Karma Kollective Signs East Coast Rep, Wang Bros. as Directors, Produces New "KidzBop" TV Spot

April 07, 2009 -- DMN Newswire--2009-4-7--Karma Kollective (KK,) a full-service production company specializing in local, regional, national and international TV commercials, music videos and multi-media projects has made several company announcements through Yamani Watkins, Founder/Executive Producer, and Edy Enriquez, Executive Producer.

Karma Kollective has just signed Daria Zeliger of A:D Talent Management, as the companyâ??s East Coast rep for commercials. Zeliger joins other KK reps Lauren McNamara, of the rep firm Lauren McNamara, Inc., for the Mid-West, Jack Reed, of Jack Reed Reps, for the South, and Yvette Lubinsky of the rep firm YvetteReps, for the West Coast.

Karma Kollective has also signed the Wang Bros. as directors. The Wang Bros.â?? currently direct a TV show, entitled â??Kamen Rider,â?? based on a popular Japanese character who is a sci-fi action hero. That series airs on the â??CW4Kidsâ?? segment of the CW Network on Saturday mornings. The storyline of the series is as follows: Kamen Rider, aka Takeshi Hongo, is an altered human. He was altered by the evil secret society, â??Shocker,â?? who plan on world conquest. Kamen Rider fights against Shocker for the sake of human freedom. (Note: Please see more about the Wang Bros. belowâ?¦)

Karma Kollectiveâ??s director Elliott Lester recently directed a TV commercial for a video campaign promoting â??KidzBopâ?? entitled â??KidzBop 15â?? for client Razor & Tie Entertainment. Kidz Bop is the most-popular and most-recognized music brand in the U.S. at present for kids aged 4-11, selling over 10 million CDs in 6 years. Featuring today's most popular songs, sung by kids for kids, KidzBop titles have earned nine Gold-certified albums since their debut in 2001.

          Sally Bunnell, Executive Producer, with Razor & Tie Entertainment, said, â??Karma Kollective was responsible for taking Kidz Bop to the next level! They shot our recent Kidz Bop 15 commercial and video campaign, and creatively they were able to keep to the core of who our market was all while making it look like nothing that had run before on childrenâ??s advertising. They were the most efficient, honest, and friendly company I have had the pleasure of working with. If I could hire one company to do all my work, it would be Karma Kollective.â??

 

          "Elliott Lester is a director whose keen sense for directing talent is surely his leading asset. Whether directing children, adults or mythological creatures, Elliott draws out their personalities, which translates to organic believability on camera for the client," adds Yamani Watkins.

ABOUT THE WANG BROTHERS, MIKE AND STEVE WANG:

          Mike Wang directed his first commercial at the young age of 23, What Guys Want, for Anheuser Busch, featuring Bud Light.  The spot was a comedic story about a young sexy woman who gets ready for a night on the town.  The viewer follows her getting out of the shower, slipping into her dress and stilettos. As she puts on her makeup, she realizes she is missing something.  She heads into the kitchen where she grabs a Bud Light out of the refrigerator.  Instead of drinking the beer, the woman dabs a couple drops on her neck like perfume all to the tongue and cheek song I know what boys like...I know what guys want! by the Waitresses. 

          The spot garnered numerous awards and put Wang on the map in the world of commercials. He has since gained a reputation for having great comedic timing and strong storytelling abilities.  These skills have helped Wang build a body of work that is not only entertaining, but memorable.  His clients have included Epson, Heineken, Bud Light, Mercedes-Benz, Bridgestone, Target, Fox sports, Nintendo, Polaris, Buell Motorcycles, Burger King, Wendyâ??s and Florsheim Shoes.

          Mike Wangâ??s most memorable spot to date was also for Anheuser Busch (Bud Light), titled Centerfold.  The spot follows a young guy who is watching a soccer game.  During the halftime show, his interests are on a magazine on his coffee table.  He flips through and sees a centerfold of a sexy female.  To get a closer look he grabs his glasses from the table only to knock his Bud Light all over the magazine.  To save the last drops of his beer he folds the magazine and licks the page of the pictorial.  His wife and mother-in-law walk in on him.  His wife is disappointed while his mother-in-law is disgusted.

          The Centerfold spot won the â??Best in Showâ?? Award at the Ad Age awards.  In addition, it placed at the Cannes awards and also won gold for the FIAP in Latin America.  He says, â??Great comedy and storytelling crosses over in any market.  It is universal in whatever the language.â?? Mike recently wrapped a hilarious campaign for Tire Pros as well as Gateway Computers for The WOO Agency. 

          Mike and his brother Steve Wang, a legendary make-up FX artist, whose work includes The Predator, Blade 3, Underworld Evolution and Hellboy, are currently in production on â??Kamen Rider Dragon Knight,â?? the US adaptation of

the long running Japanese series â??Kamen Riderâ?? created by legendary comic book creator Shotaro Ishinomori. This will be The Wang Brothers first foray into television and he and his brother Steve are extremely excited that they have the opportunity to bring â??Kamen Riderâ?? to the states, slated to debut April 2009.
          Steve Wang, a diverse, driven action director, loves a good challenge and views obstacles as mere potholes on his road to success. His first feature film, â??Kung Fu Rascals,â?? attracted Hollywoodâ??s attention and caused a buzz with its shoestring budget and epic proportions. Entirely financed out of his own pocket, "Rascals" was an extravaganza of action, creatures, special effects and laughs, made for $40,000. He found himself with a cult hit on his hands.
          Added to Steveâ??s list of other feature credits are â??The Guyver,â?? a co-directorial, and â??Guyver 2: Dark Hero,â?? which he produced and directed. Based on the popular Japanese comic book hero, Guyver 2 received rave reviews. "...a compelling drama...featuring the most spectacular martial arts combat choreography this side of Hong Kong!"...Animerica Magazine. "Forget BATMAN, SUPERMAN or even CITY HUNTER. This is the best comic book hero to live-action adaptation, PERIOD!"...Sentai Magazine.
          Born in Taiwan, Steve and his family immigrated to the United States when he was 9. Inspired as a child by the science fiction series, "ULTRAMAN" (the Power Rangers of his era), and Hong Kong martial arts films long before they were common in America, he cited, "I was one of those kids who would sit through 5 continuous showings of MASTERS OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE." Little did he know, these early influences would eventually help shape his unique film style.
          Aside from filmmaking, Steve is also a top-ranking special creature effects designer. He has worked with the likes of Academy Award winners Stan Winston, Rick Baker and Dick Smith. Steveâ??s artistry is featured in over 100 films. Steve completed his forth feature film, â??Drive,â?? an action-comedy starring Mark Dacascos and Kadeem Hardison. It won the Minami Toshiko (Critics) Award at the 1997 Yubari International Fantastic Adventure Film Festival (Japanâ??s 2nd biggest festival) and took 1st place for Best International Film at the 3rd annual Fant-Asia Film Festival in Montreal, 1998.
          Steve has recently produced and directed episodes for Kamen Rider Dragon Knight, a Sci-fi action superhero TV show based on a popular Japanese character. Kamen Rider Dragon Knight is slated to air in 2009.

 

 

ABOUT KARMA KOLLECTIVE:

          Founded in 2008 in Culver City, CA, by Executive Producer Yamani Watkins with Edy Enriquez also serving as Executive Producer, Karma Kollective is a full-service production company specializing in commercials, music videos  and multi-media projects. The companyâ??s address is 5870-D W. Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA 90016, the web is www.karmakollective.tv  and the phone is 310/836-5100.
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