6.19.08
Camp Gizmo, a video production camp for middle school-aged kids, is coming soon, July 15 through 18. Check more out about it at http://www.cjonline.com/stories/061608/lei_291313596.shtml.

6.6.08
To Go Brands, based out of San Diego, just finished two national spots with Gizmo in conjunction with BLAM's brilliant writing/storyboarding. They are promoting superfood supplements (stocked in GNC stores) containing fruits, veggies, and energy blends. Visit their website to learn more about this yummy, healthy stuff at http://www.togobrands.com.

4.30.08
We have been busy here at Gizmo, hence the lack of news updates. Here are a few exciting projects we have been working on this year; A new Stormont-Vail Heart Center spot (credit to Jones Huyett Partners) that ran during the Final Four and the awesome Championship game (yeah Jayhawks!!). Baker University has commissioned two very quick turn-around projects running during large events. Security Benefit's annual employee appreciation event "Living the Values" went off without a hitch, especially thanks to David and Ryan. The Brown Foundation is celebrating their 20th Anniversary and we are putting together a retrospective video for their May 17 gala. A few more... St. Francis Doctor Campaign (credit to Frye Allen), Patten CAT video for the Chicago CAT dealer w/2,000 DVDs being distributed, the upcoming annual United Way video, the annual Topeka Civic Theatre Bravo Breakfast video, FHLB bank annual video and a Washburn University television production (credit to Frye Allen).

1.26.08
Gizmo and gadget had a wonderful night at the TAF's annual ADDY awards show. We received 8 ADDYs, thanks to working for some fabulous clients!! Some of the categories we received awards for were for cinematography, interactive media, public service advertising, and a regional/national TV campaign.

1.1.08
Ryan Bishop just joined the Gizmo/gadget team as a production specialist. We are so excited to have him board and to have his skills and fresh ideas.

12.18.07
We just finished up shooting two :30s on 35mm film for Baker University in Wichita, as they try to attract more working professionals to go back to school. Not only did we have a blast with Two West Advertising, out of KC, the shots turned out gorgeous. Who says we can't shoot in 20 degree weather and still make it comfy!! Look for the spots scheduled to run after Jan. 1, 2008.

12.17.07
Kansas City CrossFilm Production Update: We had our video crews out each day shooting in high definition video each day the 2007 USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships in Kansas City, Kansas. Thursday and Friday we had one camera, Saturday we added another and for the elite championship races on Sunday, we had four cameras shooting fantastic cyclocross racing action. Our hard drives are full with thousands of clips from the masters races, junior races, B events and the elite championships. Watch for a pre-trailer by the end of the year!

11.27.07
Keith Walberg, production guy and huge biking enthusiast, has begun to pre-produce a documentary he is working on for the Cyclocross National Championships that will be held in Kansas City Dec. 14 - 16 http://www.kccrossnationals.com/. Check out some footage he put together at a Topeka & KC Cyclocross event he shot earlier this year at www.youtube.com.

11.26.07 So.... we thought it would be a great experience to shoot a music video for Tori Amos. Are you thinking, huh, what a random thought? Well, we ran across a contest on the Creative Cow and thought what better way to have fun than shoot a music video!! Although we may not be chosen, we LOVED the process. Check it out... www.youtube.com.

10.16.07 GIZMO ON THE AIR! With a crazy busy Spring, Summer, and early Fall, we are starting to see the fruits of our labor all over the place! Some include Learning Quest 529 "Saving for College" spots (not to mention we got to shoot a cow, goats, and a guy in a chicken costume, which is fun anyways), Mercy Regional Health Center "Scrub In," "Mercy Light," and the new "Willie Wildcat" spots, as well as spots for Stormont-Vail, Family Service & Guidance Center, Core First Bank and Trust tree animations, and the United Way "Give Hope a Hand" spots and video. Whew!!! I am sure I left some out!! Links to these are soon to come.

10.11.07 Keith Walberg just ventured out to Lyons, Kansas to meet up with a crew to shoot the Salt Mines for a Science Discovery Channel series airing in December, "Some Assembly Required."

8.13.07 Greg Ready, our 3D animator, just returned from Siggraph in San Diego with a toolbox of new animation techniques, especially from Lightwave. Check out more about the conference at www.siggraph.org/s2007/.

7.20.07 Congratulations to all the Camp Gizmo participants on a great week! Check out the campers' short films (search for Gizmo Pictures) at www.youtube.com.

5.21.07 Topeka middle school students are invited to join us this summer for the first annual Camp Gizmo, July 17 -20. Learn how to script, shoot, and edit a short film over your summer break. If you are interested, please email a 200-word essay to Lindsay at lindsay@gizmopictures.com explaining why you would like to participate. Cost is $50 and will include food, a Camp Gizmo t-shirt, and an award ceremony & screening.

4.18.07 Andy McKee, world renown Topeka musician, has agreed to play guitar in the 2007 United Way of Greater Topeka's capital campaign video, "Giving Hope a Hand." Check out more about Andy at www.andymckee.com.

2.1.07 Gizmo Pictures garnered fourteen ADDY awards at the 2007 Topeka Advertising Federation ADDY Award banquet on January 27. Included were two gold awards for the Kansas Department of Commerce’s national spot entitled “Kansas in Times Square” and the high honor of a Judge’s Citation for the United Way’s PSA. In working closely with advertising agencies statewide, Gizmo contributed to nine award-winning projects. One of which was BLAM’s Capitol Federal True Blue Online campaign won a gold ADDY for Best of Show. Greg Ready, Co-owner of Gizmo, was honored with the 2007 Carol Terhune Volunteer of the Year Award.

1.2.07 Gadget Video adds Keith Walberg as director, producer, and editor. Keith spent seventeen years at KSNT-TV, here in Topeka, most recently, producing and directing commercials. He adds great experience and knowledge to the new company. Gizmo Pictures added Lindsay Howgill as Marketing and Production Coordinator. Lindsay formerly worked at the Kansas Department of Commerce in their Marketing department as the Kansas Brand Manager and before that, as the Assistant Director of the Kansas Film Commission.

1.1.07 Gizmo Pictures begins a sister company, Gadget Video, as an overflow valve outlet for an expanding Gizmo Pictures. Gizmo has historically been very community-friendly by offering services for a very low-cost to no-cost for programs and services that better the Topeka community. In order to continue producing these projects at a high level, Gadget will now be handling most of them. In addition to taking on these community projects, Gadget will focus on projects that may not need the level of attention or have the budget that Gizmo provides. To read more, click on the link to news article www.cjonline.com.