Blog

april showers bring may power

April 26th, 2010 | Posted in Blog | No Comments
Tags: Atlanta video production, marketing, Mike Von Ruden, vicente castillo, video producers, Video production

This Spring we’ve really cultivated our business and the fruits of those labors have kept us busy. We’d really like to thank Sarah Cooper for all you’ve done and do…. you’re the best. We’d also like to welcome Alicia Mokwa to our team and demented little family, you are a such a positive force…… thank you ladies; you’re hot, funny and smart ….. obviously, tolerant.

We’re busy with some great projects. We’re getting our God on currently, producing a live concert dvd in Norfolk, VA for Gospel Star, Maurette Brown Clark. She’s a phenomenal person and sensational artist. It’s always a pleasure to work with her. After the success of her song, “It Ain’t Over” and our music video, we’re teaming up again to produce a 5 camera, live concert dvd. The crane shots were awe-inspiring, Maurette , choir and band came through and well, Vicente was in his element and showed why, it is truely his……. I’m just happy I managed to get it wired correctly, seriously…. bonus that I got some killer footage on the new Canon 7d . check her out – http://www.maurettebrownclark.com/

“there ain’t no rest for the wicked” -Cage The Elephant …… apparently not the Gospel train either.

We’re finishing off a concert dvd package for early Summer for Gospel star, Dathan Thigpen. Dathan’s currently starring on BET’s “Sunday’s Best”, check out Dathan on Sunday’s Best or www.dathanthigpen.com ,where we’re producing promotional materials for the charismatic, young star.

We’ve been busy with one of our longest and favorite clients, Ludacris; from an AIDS Awareness PSA, promotional endorsements for Straits (his restaurant), an Oscar Party, a Polo Ralph Lauren Event, re-branding The Ludacris Foundation website, and yes ,,, Miss Roberta <wink, wink>….. the much anticipated Leadership Project.

We’ve been to Washington, DC for an immigration reform rally, where our 2010 Census PSA debuted. Many of the images and footage from this event will be part of the music video we’re producing for Karco and the Synopsis bunch (reunited?????)…. Vicente travelled to Miami to shoot elements for this with Karco and I shot the rest here in our Atlanta studio.

We’re producing a commercial with our favorite Behavorial Health Institute…. seriously, they’re a client. Maybe it’s a natural fit…. and it’s taken Vicente back to his South Texas home and me back to my adopted roots… (we do love us some Texas, especially our Austin, San Antone and Corpus)

Toss in trips to Florida, South Carolina, and Illinois and of course some local Atlanta clients (we love you too) and we’re busy, road-weary and loving it. Vicente is a little concerned about his trips to Nebraska and Maryland shortly to work with the Soy Bean Clan….. wait, that… that phrasing ain’t gonna help any….

In the words of my never short on them partner, “we’re living the dream”……… and from me, “yeah,,, yeah, we like what we do…..”

FIVE weeks to kick some serious tail before Costa Rica, surfs upi….. Pura Vida Bebe, Pura Vida!

To borrow from our boy, Luda…. “deuces, I’m out”

Feeling the Hunger…

January 27th, 2010 | Posted in Blog | No Comments
Tags: Atlanta food, photojournalist, Solanta, vicente castillo, video producers

I want to add some suggestions on here about where to eat around Atlanta. As a photojournalist for so long, it was hard to take the time and really enjoy meals during the work day. Now that I have time, I have made some notes about edible food spots for friends on what’s good and worth the price. Some restaurants get suggested on here also based on speed because like alot of people today, photojournalist and video producers have to go 80 MPH everyday to meet deadlines and commitments. My hope is that you’ll trust my palate for food and service.
My experience? Well I originally went to school for Culinary Arts and switched to journalism and did the latter for 17 years. I never forgot the fundamentals of seasoning and mixing flavors.
If you know of some good places, feel free to post them on here but be specific as to why you like it.
F=Fast
S=Good Service
A=Excellent Atmosphere
AF=Authentic Food
R+R=Recommend and Return
SOS=Shit on Sight. Not literally but this is reserved for just bad everything.

First victim?
El Toro Mexican Grill 2
687 Memorial Drive Southeast, Atlanta, GA 30316
(404) 688-8111‎

R+R, S, A, AF
I visited just because it’s the closest Mexican restaurant to my house. I expected generic tacos and mariachi music with focus on the props rather than the food.
I was wrong from the get. Clean and open dining area, modern music, immediate service and an amazing atmosphere.
A four page menu but well categorized a waitress that knew it cover to cover. Attentive but not intrusive. A fire place that was maintain constantly and was well decorated.
The food was excellent. My 2 kids who will walk away from bad food no matter what, had great thinks to say about the Quesadilla, Burger and sides of Beans and Rice.
My wife had the Chimichanga (called the Changa in the menu) and I went with a fire grilled serving of Chicken, Beef and Shrimp Fajitas. Anytime you try and combine these meats,
You run into dry chicken but I can say this was the exception. Maybe I ordered the chicken in it so that I could complain but I was shut down. I was very satisfied with the portions as was my family.
I behaved like a Foodie and wondered when I’d be back again.
As far as clientele? A very good mix of neighborhood people (L5P/Grant Park) and obvious regulars.
Buford Highway might loose a few Spanish food lovers to Little 5 Points with this one.
Negative? The Sopapillas (mexican dessert) not-so-papillas. Skip this.

So for production crews and photgs: Come after day shift or when you get an actual lunch but this is far from fast food.

Own the Bananas

January 2nd, 2010 | Posted in Blog | No Comments
Tags: atlanta marketing, atlanta online marketing, Atlanta video production, marketing, Mike Von Ruden, SEO, Solanta, video, Video production

As we embark on 2010, we’re adding a new focus and services to our video production services. Through an online marking focus, we are equipped to market and promote your video/product/website, consequently add real “value”….(read: a great video is nice, but without an implementation/marketing plan….what real good is it?).

In an economic crunch, it’s as important as ever to improve the efficacy of your online marketing campaigns. From website optimization, keyword research/implementation, SEO, promotion, to coupon offering and many things in between – there are many components to online marketing that should be approached as part of an overall cohesive plan to maximize impact, success and cost. It’s all about helping your clients find you and improving the way you interact with them online.

It all begins with a FREE website evaluation. Let us look at your website and give you an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses, not from a design perspective but from a marketing perspective.

- Mike

mike@solanta.com

404.822.7851

2010 Solanta

December 23rd, 2009 | Posted in Blog | 1 Comment

We are down to 3 edits and we are done with everything for a week and can take a moment to plan for next year and of course to have a good New Years Eve.

New Years is a close second to Halloween for me, it just fits me. No work for this one, just party.

We have a few plans already in play for next year. The biggest deal is our new service of Internet Optimization. Mike is working with that and a few new partners focusing just on that. I’m not very tech but it will be a great service for independent artist and especially small businesses trying to compete on the internet with the big dogs.

Well, we’re going to help sharpen your internet marketing teeth, give you a bigger bite even. I’ll get Mike to tell you more about that.

Projects, we do have a few already on the books. “Tuesdays” is a short film from Randy Reynolds should be an interesting story. Randy, an electrician by trade, has been working on the script for the last 3 years and is having Solanta produce it.

A few bands like State of Man and maybe SallyJane should be rolling in February. State of Man is ending their year in Cuba, doing a show at Guantanamo Bay for the 3000+ troops serving there. John Stringer, the singer for the band and I are working on a few new projects that I think will be powerful and inspiring.

So expect more blogging from us for 2010, of course thanks to Sarah Cooper, for making this site look like magic.

Any questions or needs feel free to hit me up.

vicente@solanta.com

404.808.6197

Have a good 2010!

Solanta Wins at Atlanta ExpoRok

December 22nd, 2009 | Posted in Blog | No Comments

Solanta Entertainment took home the first place prize for best music video at Atlanta ExpoRok for Stereozul’s “Cuestion de Piel”. Check out the video below!