for the best performance of the back of someone’s head,” he said with a laugh.

More information about the movie, including a trailer, can be viewed at lastounceofcourage.com.

Outpost Worldwide

Three years ago, Outpost Worldwide and WWII veteran George Ciampa set out on an educational journey to witness the return of five veterans to Belgium, and the site of the ‘Battle of the Bulge’. Accompanied by four young Southern California high school teachers, the veterans recounted their memories of the Battle, and visited many present-day Belgians who could vividly remember their loss of freedom under Nazi Germany occupation. ‘Let Freedom Ring: Memories of France’ is the next chapter in this growing documentary series, and gives teachers an opportunity to interact with those who survived the war and Nazi occupation.

But, Loveless has a secret. Deep in his cellar, the recently revived Dracula awaits…
Outpost Worldwide also provided funding, technical support, and crew for Bonnie and Clyde vs. Dracula, which to date has been an official selection and winner of the following film festivals, including: Best of Fest and Best Actor, Fright Night Film Festival (Louisville, Kentucky); Best Feature, Arizona Underground Film Festival (Tucson, Arizona); Best Feature, Sacramento Film Festival (Sacramento, California); Best Feature Nominee, Chicago Horror Film Festival (Chicago, Illinois); Official Selections of: Dark Carnival Film Festival (Bloomington, Indiana); New York Horror Film Festival (New York, New York); Amberg Germany Horror Festival (Amberg, Germany); Kansas International Film Festival (Kansas City, Missouri).
Bonnie and Clyde vs. Dracula has been screened at many theaters including a two-week run at Screenland and the new state of the art digital AMC Main Street Theaters in Kansas City, Missouri. “BCvD” is also in foreign distribution under the name Outlaw Blood, and currently seeking a domestic distributor. To find more out about Bonnie and Clyde vs. Dracula, go to bcvdmovie.com.

Outpost provided funding, technical support and crew for Fight Night, which to date has been an official selection and winner of multiple film festivals including: Winner Best Actress, So Cal Film Festival (Huntington Beach, California); Winner Grand Jury Prize, Dances With Film (Los Angeles, California); Winner, Best Feature Film, Radar Film Festival (Hamburg, Germany); Winner, Best Cinematography, Action On Film International Film Festival (Los Angeles, California); Official Selections of: International Film Festival Thailand-Phuket (Phuket, Thailand); Las Vegas International Film Festival (Las Vegas, Nevada); Melbourne International Film Festival (Melbourne, Australia); Big Bang Film Festival (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania); Big Island Film Festival (Waikoloa, Hawaii); Salento International Film Festival (Salento, Italy); Young Cuts International Film Festival (Montreal, Canada).

As of April 2009, Peace Arch Distribution is distributing Fight Night, worldwide. It can be rented at BlockBuster, Red Box, and Time Warner On-Demand. To learn more about Fight Night go to riggedthefilm.com.

A beautiful and inspiring event, the Rain Man 20th Anniversary celebration was designed to bring awareness back to mental illness as well as to let the audience and the world know how much individuals with mental and physical disabilities can do with their unique sensibilities. Carnegie himself is leading the cause by not only spearheading the event, but also creating a children’s book series geared at helping children with disabilities. Kim Peek summed up the evening by saying,”Learning to recognize and respect differences in others and treat them as much as you want them to treat you will make this a better world to live in… You don’t have to be handicapped to be different. Everybody’s different.”