Jtwo Welcomes Intern Lana Duda
READY TO BE HEARD
By Lana Duda
I see filmmaking as the ultimate form of art. It’s visual, auditory, emotional, informal, and can bring people together. Visual media is something that has become so accessible and dominant in how individuals see and understand the world. Being a part of the film industry gives me the opportunity to create media that accurately represents the truth and heart of a story that can inspire and educate viewers. Film is a window into the cultures and the lives of others. My goal in this industry is to be a part of those stories and help those individuals be heard.
I grew up watching films that changed the way of visual storytelling, Citizen Kane, Tokyo Story, Vertigo, Touki Bouki, etc. Those films have become a foundation towards my storytelling, representation, and the history of film. Film is so powerful and I want to be a part of the new age of filmmaking that elevates these stories to a more equal, realistic, representative level that has allowed more individuals, innovation, and ideas to be seen.
The funny thing is, I never saw myself heading down this career path. I always had a very natural creative ability, but I grew up in a very math and science dominated school and unfortunately, the arts was something to be budgeted and cut. Not until my senior year of high school did I question filmmaking. I applied to Temple University as a Biology Major and I was not happy. I was doing things that I thought others expected of me instead of taking the risk to say “I don’t know what I want to do”. I declared undecided and took a film class. I finally felt like I was in a space where I could be creative with others.
From there I declared film and fell in love with Post-Production. In those four years I learned and dedicated myself to working on projects that told an important story. I cannot imagine doing anything else. Post -production is the perfect amount of creativity and technological ability that continues to teach and challenge me everyday. It’s something I can do for hours on end and never be sick of it.
As my final semester at Temple came to an end, I talked to a mentor who told me about JTwo Films. I reached out to their head editor to talk, connect, and ultimately learn from their experiences as an editor in Philly. They themselves interned at JTwo and through hard work and dedication they were recognized and rewarded. Besides their amazing works and stories, that is something that really stood out to me. I had nothing to lose. I applied for the internship and now I am extremely thankful to have this position and be a part of JTwo’s storytelling experience.
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.
Jtwo collaborates with agency BRG Communications
PROJECT DETAILS
BRG Communications out of Alexandria Virginia came to us about producing a couple of projects for the American Cleaning Institute (ACI). The first one we produced is a national PSA for TV. This was created for ACI’s new campaign titled, “Cleaning is Caring” to communicate the value of cleaning in today’s society as a way to protect one another from the spread of illness and encourage consumers to maintain proper cleaning behaviors adopted during the pandemic. We worked hand in hand with BRG Communications to make sure the project brought the awareness that ACI was looking for to spread the new campaign across the US.
The Second project entailed our animation team creating a whiteboard animation for ACI’s “Packets Up!” initiative. This animation was driven by the theme of bringing awareness on liquid laundry packet safety not only to adults but for young kids as well. It is a light-hearted animation detailing that proper storage and use of all cleaning products is a daily practice that can help prevent accidents in the home.
Cleaning is Caring
Client: BRG Communications
We partnered up with BRG Communications to produce a PSA for American Cleaning Insitute.
Liquid Laundry Packets: Simple, Sustainable, Safe
Client: BRG Communications
We partnered with Virginia based agency BRG Communications to create a whiteboard animation for the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) Packets Up Initiative. We were tasked with creating a light-hearted informational 2D animation detailing that proper storage and use of all cleaning products is a daily practice that can help prevent accidents in the home.
JTWO Creates Animations For Frame.io Camera to Cloud Series
PROJECT DETAILS
Our VFX + Animation team recently partnered up with Frame.io to create multiple animations for their recently released 13 part series, “Camera to Cloud.” Camera to Cloud was created for filmmakers to have the fastests, easiest and most secure way to get their footage directly from the camera to their collaborators. Our team incorporated animations in the 13 part series showing breakdowns of how this is possible through Frame.io’s platform. We are thrilled to be teaming up with their team to roll out this new technology that will change the game for filmmakers everywhere.
CAMERA TO CLOUD SERIES
Client: Frame.io
This animation is from Frame.io’s 2nd episode explaining the breakdown of modems and routers.
CAMERA TO CLOUD SERIES
Client: Frame.io
This animation is from Frame.io’s 4th episode: Sound Device Uploading
CAMERA TO CLOUD SERIES
Client: Frame.io
This animation is from Frame.io’s 7th episode: Digital Dallies
JTWO Produces Commercial for Responsibility.org
PROJECT DETAILS
We recently partnered with our long-time Projects That Matter partners Responsibility.org to produce a commercial titled, “Not on Sundays.” This spot was produced for several states that currently do not prohibit liquor sales on Sundays. It can be seen on web-based platforms such as Youtube in select southern states. Responsibility.org gave our team an opportunity to be creative with the script, which in return let our crew have a lot of fun with the production in this spot. We even had the chance to have some of our Jtwo crew members make cameos in it as well!
NOT ON SUNDAYS
Client: Responsiblity.org
Our team partnered up with Responsibility.org to produce a witty commercial for several states on prohibiting liquor sales on Sundays
BEHIND THE SCENES
Jtwo creates animation for Gasalia
PROJECT DETAILS
We were tasked by Boiron USA’s branding department to create a series of animations for their product, Gasalia, the Homeopathic medicine that is made with plant-based active ingredients that relieve bloating, pressure, discomfort, and pain associated with gas. Boiron is the World Leader in Homeopathic Medicine and the largest manufacturer of homeopathic products in the world. The art style for these animations called for our team to have some fun with the concept while driving the products purpose. The entire spot was completed remotely in post production.
GASALIA
Client: Boiron USA
Our team partnered up with Boiron USA to create the animations for their social media commercials for Gasalia, a homeopathic medicine that is made with plant-based active ingredients that relieve bloating, pressure, discomfort, and pain associated with gas.
Lost Boyz Doc winner at Prairie State Film Festival
The Lost Boyz of Chicago was recently awarded “Best Film” selection in the 2020 Prairie State Film Festival. The documentary director Justin Jarrett, also received a nomination for “Best Director”. Located in DeKalb, Illinois, The Prairie State Film Festival was founded in 2011 as a multi-genre film festival offering awards in several categories, and includes one award dedicated to films made at least in part in the great state of Illinois. We are proud to to have been selected for “Best Film” for this year’s festival. Read more about The Lost Boyz of Chicago below.
About the Lost Boyz Doc
Dig Deeper
After serving a short term in prison, LaVonte Stewart, a lifelong south side resident and founder of Lost Boyz Inc., became inspired to give back to his community’s youth. Through baseball and softball training, he helps provide a safe space where he can teach leadership and life lessons to neighborhood kids. We were humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to share their stories and tell about how LaVonte and the Lost Boyz are changing the south side of Chicago for good.
BEHIND THE SCENES
With only three days of filming we made it our mission to really immerse ourselves into the south side culture and come to know the Lost Boyz family. We could not thank LaVonte and the players enough for being so vulnerable and trusting of our team with their stories.
In the Press
Credits
Client: Laureus USA
Production: JTWO
Producer: Conor Hare
Director: Justin Jarrett
DP: Maria Vattimo
AC: Aaron Preusch
Location Sound: AJ Olestad
This project was made possible through our Projects That Matter Initiative. The Projects That Matter Initiative is a Philadelphia based video production program with the mission of providing professional digital media services to Non-Profits at a discounted rate. To learn more about how your organization can join the initiative and qualify for creative content production discounts click below.
JTWO creates animation for HemCalm
PROJECT DETAILS
We were tasked by Boiron USA’s branding department to create a series of animations for their product, HemCalm, the Homeopathic Hemorrhoid Medication. Boiron is the World Leader in Homeopathic Medicine and the largest manufacturer of homeopathic products in the world. The art style for these animations was light and uplifting, complementing Boiron’s natural, homeopathic branding. The entire spot was completed remotely in post production.
HemCalm
Client: Boiron USA
Our team partnered with Boiron USA to create the animations for social media advertisements for HemCalm, a homeopathic medicine that is made with plant-based active ingredients in a paraben-free formula that soothes and moisturizes; protects against irritation; and lubricates.
JTWO produces ColdCalm commercial
PROJECT DETAILS
We recently partnered with Boiron USA to produce their latest series of commercials for their Homeopathic Cold Medicine, “ColdCalm.” Boiron is the World Leader in Homeopathic Medicine and the largest manufacturer of homeopathic products in the world.
ColdCalm
Client: Boiron USA
Our team partnered with Boiron USA to create four variant social media advertisements for ColdCalm, a homeopathic medicine for the common cold.
BEHIND THE SCENES
JTWO Collaborates with FIRE on Mighty Ira Documentary
We recently partnered with The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) to assist in the post production process for their feature length documentary, Mighty Ira. Based on the life of Ira Glasser, the former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, this film chronicles his life story and the events surrounding the ACLU when a party of Neo Nazis decided to march on Skokie, Illinois to protest the desegregation of their neighborhoods. Part of the Projects That Matter initiative, the Mighty Ira documentary raises the question: Does the first amendment of the United States constitution protect the free speech of hate groups such as Nazis? Such a complex question requires an even more complex answer, one which Ira Glasser and other ACLU members beautifully articulate throughout the length of the film. Featuring interviews from lawyers, activists, and holocaust survivors, this film is sure to inspire questions about liberty, protest, and individual rights.
Mighty Ira can be found streaming on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, and YouTube Movies and is coming soon to Blu-ray DVD.
JTWO Premieres TV Show on Discovery Channel
We recently premiered the TV Show, Life Aid: A Story of Hope on the Discovery Channel, Science Channel, and American Heroes Channel. In partnership with Al Roker Entertainment and the Life Aid Research Institute, production began before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, while the post production was completed remotely from our editors’ homes. The special follows the story of several veterans and first responders, as well as their struggles with PTSD, depression, and thoughts of suicide. Abandoned by the country for which they sacrificed so much, many of these heroes and their families felt that hope wasn’t even a possibility. But thanks to Life Aid, they now have a reason to believe in a better future. With access to neurological healthcare and many different mental health services, recovery isn’t just a dream anymore.
This project is very sentimental to our crew. In addition to being our first full length television feature, our team believed this was a story that needed to be shared. We are grateful for the opportunity to help give our service members a voice on a national stage. During production, we were able to film many incredible interviews that gave our crew new perspectives on sacrifice, pain, and the human spirit. We hope that this story will inspire you as much as it inspired us.
We were happy to premiere this special on the Discovery channel and its sister stations Science Channel and American Heroes Channel. Director Justin Jarrett states, “…growing up I always loved Discovery and early on it was actually a dream of mine to work for the network as a young filmmaker, so it’s been fun watching everything come full circle, especially on a project that I so deeply care about.”
Paco's Story
RETIRED 82ND AIRBORNE PARATROOPER
After losing numerous close friends while on tour overseas, retired Airborne Paratrooper, Paco, has struggled with PTSD and depression which has led to thoughts of suicide.
After struggling with the way medications made him feel, Paco seeks alternative methods of treatment such as Yoga and Hyberbaric treatment in order to find peace.
