Burn Notice gets its Pink Slip

Miami is known for its glamorous criminality. Shows like Miami Vice and movies like Scarface are just some of the earlier productions that reshaped Miami’s image from a place to go when it’s time to retire to a sunny place for shady people. This makes Miami the perfect backdrop for any show where the good guys go after the bad guys, and in the case of Burn Notice, the ex-spy goes after the international criminal cartels.

Burn Notice came to Miami in 2007. Originally show producer Max Nix wanted the show to be set in New Jersey, a more believable location for recently dismissed secret agent Michael Weston to live out his own retirement, when the USA Network decided that they wanted a bigger contrast between the character and his environment and selected Miami as the location for Burn Notice. The name of the show comes from the saying “Spies don’t get pink slips, they get burn notices” and it looks like Burn Notice is getting its pink slip after all.

After a successful seven years of filming in Miami, Burn Notice has been cancelled. The show was being funded by production incentives from the Florida State Legislature and when Florida decided to cease funding the program Burn Notice decided to cancel the TV show after 111 episodes.  Although they still than enough financial support for at least two more seasons, rumor has it that the funding did not allow for higher salaries for the cast and an exhausted creative team.

In addition to Burn Notice, two other South Florida TV shows were recently canceled.  Magic City, a TV show set in Miami in 1959 about the owner of a luxury hotel, and The Glades, set in Palm Beach County, about Chicago detective who takes a position with The Florida Department of Law Enforcement. These two shows were canceled in August 2013 around the same time that the state’s production incentives stopped being funded.

For those of you are looking to see more of Michael Weston’s adventures, there has been talk of a movie or perhaps a spin-off of some sort. Although no one has asked the Burn Notice creators to write any scripts just yet, the series finale was left open ended. Burn Notice will be missed in Miami, and so will the production incentives that will allow state funding for future South Florida shows.

The Dawn of 3D Film

3D movies have gone from a staple of 1950s drive-in movies to the definitive cutting edge technology for cinema in the 21st century. From animated films to summer blockbusters, 3D technology is becoming prized for its ability to create an illusion of depth that lends an element of realism to the action on screen.

The earliest tests of 3D technology occurred in 1915 and the first known movie to be filmed in 3D was "The Power of Love," a silent film released in 1922. It used dual-strip projection and was viewed using red and green anaglyph glasses. 3D technology did not see widespread usage until the so-called 3D Golden Era that lasted from 1952 to 1955. Starting with the release of "Bwana Devil" in 1952, a host of 3D films were released to the public.

3D films produced in the 1950s typically used dual strip projection and Polaroid filters to reduce glare. They also featured a number of technological advances. "Bwana Devil" featured the first 3D film use of stereophonic color. The 1953 version of "House of Wax" became the first 3D film to use stereophonic sound. It was a box office success and helped pave the way for other notable 3D movies from "It Came From Outer Space" to "The Creature From the Black Lagoon" to be released into theaters.

"The Creature of the Black Lagoon" was shot in Florida and began the association of Miami film studios with 3D cinema. That association has continued into the 21st century with the work of Soho Studios, a leader in TV and film production in Miami.

3D returned to the big screen for a second craze from 1981 to 1983. Popular move franchises like "Friday the 13th," "Jaws" and “The Amityville Horror” all released installments using 3-D effects. 3D productions died down again after the box office failure of "Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone" in 1983.

IMAX theaters played a role in the rebirth of modern 3D. The theaters offered huge screens with a larger field of vision that made 3D effects higher quality and reduced eye fatigue for viewers. James Cameron pioneered the use of HD video cameras in his Reality Camera System to achieve a cleaner and more realistic 3D effect on screen. Cameron pioneered its use in "Ghosts of the Abyss" in 2003 and made 3D profitable again with the release of "Avatar" in 2009. It became the highest grossing movie of all time.

How to shoot a music video

In a world where content is king, video is king of content. Even pod casts are frequently shot on video because people want to see their entertainment. A music video puts you on display. It immediately creates a soapbox to spread your message from that people will flock to and share. Videos go viral. They reach eyes and ears that you'd never reach on your own.

It used to be that MTV was the only place to get seen, and that meant the backing of a major label, critical buzz and a whole lot of luck. With the rise of the internet, YouTube, Vimeo and other services if you're planning a video shoot in Miami not only will you have access to some of the most over the top party venues Miami has to offer you'll have hundreds of thousands of eyes waiting for you.

But you're an artist. You're a voice. You probably don't know how to shoot a music video like Pitbull. You need video production source of expertise and ability. Music video directors may not win Oscars, but they work very tightly. When you see a dozen women having fun and spraying champagne all over each other in a club with a laser light show in the background nothing happening in the scene is spontaneous.

From another angle that same set might be a completely different location. Most music videos are shot very quickly. Getting the most out every location is an amazingly valuable tool. Every angle needs to be captured and every jump cut, insert and cutaway needs to be shot. "What do you mean we didn't get that?" is not a good mantra in the editing room.

A choice of Miami video production offers some of the world’s most sophisticated and exciting clubs, beaches, boats and even dazzling architecture. This city of bright lights, culture and physical enjoyment is a fine marinade for inspiration. Good videos have made songs for you, and they've made them for your audience. Video remains king.

Pain and Gain Trailer

Michael Bay's new movie gets a new trailer and makeover showing more tongue in cheek humor this movie has to offer. This movie appears to have all the hallmarks of a dark movie with a sweet taste of dark humor The new red band trailer for Pain and Gain was released today and for all you Miami lovers this movie looks great!

Ken Jeong who famously plays the hilarious gangster in Hangover, also appears in Pain and Gain as a motivational speaker. Ken's character appears to be on the same wave length as Mark Whalberg's and realizes that he could be married and have another 7 wives at the same time!

Rebel Wilson (Brides Maids and Bachelorette)  also stars in this movie and provides that needed slapstick humor, most notably saying why you have  "chocolate-covered Raisinettes" to her fellow patient while drooling at the same time.

With muscles, severed toes, bromance, and based in sexy Miami, Michael Bay seems to do a great job with this movie and do it justice.

Other big directors should take note and remember that Wynwood is the next Hollywood. Also known as Miami's art's district, Wynwood has transformed into one of the hottest filming locations in Miami. If you didn't notice it, some scenes in this trailer show some Wynwood murals. Undoubtedly, Wynwood has all the characteristics any Hollywood director is looking for and at Soho Studios we get very excited when big movies are filmed in Wynwood like Step Up 4 back in 2011 at Soho Studios.

Soho Studios is the largest and best film studio in Florida. Based in the heart of Miami and in the arts district know as Wynwood we have all the needs any Hollywood director is looking for in our 3 studios.

Art Deco in Film

In 1979, the National Register of Historic Places crowned Miami Beach's Art Deco District a Historical Place in America. The Art Deco in Miami is composed of structures built between 1923 and 1943 and is the world’s largest collection of Art Deco architecture. South Beach has grown tremendously in popularity as a Mecca for tourists not only because it helps showcase Miami architecture, but also because the city's unique style.

Because of its beauty, pleasant weather and welcoming eclectic population, many famous movies have been filmed there, as there is never a loss of places to shoot film in Miami. The Art Deco buildings have been used as a back drop in numerous movies. Oscar winner, Will Smith, filmed “Ali,” in South Beach. Other movies include: “Scarface,” and “The Bird Cage." Ideal outdoor locations and all-year available highways make Miami a Mecca for action movies and a good car chase, such as “Casino Royale” and “Bad Boys.” These movies helped to show the true beauty of Miami and the treasure of the Art Deco District of South Beach.

One company that has been instrumental in bringing film and television production to the Miami area is Soho Studios. Soho Studios is the premier resource for all production needs. Soho Studios is a large scale multi-purpose event space and convention center in the Wynwood District of Miami. Miami is an international hot spot for production and Soho Studios is the go-to company for film production in Miami. Soho Studios has film & television studios available, and the 65K square foot facility is air conditioned which is essential in the tropical climate. Soho Studios Convention Center can be set as a concert venue, event space or photography studio, even an art gallery during Art Basel Miami Beach.

Miami’s full of eclectic outdoor locations for film and television, and the Art Deco Architecture of South Beach is just one of them. For an indoor location that will showcase your work and help with all your production needs Soho Studios is Miami’s premier film and television studio.

We love film production in Miami!

With the advent of the film industry, Florida quickly became a film making destination. In the days of silent movies, Florida's weather and beautiful locations made it comparable to Hollywood for film production and, eventually for use by television studios as well.

Today, Florida remains only behind California and New York as favored sites for movies.

Miami in particular has become a desired location.

Miami has a rich tradition of film festivals that appeal to a diverse audience. There is of course, the Miami International Film Festival, but others include the Miami Jewish Film Festival, The Miami Short Film Festival, Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, and the Doc Miami International Film Festival. Miami also has served as the site of American Black Film Festival, The Israel Film Festival and the Brazilian Film Festival.

Miami’s festivals, artistic atmosphere, and ever increasing impressive facilities continue to make Miami an increasingly desired location. Enter "film production Miami" as keywords in an online search, and you'll discover Miami as a convenient and affordable choice for film and television studios producers.

The groundwork has been laid for film production in Miami, and independent film makers in particular, have found it a fertile and budget friendly alternative to getting projects done on time.

An amazing South Florida asset is Soho Studios.

Located in the trendy Wynwood District of Miami, Soho Studios are a versatile facility has been utilized for concert venues, trade shows, art galleries, and of course Miami’s premier film and television studio.

If you are considering film production in South Florida and are searching for a Miami film studio, you should at least consider Soho Studios.

A talented staff, incredible space, and a South Florida atmosphere that will keep you wanting more are just of few of the reasons to look into Soho Studios.

There are years of film and television history in Miami, Florida and it continues to grow with every successful project completed in convenient, budget friendly locations. Learn more, and consider South Florida and the impressive Soho Studios for your next project.