Hello everyone. I’ve just created a new sound reel. Often producers request to see samples of my sound work. So I’ll go online, collect links and send them off. After another recent request I felt inspired to collect some recent samples of my work and cut them into a promotional video reel. Although we are all impressed with the stunning visuals, try watching them without the sound! I’ve been really excited to be doing more audio work in the past 12 months. Exciting projects have included Love in the Year 2000, The Painted Mara, f5 Lasercats, TEKsystems Thrift Shop parody and most recently A Damn Dirty Night. Next week I’m off to Roslyn Washington to record sound for Frink.

As the sound picked up I added a Tascam DR-680. My Zoom H4N is now there as a backup. I purchased the superior Rode NTG3 shotgun to my kit alongside my Rode NTG2. To me 9 foot carbon fiber boom pole I’ve added a 12 foot aluminum pole. The short one I use for indoors and the long one for out. I also purchased a windjammer and blimp for recording audio in high wind situations and a Petrol sound bag.

So this week added wireless. I pulled the trigger on the Sennheiser ew 100 ENG G3 Wireless Deluxe Kit which includes the Voice Technologies VT500 Lavalier Microphone, Electro Voice RE50/B Omni-Directional Handheld Mic and the plug in transmitter for handheld mic or transmission from a sound board.

Kleven Sound Reel 2013 from Michael Kleven on Vimeo.

This reel includes clips from Causality, f5 Lasercats, Love in the Year 2000 , The Painted Mara and TEKsystems Thrift Shop. Although I am certainly available as a production sound mixer and boom operator I am still active and working as a director, editor, cinematographer and photographer. All creative and professional inquiries are welcome!

A screenshot of my audio purchase from B and H.

Update: Feb 24- Brooks PR High School Invite Track Meet

Two weeks ago I was running camera at the Dempsey Indoor facility for the Huskey Indoor Classic. This weekend I continue the adventure for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation indoor Track and Field meet. The long shifts behind the camera are grueling. But the excitement of helping cover these talented young athletes is exhilarating. Some of the most talented in the country.

I’ve included some images from the event, taken with my iPhone 5 and edited with the Camera Awesome App from Smug Mug. Enjoy!

My new friend Scott setting up one of the additional cameras.

My professional Sony camcorder for streaming.

Some if the amazing athletes at the Dempsey. From one of the last races of the day. The Mixed Distance Relay.

Here is a link to find out more about the race. Or potentially view it live on Feb 23th. On Feb 24th I will also be helping stream the Brooks Invitational featuring some of the best High School track athletes in the Nation. Live video stream at and archives from Flotrack.

The project was set up by the folks at Northwest Audio Visual Productions out of Portland Oregon. You can like there Facebook page here. I took a few more fun photos. I have to get up early for day two on Saturday. But come back soon. They will be here.

Contact Michael Kleven if you need a camera operator, sound recordist or photographer. Mikekleven@gmail.com

I love the work I do!

Peace!

On the second day of my December journey to my parent’s home on Anchorage, I borrowed the truck and trekked South onto the windy roads which snake into the Chugach Mountains South of town. The low slung mountains, once a haven for miners seeking gold, offer wide vistas from which to capture images of the Cook Inlet, Anchorage, The Alaska Range to the North and the valleys and ridges of the Chugachs. Here is a set of HDR images from that trek. They are available to purchase and enjoy from my sister website at Photoshelter.

All photos were taken with the Canon 7D and processed in Lightroom and Photoshop. Contact me for custom cropping of the images. I am also available for weddings, portraits and events. Contact Michael Kleven at 206-307-7588

HDR image from the Chucach Mountains over Anchorage.

 

Over Anchorage – Images by Michael Kleven
 

I am really excited that McMenamins is renovating the historic Anderson School in downtown Bothell. My home town Bothell is about equal distances from Seattle, Bellevue and Everett. This will be great news for the economy and culture of Bothell and the nearby region but also for lovers of good beer and the off beat atmosphere that McMenamins is famous for. The new facility will bring a hotel, restaurant, spa, live music venue and a stage for theater and off beat films. It seems already that they are trying to reach out to the local community with a contract entitling local residents to 15 years free use of the pool and other community spaces. I’ve been to their venue in Centralia and it was truly a great time. Reminds me of the Beer Tooth Cinema in Anchorage. But maybe a whole lot more!

As a filmmaker, it would be great if there were some way that some of the spaces could be used for filmmaking. Maybe even as a production sound stage. I imagine the old gym might be perfect for something like that. That is something the film industry in the Seattle area really needs. I’ll be happy to have a place near my home, to watch a film or concert, grab a beer or a meal and hang out with friends.

For photography I can imagine the space being perfect for weddings and community events. I’ll look forward to the opportunity to document some of those events. It  will be exciting to see what comes!

Bothell: Future Home of McMenamins

Bothell and surrounding communities benefit from their nearness to the urban hubs of the Puget Sound region. On the other hand we benefit from a lovely landscape, quiet nights, nearness to Lake Washington, forests, parks, and regional recreational assets such as the Burke-Gilman and Sammamish River trails. I started my life here and began my education at local schools. I’m happy now to be producing video and practicing my craft as a photographer in the local community. I think what I like best is the opportunity to recharge after adventures in the city or in the nearby wilds.

If you need video production services for your business or corporation or photography services for your wedding or family please get in touch. Samples, references and a quick quote are always available.

Michael Kleven

206-307-7588

mikekleven@gmail.com

The sun sets over this icy Bothell Farm in the Winter of 2013.

From the McMenamins website: “The first McMenamins pub opened in 1983 in Portland, Oregon, followed two years later by the first McMenamins brewery in the same city. Now, we proudly own and operate more than 50 popular establishments throughout Oregon and Washington. Customers return to our pubs, breweries, hotels and movie theaters because they trust the quality of our food and beverages, and because they know “McMenamins” means have fun in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Children are always welcome when accompanied by their parents in our pubs, which are almost exclusively non-smoking establishments.

An appreciated signature of the McMenamin brothers is their incorporation of their love for historic buildings and artwork in many of their establishments. Several of the McMenamins’ businesses are long-storied structures honored by their inclusion on the National Historic Register. Each pub, whether historic or not, displays outstanding paintings on ceilings, doors and walls, as well as offering other visual surprises.”

Historic School converted to regional entertainment venue in 2014.

Links:

McMenamins press-room-home

Seattletimes.com -McMenamins

City of Bothell-McMenamins

Woodinville Patch-McMenamins

I’m on the plane preparing to depart Ted Stevens Airport in Anchorage for my flight home to Seattle. Anchorage is a hotbed for film and culture. Or is at least well on it’s way. The folks in the Alaska film office are really friendly. I registered with them as a director, sound and camera guy. Sometimes in helps to have parents on Alaska. But heck, I sure miss them most of the year. I’m hoping my networking efforts will lead to work in the growing production industry in Alaska and throughout the Pacific Northwest.

I also enjoyed the lively theater in Anchorage. In particular off Broadway hit “Freud’s Last Session” at Cyreno‘s Off Center Playhouse in Downtown Anchorage. Me, my brother Wayne and niece Carmie all took in a day of  skiing at the municipal ski area “Hilltop”. The slopes were mostly gentle which suited us just fine. It was the first time on a lift for Wayne and Carmie and my first time since 1985. At the end of the day we were all swooshing down the slopes like pros.

I really enjoyed the photo ops in the Chugiak Mountains near my parent’s home, at Hatcher Pass and on the frozen lakes. Hopefully I will have some more of those to share with you here soon.

As always Alaska, you offer so much and always leave me wanting more.

The friendly Eskimo prepares to fly me to my home.

Me, my brother Wayne and niece Carmie, having an excellent time at Hilltop Ski Area.

With warm December temperatures, these ducks decided to hang out at Reflection Lake in Anchorage.

I took this photo looking South from the Chugiak Mountains above Anchorage

Hello friends. I’m trying out this new WordPress App on my new iPhone 5. I’m hoping that this makes it easier to blog while I am out and about, which is most of the time.

This is my brother Wayne Kleven at his office. He works as a manager at a Native owned fuel supply company, Northstar Gas.He’s been doing a great job helping keep costs down and quality supplies available year round. I’m so glad to see him doing something he enjoys.

This is my nephew Joren goofing around on Christmas Day. He’s a great kid and I love him a lot.

I pulled off the side of the road in Palmer Alaska to take in some of the amazing scenery. The Alaskan sun in December stays near the horizon all day long. This makes for some dramatic light and photo imaging opportunities.

This post is a test of both the WordPress iPhone App and the iPhone 5 photos on the blog. As you may know I work professionally with the Canon 7D and other higher end cameras. But since I’m on vacation now I will be interested in looking at these results. Hope you enjoy. Happy 2013! Let me know if you need wedding or portrait photography, or video services for business or production camera or sound services for film?

Michael-Peter Kleven (filmmaker and photographer)

mikekleven@gmail.com

Hockey goal on Reflection Lake in Anchorage, in front of my parents home, Dec 2012. 

Hello friends. As I write this I am happily tucked into my parents cozy home in Anchorage Alaska. I was just up in the Chugiak Mountains near here taking in the lovely views of  tiny Downtown Anchorage  in the distance and the surrounding Cook Inlet. I hope to have some photos to share with you from this trip soon.

But the reason I’m writing today is about the upcoming free filmmaking and editing course at creativeLIVE. I’ve thrown my hat into the ring  for the opportunity to be an in-studio student  for the course  January 14th, 15th and 16th 2013. The course will be taught by Jeff Medford and Ross Hockrow. Based on there popular CineStories trainings, the focus will be on narrative storytelling for live events and commercials. The course will stream free online. Please view and like my submission video and join me for this exciting course on the 14th.

I’ve enjoyed a number of the courses put on by creativeLIVE in the last several years. In particular the opportunity to be a student of Gale Tattersall, Lesa Snider and Skip Cohen. They provide an amazing service to the community of media content creators. You might enjoy this recent podcast from the folks at This Week in Photography where talk with creativeLIVE co-founder Chase Jarvis about the history and future of creativeLIVE.

The Art of Filmmaking and Editing Course webpage

CineStories Website

Look for Kleven Creative Services to become more involved in Wedding and Event filmmaking and Commercial projects.

This past November I had the opportunity to hang out with my Aunt Becky and Uncle Bobby Struve down in Monterey County. We hung around the beach for awhile in Carmel and took some photos with my Grandma Betty. After lunch at the Baja Cantina and Grill on Carmel Valley Road, we headed up Laureles Grade towards Salinas. There is something very special about this rough land which combining elements of the old West with the rugged and rocky coast. I can see why so many are attracted to the land that nurtured the author  John Steinbeck. Here are a few of the images from our trip to Carmel California. Contact me at at mikekleven@gmail.com to schedule your wedding or portrait session. Be sure to “like” my business page on Facebook: <a href=”http://www.facebook.com/KlevenCreative?ref=hl” target=”_blank”>Kleven Creative Services</a>for updates on my projects and services in photography, video production and filmmaking. Let me know if you need the images printed at higher resolution. I am more then happy to comply!

We say goodbye to the day, hello to night. 

A Day in Carmel Califonia – Images by Michael Kleven

Looking South a rugged Western fence.

Looking towards the Southwest about 5:30 on November 24th, 2012.

I am a Canon 7D shooter which serves my needs in both stills and motion capture for my professional projects. The last few months has seen a bunch of new cameras hit the market. Some designed for stills photography, some for cinematography and a few capable of professional results with both. For my part I am sticking with the tool that still works, which I know well and with which I have developed my craft. But I can see that new options. Eventually a new camera will sell me on what it offers creatively and professionally for me and my clients. Here is one potential candidate:

This new stills camera promises to push the envelope in professional camera development in the coming years. From Canonrumers.com and Fstoppers.com comes the announcement of a new 46 megapixel camera from Canon;

“While CanonRumors does stress that these are just rumors, it also adds that the camera will feature extremely improved ISO performance and that the sensor will include a new technology that will be more or less groundbreaking“, “[setting] the stage for sensor development over the next 2-3 years.”

Will Canon’s Big Megapixel Camera Be the EOS-1S? | Fstoppers.

Poster for the short film “Reunion 2062″

This is a fun project I put together with the help of a classmate Leslie Stark for our 30th reunion. It tells the story of the last living member of our class in the year 2062. It was a fun film to make and went along well with the idea that we grow as artists by maintaining several active personal projects. The reunion was a big success. Friday we met for a mixer at Fairhaven’s Big Fat Fish Company  right after Seattle Seahawks victory over Kanses City. Emotions were high. It was fun as we attempted to reconnect these mature faces with the people we recalled from our youth. It is literally true that we become cooler people the older we get. We become more self assured and comfortable with ourselves. But don’t tell a teenager that. It was great to find that old friends had become even more charming with time. Some of the old stories were pretty funny. I’m glad I’ve grown up.

That next day we met out at Camp Firwood for a family picnic. I got to experience my first attempt at Paddle Boarding along the lovely shores of South Lake Whatcom. That evening we gathered for the main event at the Silver Reef Casino on the Lummi Indian Reservation near Ferndale. Smooth talking musician Dave Klander acted as MC and Garret Smith the Comic Fireman provided the jokes. Next came the short film I’d made for the reunion; “Reunion 2062″. As with any debut the filmmaker is nervous. Perhaps more so when it is for a room filled with old friends. I think they liked it, laughing at the right places and being generous with their praise. The food served by Silver Reef Casino was delicious and the staff helpful with technical issues. The 80′s cover music band Blind Fate was super fun. It all got really crazy when Kevin Mellon took the mic and everyone including myself started dancing.

Here is the short film I made for the reunion. Hopefully it will inspire you to do something fun and creative for your next school, church, family, corporate or similar social event or gathering.

Reunion 2062 from Michael Kleven on Vimeo.

This was a project I put together with Leslie Stark for our 30th reunion. I wanted the film to be fun and funny.  We planned to make it with resources that we had on hand. Luckily we are both performers, have degree in film production and motion graphics and thank goodness have production gear on hand.

Thanks to reunion organizer Val Vogel Lee for her support and to our friends and classmates at BHS. You can find out more about our professional media work on our websites:
Kleven Creative Services: http://www.michaelkleven.com
Bella Luna Studio: http://www.bellalunastudio.net/