Optic Sky Productions

04/15/2024

Keep an eye out for some new spots, coming soon 👀

12/13/2023

Hey ! Turn those static displays, structures, and exhibits into jaw-dropping .

Retain and extend the value of your current exhibits—or replace them entirely—with projection mapping, motion sensing, video, AI, and other creative technologies that add motion and interaction.

Click the link [here] to see what's possible.

12/08/2023

🌟 Big things are happening! We're unveiling a sneak peek of New Era's NFL Sidelines gear. 🏈💫

10/24/2023

As part of our recent expansion, we want to share with our community all of the amazing news we're nerding out with. Join Skydive, your monthly dose of cutting-edge, (occasionally, crazy) creative inspiration, industry news, and frontline lessons to make all of us an advertising, social, and digital experience bad*ss.

#

10/23/2023

Ladies and gents, we present to you the "why" behind the evolution of - version 2.0 ✌🏼

10/03/2023

Today’s advertisers, marketers, and producers have more options than ever, but less time to make decisions and dive deep into new technologies. And you certainly don’t have the time or budget to choose the wrong partner.
Let's move forward with modern creative ex*****on and production's (r)evolution.
This is the new Optic Sky!
Explore our new services and how they integrate into our combined offering
- An exciting new partnership (and a party!)
- The expansion of our
- Our new offerings
- The big picture: What's changed and what hasn't (i.e. why we’re doing this)
- What all of this means for you

09/29/2023

You know we couldn't launch a new website without a new hype reel! 🎥 See what we've been up to across production, virtual production, augmented reality, immersive installations, animation, event motion graphics, and more!
(Don't forget to breathe.) 😉

09/28/2023

We've rebranded, EXPANDED and officially landed 😎🚀

In response to seismic shifts in the advertising, marketing, filmmaking, and commercial production industries over the past few years, we have gradually expanded: 1)The services we offer 2)The tools we use 3)Our partnerships 4)Our team 5)Our knowledge sharing

08/18/2023

SWIPE to bring this bad boi into your world! This weekend is a special one for@syracusezoo with , and we’re inviting to celebrate by sharing the new Asian Elephant we created for the zoo or at home for the chance to win an elephant plushie and guest passes to the zoo! 🐘

To find the filter, visit profile and click the three sparkle icons.

Use the filter to place the elephant on flat ground and tag us in your story or in your post for the chance to win 🐘🏆

06/09/2023

As the Head of our Digital Experiences Cameron said, THIS IS BIG! is a major upgrade to , what are you looking to glow up with this development?

After years of development, the Chrome team ships WebGPU which allows high-performance 3D graphics and data-parallel computation on the web.

05/25/2023

Our Unconventional Take on College Ads! 🎥

Universities, we've got them figured out. And when it comes to students, we've got them on lock! Let's face it, choosing a college can be a real struggle. That's why we teamed up with the amazing folks at Juniata College to craft a story that breaks the mold of typical college ads.

We took our cameras all over campus, around town, and even ventured down those country roads. Our talented crew adjusted to every lighting challenge, from sun-drenched spots to the eerily dark woods where we had to rely on flickering candlelight. Talk about dedication!

The end result? A spot that blew everyone away, igniting an outpouring of support from the alumni like never before. It captured the essence of Juniata itself, putting the spotlight on the incredible journey of their students rather than just the institution.

Client: Juniata College



🎥 Agency: Cognitive Marketing
Director: Wayne Calabrese
Director of Photography: Aaron Gordon
Second Unit DP: J.R. Kraus
Editor: Sullivan Slentz
Sound Design: Aaron Eberhardt
🏆 AWARDS
2017 ADDY Awards - Silver - Elements of Advertising - Cinematography
Rochester Advertising Federation
2017 ADDY Awards - Gold - Elements of Advertising - Video Editing
Rochester Advertising Federation
😎🤘🏼 SERVICES PROVIDED

05/23/2023

We have a new in the hauzzzz 🍼😎🧸 Congratulations to Chris Hussar, our for the second time! We wish you all the love and light during your nesting days with the famfam, teaching that lil bird to fly sky high! 🥂

05/22/2023

🎥 As we know, tech clients are becoming the new bread & butter of the adv industry, and there's a brilliant way to cut through the noise. Using comedy and tension inevitably hits the spot of everyone seeking the most hands-off solutions to scale their business, and that's the story we told for our latest .
If your method is humor, you have to keep the room smiling between takes, and we ensured that with our partner, as you can very well see in this commercial .

Exec. Producer Aaron Gordon
Head of Prod. Matt O’Neill
Producer Christopher Hussar
DIT/Editor Corey Scibilia
Director John Murphy
Post Production Supervisor: Chris Hussar
Production Manager Melanie Monte
Production Coordinator Kevin Flanagan
Editor: Corey Scibilia
Animator: Ben Zingo
Colorist: Jeff Sousa
Music Composition: Sean Massey
Audio SFX and cleanup - Ryan Meadows
VFX - James Pina
Dir. of Photography Matthew Garrett
1st AD Dennis Brenhaug
Camera Operator David Maslyn
1st Asst Cam Symon Mink
2nd Asst Cam Amanda Hughes
Gaffer Chuck Moran
Key Grip Tim Limner
Electric Bruce Begy
Best Boy Electric Mike Drago
Grip Mike Barra
Best Boy Grip Kash Costner
Sound Matt Saeva
Production Designer Leah Glickman
Set Decorator | Shopper Anastasia Cerankosky
Prop Master Nick Bertino
Wardrobe Stylist Denyse Funk
Wardrobe Asst Amanda Deyager
HMU Stylist Megan Norris
HMU Stylist Cassandra Lyons
Location Scout Tiffany Staropoli
Craft Services Natasha Perkins
CCO | PA Patrick Kravitz
Key Assist Collin Arend
Production Assistant Tayton Troidi

05/02/2023

Get to know : Our B2B partner provides clients with complex enterprise software solutions. In other words, they help their friends breathe a little easier as they scale into the digital world.

This cut was a blast to produce precisely because the solutions from their tech are so massive they have the potential to scale exponentially! BUT the story is REALLY about helping change-makers problem-solve to modern solutions , stress-free because the solutions are already Blend-built!

The solutions you thought were impossible are now a reality. With composable origination, you can easily configure components to meet your needs across…

04/19/2023

Software clients are the best because many times we are asked to create ads for products and services that have never before existed or have changed entirely! was surely one of those, and the story behind this was much more about discovery than it was about just directing. It requires a real partnership, which is where we thrive!
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/670020760

After many rounds of wireframing, brainstorming, consulting with engineers, starting over, and getting it right while the product is literally changing by the minute, we landed in a place where we felt the voice was really fun while introducing a ton of new technical features. After a full round of external casting, the marketing team just fell in lurv with our vocals, so surprise, it’s actually our creatives on the spot!

Unlike design layers, Flows in Zeplin use dynamic connectors and labels that snap into place and move as screens are added or removed. They're also conveniently separate from actual design elements.

Thank you to everyone involved in this project.
Making something new is why we do what we do.

Credits:

Client: Zeplin
Director: Adam Chitayat
Producer: Sarah Casale
Animator: Ben Zingo zingos_art_corner
Design: Lori Meyer lori_is_late
VO Actors: Sullivan Slentz & Sarah Casale
Sound Design: Ryan Meadows

04/13/2023

Have you been using ?
Evan Dawson, the host of the NPR podcast "Connections with Evan Dawson," interviews Aaron Gordon, founder and CEO of Optic Sky Productions and co-founder and COO of Synapse Virtual Production. They are joined by Jeff Knauss, entrepreneur, angel investor, and restauranteur to explore the question, "How might artificial intelligence make life better?"

Lately, there's been a lot of discussion about the potential negative impact of AI in the future. Evan is an admitted AI curmudgeon. This hour is a kind of intervention. Can some of AI's biggest fans convince Evan to embrace the AI future? How will it make life better?

As 's podcast host, Dawson raises the prompt of approaching changes in AI with optimism, pragmatism, and the inevitable nature of this technology. We find out from the guests:

Listen to the podcast aired March 8, 2023 in the link below!

https://www.wxxinews.org/show/connections/2023-03-08/how-might-artificial-intelligence-make-life-better

In the second hour of "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Thursday, July 28, 2022, our guest discusses how augmented reality could affect our lives. We ask, do you want this kind of future?

03/14/2023

"The Test" was a pretty wild ride. Not only was it a pretty awesome set of days, but this baby also won a silver last weekend for Video Editing! Thanks to the team; you guys made this one impossible to forget! 😎🎥🤘🏼
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCTxleFPdXM

Director: Anton Jøsef�
Director of Photography: Ryan Spacone �
Production Company: Optic Sky Productions�
Executive Producer: Aaron Gordon�
Head of Production: Matthew
O’Neill �Producer: John Takacs
Editor: Editor: Scott Edwards�
Assistant Editor: Anu Chhetry
�Executive Producer: Tanja Harney �
Colorist: Jeff Sousa�Sound Designer: Brian Mullany
Production Manager: Melanie Monte�
Production Coordinator: Keanna McLaughlin �
1st AD: Dennis Brenhaug �
2nd AD: Adam Mansell �
1st AC: David Maslyn �
2nd AC: Amanda Hughes�
DIT: Corey Scibilia �Gaffer: Rick Shannon �
Best Electric: Bruce Begy �
Key Grip: Chuck Moran �
Best Grip: Tim Limner �
Best Swing: Matt Saeva �
Grip/Driver: Mike Drago �
Sound/Grip: Mike Barra
�Production Designer: Leah Glickman�
Shopper/Set Stylist: Anastasia Cerankosky
�Props Asst: Nick Bertino �
Stylist: Amanda DeYager �
Wardrobe Assistant: Denyse Funk �Key
Makeup/Hair: Maryellen Howe
�Locations Manager: Chris Hussar �Craft
Services: Matt Rowell �
COVID Officer: Flora Kraatz �
Set Teacher: Jeannie Clinton

Less prep, more family time

03/01/2023

Throwing it back 🤘🏼 to this one we worked on with Article Group. Whether preparing for a real meeting or celebrating a birthday surprise, stay connected with Google Workspace.

Whether you're preparing for a real meeting or celebrating a birthday surprise, stay connected with Google Workspace. Learn more: https://workspace.google.com

02/22/2023

Today we’re HERE at the Winter Gear Expo in Buffalo! If you’re here too let’s nerd out. You’ll be able to see one of our favorites projects in virtual production, the “Come Alive” Jackson Wang music video which just this week surpassed +10M views on Youtube. Come check it out, it’s literally not from this world.

02/18/2023

Sharing this work of augmented reality MASTERY featured on SparkAR blog for the fashion house DIOR. They take the designs from the merchandise and extend the experience to the users' worlds via augmented reality. Explore the the making in the link below:

Go behind the scenes with the creative team at BUCK as they concept, build and launch a collection of AR experiences for DIOR.

02/17/2023

Takin' it back on a Friday: We love a good challenge, and translating an app, or software, into an emotional experience is just what we love to do. Directed by Keith Rivers this story tells you just what it means to be a Zillow Premiere Agent. Let us know what you think in the comments!
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/685959484
We just loved the tempo. Man, creating for Zillow is fun.

02/13/2023

Bringing you ENERGY on a post- Monday! After halftime, you probably caught Chicken Love ad, and if you didn’t, we brought it to your feed so you can partake in some well-deserved VIP rosemary deliciousness at lunchtime today. As you can see, we are obsessed with this chicken.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyGzfjevFvw



Credits:
Exec. Producer: Aaron Gordon
Head of Prod: Matt O’Neill
Director: John Polo
Producer: John Takacs
DIT/Editor: Corey Scibilia
Production Manager: Melanie Monte
Production Coordinator: Keanna McLaughlin
Dir. of Photography: Sean Conte
1st AD: Dennis Brenhaug
2nd AD: Collin Arend
1st Asst Cam: David Maslyn
2nd Asst Cam: Tori Dunn
Gaffer: Rick Shannon
Best Electric: Bruce Begy
Electric John Davis
Electric Nick Earley
Key Grip: Chuck Moran
Best Boy Grip: Mike Drago
Dolly | Grip: Kash Costner
Grip Shoot: Joe Bunce
Grip: Bill Shackelton
Sound Shoot-4th Grip Pre Lt: Mike Barra
Production Designer: Leah Glickman
Set Decorator | Shopper: Anastasia Cerankosky
Prop Master: Nick Bertino
Props Assist: Andy Bissanti
Wardrobe Stylist: Amanda Deyager
Wardrobe Asst: Denyse Funk
Wardrobe Asst: Karin Eckert
Wardrobe Asst: Martha O’Connor
HMU Stylist: Maryellen Howe
HMU Asst: Cassandra Lyons
HMU Asst: Marissa Haley
HMU Asst: Joseph Rothrock
Locations Manager: Melanie Morse
Craft Services: Natasha Perkins
Craft Assist: Felicia Cruz
CCO | PA: Kyle Licht
Key Assist: Patrick Marsh
Production Assistant: Dylan Hoffman
Production Assistant: Kevin Flanagan
Production Assistant:Patrick Kravitz
Production Assistant: Kaileen Rozahnski
Production Assistant: Adrian Lausell
Production Assistant: Tayton Troidi
Production Assistant: Karl Egbe

02/10/2023

For their newest spot, “The Test,” Wegman’s wanted to shoot for the heart of the home, so we helped them tell the story we all know too well. From parallel parking to scratching the paint on the family car, being side by side with a parent encouraging you, and gasping simultaneously, learning to drive is just as much a family journey as it is a DMV test.

Bring a little heart into your brand stories

Director: John Polo Head of Production: Matt O’Neill Executive Producer: Aaron Gordon Producer: John Takacs DIT/Editor: Corey Scibilia Director of Photography:…

02/09/2023

As 2023 rolls into the second month of the year, we wanted to take a moment to bring some love back to our Ukrainian friends. We believe in supporting those who are still on the ground and want to share just a few ways you can help our friends at . They specialize in bringing direct aid, supplies, and crowdsourcing via digital platforms and onsite efforts throughout Rochester.

Here are just a few ways you can join us in celebrating foot troops and the mission of keeping the spirit of this country strong in their fight.

1. Use our filters for your next selfies to spread the love and the nonprofit's filter to your friends. Snapchat Lens>> Instagram Filter>>
2. Donate on their website https://bit.ly/3XaNLkC
3. Explore the current collections here > https://bit.ly/3X9rcNh
4. Or if you live in Rochester and want to meet these amazing people and even volunteer, you can join the effort here! https://bit.ly/3X7nuUj

If you wish to help the victims of war in Ukraine, you can do so in one of the following ways: Donate to RocMaidan. Your donation is tax-deductible. We use the funds to purchase tactical medical supplies, first-responder protective gear, portable x-ray machines, and other necessary medical

01/26/2023

Software clients are the best because many times we are asked to create ads for products and services that have never before existed or have changed entirely! was surely one of those, and the story behind this was much more about discovery than it was about just directing. It requires a real partnership, which is where we thrive!

The you hear? It's our core team working those pipes! After many rounds of wireframing, brainstorming, consulting with engineers, starting over, and getting it right while the product is literally changing by the minute, we landed in a place where we felt the voice was really fun while introducing a ton of new technical features. After a full round of external casting, the marketing team just fell in lurv with our vocals, so surprise, it’s actually our creatives on the spot!

Unlike design layers, Flows in Zeplin use dynamic connectors and labels that snap into place and move as screens are added or removed. They're also conveniently separate from actual design elements.

Thank you to everyone involved in this project.
Making something new is why we do what we do.


Credits:

Client: Zeplin
Director: Adam Chitayat
Producer: Sarah Casale
Animator: Ben Zingo zingos_art_corner
Design: Lori Meyer lori_is_late
VO Actors: Sullivan Slentz & Sarah Casale
Sound Design: Ryan Meadows

01/20/2023

Just found this EPIC GEM from MAGIC Spell Studios. Our partnership with consisted of helping design a virtual production workflow for students who are looking for futures in this creative technology. Lead by Tim Stringer & Emily Haldeman and of course Aaron Gordon.

https://vimeo.com/702301861

A spotlight on the commercial virtual production facilitated by Optic Sky Productions in collaboration with the Electric Vehicle Team (EVT) made at the end of the Spring 2021 semester. Key creators, , and reflect on the production and the different aspects of experimentation and involvement that allowed mutual education and fun to lead the charge into creating an effective virtual production .

A spotlight on the commercial virtual production facilitated by Optic Sky Productions in collaboration with the Electric Vehicle Team (EVT) made at the end of the…

01/19/2023

Excuse us while we reintroduce our animators' imaginations. What can we say, here at we're simply a and our creatives could not hold back. Throwing it back with an oldie that we hold near and dear. 🥂

#2023
#2022

01/16/2023

Technology has been used to create digital experiences in museums SO UNIQUE people go back just to see exhibitions again.
We partnered with of Indianapolis to show how to utilize emerging tech to entice young audiences. Children today expect all kinds of interactive experiences and tend to "drag their feet" in conventional exhibits, to put it simply. If we're talkin' about business, modernizing education is another example of how institutions are using technology and creative storytelling to improve pandemic attendance numbers.

https://opticskypro.com/updates/touchless-museum-experiences-are-here-to-stay/

Working closely with the museum, our Digital Experiences team brought their marine "magic" to deliver a custom-made interactive ocean life experience to the children of Indianapolis using projection mapping.

These one-of-a-kind projects are now THE way to educate the youth on history or art and the museum industry on how to stay cutting edge in a world that's evolving right in front of our eyes.

Tap into our stories to read more about our project and how other museums have taken tech to become sensations among museum-goers.