"Hard Place" A Synergy Media Production's film

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Celebrity Stylist, Jay Johnson’s magical touch graces the cover of French Rouge Magazine!

 

Celebrity Stylist, Jay Johnson’s magical touch graces the cover of French Rouge Magazine!

http://www.jayjohnsonstylingco.com/

What We Do & Who We Are

Synergy Media, S3M, is a full service film production and public relations firm. The duel functionality that S3M offers ensure that the filmmaker’s vision travels further and faster to the greatest number of people possible. A marketing and PR campaign is meticulously planned to mirror the development, preproduction, production and postproduction phases of the film-making process.

The landscape in which digital cinema is being produced and distributed has changed dramatically in the last decade. The Internets flexibility, accountability and it’s growing influences in the lives of the consumer are a major consideration in the films communication plan. Planning the launch and lifetime marketing of a film increases it’s production value.

S3M recognized the complexity of the story telling system and the need to provide quality content every step along the way. The S3M marketing team consists of strategists, negotiators, publishers, photographers, graphic artists, sales reps, writers, editors and many more specialist who move the project through the industry system and into the consumer system.

A film’s communication plan and subsequent marketing strategy reflects the diversity of the global film industry in terms of approach and execution depending upon territory and end consumer. Conventional film marketing practices are utilized but are supplemented by innovative online/viral campaigns. This structured approach builds momentum and creates the greatest possible impact.

Specialties

• Film development-From script to executive summery
• Pre production- Above & below the line
• Production-Light! Camera! Action!
• Post-production-Editing, Scoring, Synchronization & Time Code
• Secure corporate sponsorship
• Negotiated cast & crew contracts
• Organize film festival submissions
• Project & program planning
• Niche marketing & audience identification and measurement
• Maintaining media contacts & placement
• SEO
• Press releases, pitch letter & op-ed/byline articles

A journey to Buddha Eyes

When You Journey Homeward

Rocky Mountain News

January 2009

-Joan Hinkemeyer

When You Journeyed Homeward

By Cynthia Kennedy. Eolus Press

Initially, this appears to be just another mountaineering book about people obsessed with bagging the world's highest peaks. But Kennedy has made it into something more. With brutal honesty, she examines the ego-driven personalities, divisiveness and blatant disregard for the environment and human life among mountain climbers.

Those elements nearly destroy her and her marriage when her husband, Jerry, returns from Kathmandu with hands and feet so badly frostbitten he may lose them. Juggling her own health problems and a full-time job as a lawyer, Kennedy also assumes the role of nurse to her husband, cleaning and bathing Jerry's damaged feet daily and being the target for his anger and irascible demands.

Final word: Kennedy's polished, insightful prose will make her story resonate with other caregivers while also removing the romance of death-defying mountaineering.

When You Journeyed Homeward

Journey Homeward
Author pens book on mountaineer husband’s travels

By Pam Mellskog
Colorado Hometown News Group 10/15/08

His feet still weep with open wounds 17 years after frostbite crept deep into all 10 of his toes on a face of Mount Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world.

The medical crisis forced Jerry Kennedy down at about 21,000 feet, an elevation heartbreakingly close to the 26,906 peak of this mountain that rises on the Nepal/Tibet border just west of Mount Everest.

Now, Cho Oyu means something beyond its technically intriguing rock-and-snow faces and beautiful Tibetan name, which translates as “Turquoise Goddess.”

But it took writing a book for Cynthia T. Kennedy, Jerry’s wife, to decode the meaning of her husband’s summit attempt and resulting toe amputations — a condition that, due to a stubborn bone infection, still requires daily bandaging, she said.

For this reason, “When You Journeyed Homeward,” her 166-page work self-published this year, might be aptly subtitled, “ Perspectives from a Mountaineer’s Wife.”

In it, the Lafayette attorney and award-winning playwright makes a case for how to wait well when a partner adventures and the mountain becomes a potential third party to the marriage.

“We’ve known a lot of people who lost their marriages over mountain climbing. I think that is because you feel that the person’s dream is in competition with your marriage,” she said.

The toughest times came after the Cho Oyu climb that ended his arduous high-altitude mountaineering days, she said.

“I got asked a lot, ‘Why did you let him do this?’ as if any of us have that kind of control over each other,” Cynthia Kennedy, 55, said. “The analogy is close to people who (have a loved one) gone to war, because whether they’re there by choice or not, you have no control. That’s what you’ve got to get comfortable with.”

To this end, journaling helped, as did subscribing more and more to that hippie phrase, “Go with the flow,” she said.

In the 1980s, during her husband’s most active mountaineering days, that was easier said than done.

When he boarded the airplane, a weeks-long silence ensued.

Today, cell phones bridge the gap between climbers on mountains and family waiting at home.

Such technology allowed New Zealand expedition guide Rob Hall in 1996 to make a radio call to base camp. Climbers there used a satellite telephone to patch him through to his wife in New Zealand to say “goodbye” from near the peak of Mount Everest mere hours before he knew he would die of exposure.

Gary Neptune, owner of Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, married a German climber he met at a base camp in the Himalayas. Very often, the couple climbed together, which erased the dynamic experienced by one who goes and one who stays, he said.

However, he remembers the communication blackout of yesteryear that likely strained many relationships.

“Back then, you had to communicate by telegram. Even the telephone darn near didn’t work,” he said.

But telegrams wired from Nepal to the United States introduced a whole other margin of error as messages often arrived stateside with the meaning mangled by the language barrier between the sender and the locals, Neptune said.

“They weren’t very good English speakers,” he said of the telegram office clerks in Katmandu.

Talking about adventures and misadventures face-to-face could be just as bewildering, according to Cynthia Kennedy.

Much of her journey in the book revolves around demystifying her husband’s trek up Cho Oyu.

“I learned he did have an Achilles heel,” she said. “Something about his own pride had something to do with his situation. And I had to follow him up that mountain before I truly understood that personality trait.”

Following him up the mountain, in this case, meant allowing him to tell the story in his own time and hoping that the telling would bring healing.

To this end, she waited with him at home after the accident as much as she did when wanderlust took him away before it happened.

Cynthia Kennedy bathed and bandaged his disfigured feet. She weathered his frustration and depression.

Mostly, she learned not take a disappointed man’s pain personally and to develop a richer inner-life, she said.

Learning the lessons of a mountaineer’s wife in the wake of hardship took time.

Cynthia Kennedy spent 10 years intermittently drafting this dialogue-rich book full of familiar Boulder County scenes along with takes of yaks, avalanches and Sherpas from the top-of-the-world.

Ultimately, it also took courage.
She noted that few men want their most humbling moments put on a press.

“But I had to be able to do this, like he had to be able to climb,” she said.

'Hard Place' In The Press

Millburn grads come together for 'Hard Place'
Directed by Henry Winnik
Produced by Sophie Lily Weinstein
Bliss Holloway -Director of Photography

Thursday, February 18, 2010


BY ANDREA HUGHES
The Item of Millburn and Short Hills
OF THE ITEM


In high school, it would have seemed the only thing Sophie Lily Weinstein and Henry Winnik had in common was the first letter of their last names. Students were grouped into homerooms by last name when they attended Millburn High School, from which they both graduated in 2003, but the students didn't talk much when they shared one.


Years later, they have teamed up to work on a short independent film together.


The film, "Hard Place," will be shot between Feb. 19 and 21 near Lake Hopatcong. Weinstein, founder and president of the New York City based film production and public relations firm Synergy Media Productions, is producing the film, which Winnik is directing.


"The film plays upon common horror conventions, but doesn't just give in to them," said Winnik. "Elements of the archetypal siege-thriller and the archetypes of 80s slasher films are fused to create a new and exciting film experience."


The plot follows a group of friends threatened by an unseen shooter. Jordan, the only woman in the film, is "an unexpected fighter," said Weinstein. "Her downfall is that she's not decisive. She has a fatal flaw, like in a Greek tragedy."

Weinstein said she tries to cross-promote as much as she can. She said it was remarkable that five Millburn graduates who did not know each other very well are banding together and not giving up on film in a tough economy.


"In order to come together, we all had to mature," she said.


Winnik attended FAMU Film School in Prague as well as Trinity College, where he created a closed circuit television station for the school. He spent the past August working as a unit production assistant on the feature film "Eat, Pray, Love" and in the spring of 2008 was a locations assistant on the VH1 reality show "I Want to Work for Diddy." Winnik also interned with Off-The-Top-Rope, Inc., on "The Wrestler," the award-winning feature film directed by Darren Aronofsky.


Weinstein's career in public relations began in high school, where she developed marketing and publicity campaigns for local businesses. She attended Pennsylvania State University and majored in public relations and journalism, and is now doing publicity for "Hard Place" as well as several other films.

Much of Weinstrein's interest in producing film traces back to an affinity for entertainment law, she explained. She served as Legal Affairs Director at Pennsylvania State, a member of the Student Government General Assembly and Student Government Association Senator. In 2008, she was a marketing and publicity intern with Palm Springs International Film Festival.


She said the current project is a niche-market film, but easy to style. "It came together so organically," Weintstein said.


E-mail: hughes@northjersey.com

Hard Place Cast & Crew Hosts Hoptatcong Mayor!

Hoptatcong, NJ Mayor, Sylvia Petillo will be joining the cast&crew of Hard Place, Sunday, February 21st at 12:30p.m.

Synergy Media Productions Teams Up with Indie Filmmaker, Henry Winnik

Indie filmmaker, Henry Winnik in conjunction with film production & public relations firm Synergy Media Pruductions will shoot their latest project, Hard Place, near Lake Hopatcong, NJ February 19th-21st.

“The film plays upon common horror conventions, but doesn’t just give in to them,” said Hard Place director Henry Winnik. “It is a unique situation for the characters. Elements of the archetypal siege-style thriller and the archetypes 80’s slasher films are fused to create a new and exciting film experienced.”

Hard Place, a dramatic thriller about a group of friends who are threatened by a professional and unseen force. The film, written and directed by Winnik and produced by Weinstein will be shot over three days.

“When a script like Hard Place lands in your inbox you can’t help but get excited. It is a modern Greek tragedy boiling with suspense!” said Synergy Media Productions, founder Ms. Weinstein. “I can’t wait to see it come to life on film.”


For more information and media inquiries please contact Sophie Lily Weinstein at info@synergymedia-productions.com


ABOUT HENRY WINNIK
Henry Winnik(producer/director) began his career in cinema at the famed FAMU Film School in Prague. Upon returning to the U.S. he attended Trinity College where he created a closed circuit TV station for the school and wrote and directed his first short film, Diner Party at the End of the World.
After graduating with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Religion, Henry worked on the independent feature film Banshee!! Followed by the 2008 award winning film, The Wrestler; reality television show, I Want to Work for Diddy; the independent feature film, A little Help in 2009 and Eat Pray Love directed by Ryan Murphy.

Thank You

Hey Everyone,


I wanted to thank all of you for your support! Starting S3M has been a dream of mine, and to have had it realized is such a gift. Starting a business in this economy is no easy feat, but it is possible. I could not have come this far if it were not for M. Anthony Librizzi, who is the genius behind the scenes! Synergy Media, S3M, would not have the rock solid foundation that it has if it weren’t for the hundreds (I’m not kidding!) of hours of work he has put into my firm. I am so thankful that I get to have such strong players backing me.

I am proud to say that Millburn’s very own Robyn Freizer has officially joined the team as my lead stylist. Robyn’s ability to distill the trends, and reinvent the classics, singles her out, not just as talented, but truly original. We are lucky to have her!

On February 19th, Hard Place, written and directed by Henry Winnik, is set to begin production. Lending their sound to the film’s soundtrack is progressive rock pop band INK! whose lead guitarist, Christian Colabelli is also a Millburn High School Graduate. Rounding out the band are the sweet vocals of Joel Monet, Mike Mentz on rhythm guitar, Walton McMurry on drums, and Jeff Frazier hitting the ivories. For updates on the film, and the latest S3M news and info check out the blog or right here on FB.

A new generation of talent-from actors to artist to fashion mavericks are blazing their way to superstardom, whom I am proud to represent as both a publicist and as a producer!

Indeed it is not a dream, but a lifestyle!

Hard Place

Hard Place, written and directed by Henry Winnik is a dramatic pressure cooker thriller where survival depends on difficult and potential lethal choices. Synergy Media Prpduction presents this decsent into terror as an unseen lethal force is picking off old friends one-by-one.

The danger is everywhere, and the method is professional!

Auditions for Hard Place

Auditions for Hard Place, written & directed by Henry Winnik will take place Sunday, February 7th, 11a.m.-5p.m. at Shelter Studios & Theaters Inc. Please e-mail Sophie Lily Weinstein your headshot and resume at http://www.synergymedia-productions.com/

The 4th Annual Texas Black Film Festival Announce Official Selections

Directed by Jay Rodriguez
Itchy House Films
Produced by Jeff Cuccinello & Sophie Lily Weinstein 

ASBURY PARK, NJ, JANUARY 13, 2010:
Change, directed by Jay Rodriguez, has been accepted into the 4th annual Texas Black Film Festival, TBFF. The film was shot in Asbury Park & Neptune, New Jersey, in late October ‘09. Jay Rodriguez, Jeff Cucciniello and Sophie Lily Weinstein produced the film in collaboration with Gruntled Entertainment.


“From conception to film festival, Change has been an incredible experience”, said Sophie Lily Weinstein “When I first read the script I was immediately drawn in. The characters experience true change and growth which Jay skillfully captured on film.”


The short film written by Sean Ryan and Jay Rodriguez is a dramatic narrative about two inner city teens that battle the realities of poverty, drug addiction and the perpetual threat of violence while navigating the conflicting pull of their consciences.


Willie Roach, R&B artist and design genius behind Sole Creators and Jersey Stand Up, made a special guest appearance in the film. Roach outfitted the cast with custom jackets made exclusively for the project, which are available to the public by special order.


The Texas Black Film Festival will host three (3) full days of entertaining and insightful films, workshops, and events. The family friendly festival inspired by the African-American experience, provides filmmakers from around the world an opportunity to reach audiences, which are seldom seen through major theatrical release. The films, divided into four categories, features, shorts, documentaries, and animation with be screened in 2 hour blocks. Tickets can be purchased at the festival website. http://www.texasblackfilmfestival.com


ABOUT JAY RODRIGUEZ


Jay Rodriguez Jr., award winning director/producer/ cinematographer, is a self-taught filmmaker. Jay opened his production company, Itchy House Films, in 2005. That same year, he won Best Comedy Cinematographer for his work in “Brain Storm” at the annual Movie Making Madness Short Film Competition. In June of ‘09 Jay’s work as Director of Photography on the short film, “Visiting” which received top billing as an Official Selection at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in Palm Springs, CA.

ABOUT JEFF CUCCINELLO


Jeff Cucciniello is the owner and operator of JEVCO Studios. His music productions & mixes have been featured in award winning dance competitions throughout the East Coast. Jeff's portfolio includes DJ mixes, original electronic and hip-hop music productions, commercials, and short films.

Synergy Media Productions
Film Productions and Public Relations