Archive for the ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ Category

As an art-house, the SlickforceStudio team takes a lot of pride in just about everything we produce. But every few years, a project comes along that requires unprecedented levels of attention—an all-consuming energy beast that galvanizes the team and challenges us to power-up our skills and work together to break new ground.

Ever since the release of Mastering Retouching, my inboxes have been filled with requests for a lighting tutorial. Producing five PhotoKamp workshops provided me an incredible opportunity to work side-by-side with up-and-coming photographers and learn which teaching methods stick. Aspiring artists want to know how to create the worlds that have existed only in their minds…until now.

I’m proud to announce Mastering Lighting: Volume One, available for early pre-order now and shipping in early January. Taught in classic SlickforceSystem style, we’ve combined hundreds of your questions into a revolutionary new teaching tool.

In Volume One, I’ll take you through some of my biggest shoots, completely reverse-engineering the lighting setups. I cover our most highly-requested topics, such as redirecting the sun, working with fog, balancing artificial and natural light, finding the right composition, motivating your light sources, and much more. Best of all, you’ll get to set up the shot and light right alongside me, thanks to the incredible first-person perspective experience created by our visual effects team.

And since more than half of our customers preferred the library-quality Collector’s Box Set for Mastering Retouching and Mastering Compositing (artists like awesome tangibles, go figure!)… well, we’re just going to have to top ourselves on this one. The first 250 customers that order Mastering Lighting: Volume One will received a FREE Softbox reference light toy. I’ll elaborate more as we get closer to launch, but trust me, you’ll want this one on your shelf.

I am indebted to the wonderful Slickforce team who worked so hard to make this series a reality, and a very special thanks goes out to YOU for all of the questions, feedback and support you’ve sent us over the years. You’ve helped us create a fantastic new way to learn about lighting and photography. And I can’t lie… this one was just a little too fun to make. If you don’t believe me, check out the official trailer above.

Special early pricing ends November 30, so pre-order now at MasteringLighting.com!

It’s not everyday you get to be somebody’s wish. A few months ago, Make-A-Wish called our office. They received a letter from a girl with an inspiring story—Danielle Dietrick was fighting bone cancer, and her dream was to shoot with me at SlickforceStudio. How could anyone say no to this?

Last week, Make-A-Wish flew Danielle to Los Angeles to grant her dream shoot. Danielle is as beautiful on the inside as she is out, and she is a natural on-camera. Her unlimited energy kept our crew smiling the entire day.

I couldn’t have done this without our incredible team, many of whom donated their time and services. Stunning glam was provided by makeup artist Therese Williams and hair stylist Daniel Blaylock, and our wardrobe stylist Tara Wiliams brought racks of amazing clothes. Together, the team transformed Danielle and brought out her inner star. We captured so many different looks throughout the day, each one both beautiful and fun. Special thanks to Bec & Bridge who gifted Danielle her favorite dress at the end of the shoot.

We deeply admire Danielle for her strength and positivity, and we are inspired by her courage. It is our honor to welcome her to the SlickforceStudio family. Thank to you to the wonderful volunteers at Make-A-Wish America for the great work they do, and for making so many wishes come true!

The Saglimbeni Channel takes you behind the scenes on our most exciting shoots with some of the most beautiful people on the planet. All the latest videos from SlickforceStudio, SlickforceGirl, WMB 3D: World’s Most Beautiful, The Melanie Iglesias Store, Kendall & Kylie and more are all right here. Subscribe now on YouTube and Vimeo!

Last week we announced the release of South Korean band B1A4’s new music video “Solo Day”, produced by SlickforceStudio in Los Angeles for WM Entertainment. In celebration of the first million views on YouTube, we’re releasing a behind-the-scenes video detailing the making of the international co-production.

It’s clear from the video how much fun we all had making this video, and it was a pleasure to meet so many talented artists from across the world. Special thanks to both the Korean and American crews—including the stellar SlickforceStudio team—that helped pull off the video that US Billboard is calling “the most delightful video of 2014.”

For Korean version, click here.

In May, SlickforceStudio teamed up with Korean supergroup B1A4 to produce the video for their new song, “Solo Day.” The K-pop band wanted a definitive Hollywood style for their new video, so the five members—Jinyoung, CNU, Baro, Sanduel, and Gongchan—and several key crew flew from Seoul to Los Angeles for the shoot.

B1A4’s fan-base has exploded over the last few years. As a nod to their ever-growing fanbase, we wanted to make it very clear that this was an international production. We chose some of the most iconic California locations we’ve photographed over the years. You may recognize the desert diner location from my WMB 3D: World’s Most Beautiful shoot with Mallika Sherawat and the beach just down the coast from where we shot Kendall Jenner Day One and Melanie Iglesias’ Swim Shoot.

The production of “Solo Day” was quickly etched in my memory as one of the most exciting international co-productions I have ever witnessed. We made amazing friends on this shoot, many of whom I am certain we will see again and again. I particularly enjoyed working closely with Korean director Sungkyun Yoo and his amazing creative team.

The always-stellar SlickforceStudio crew also rose to the occasion, securing locations, crew and equipment for the production in record time. Slickforce’s own wonder-woman Joyce Park and I produced the video, with support by Line Producer Kevin Savarese and Production Coordinator James Mann.

We wish B1A4 all the success in the world, and are excited to announce the release of “Solo Day.” (See it below.) We will release a behind-the-scenes video documenting the making of “Solo Day” soon. Follow my instagram at @NickSaglimbeni for more photos.

VIDEO CREDITS:
Director: SUNGKYUN YOO
Producers: NICK SAGLIMBENI & JOYCE PARK
Line Producer: KEVIN SAVARESE
Production Coordinator: JAMES MANN
VFX Supervisor: JACKY OH (Motif Imagenery)
Editor: SUN KANG
Production Designer: YOUNGSOON JUNG
Designer: HYO JUNG PARK
Director of Photography: YOU SUNG JO
Movi Operator: JUN HYUK RHEE

IMAGE CREDITS:
Photos by DANIEL MAGANA, DAVID BEDROSIAN, MAHALIYAH AYLA O

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As America gears up to celebrate Memorial Day, the SlickforceGirl team is commemorating the holiday with Special Edition content releases featuring our newest hero, Marine Melanie, played by the lovely Melanie Iglesias.

Pre-order your 24″x36″ Marine Melanie Collector’s Wall Poster before May 29, and Melanie Iglesias will autograph them—personalized to the recipient.

For the hardcore Marine Melanie fans, we’ve got a Marine Melanie SuperFan Combo Pack that contains the 24×36 wall poster, a Charcoal Gray Marine Melanie SlickforceGirl T-Shirt, a Limited Edition 11×17 care-package poster, all in one set.

A portion of profits will be donated to Hope for the Warriors, and incredible non-profit that aims to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members and families of the fallen.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday. In the coming week, we take the time to remember those who have lost their lives in the fight for freedom. You are the real heroes, and SlickforceGirl salutes you!

Part II: Melanie Iglesias continues her armory tour in search of the perfect battle companion for her SlickforceGirl Marine shoot.

Animated GIFs from these videos are now available on the SlickforceGirl Tumblr here.

Special thanks to Will Huang and Independent Studio Services. Visit SlickforceGirl.com for more info and stay tuned for more from Marine Melanie!

SlickforceGirl: Melanie Iglesias Suits Up for Action, Part 1 from Nick Saglimbeni on Vimeo.

While our first six heroes are out saving the world, Melanie Iglesias is getting ready for her SlickforceGirl shoot. She’ll be joining the fight as Marine Melanie, but before she does, she must gear up and prepare for battle.

Special thanks to our military advisor Will Huang and Independent Studio Services for letting us play in their ultimate prop shop. Visit SlickforceGirl.com for more info and stay tuned for more from Marine Melanie!

Confucius famously said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” What he failed to mention, however, was how critical the people you work with are to how much you love your job. (Nice one, Confucius.) As SlickforceStudio celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, it also marks the anniversaries of two of its’ leading ladies.

Last week, photographer and retouching wizard Joyce Park celebrated her 7th year at Slickforce. I remember the day I interviewed her, I said, “We shoot a lot of women, most of them aren’t wearing many clothes. Are you okay with that?” She giggled and nodded. The next day, SlickforceStudio made its’ smartest hire in company history. She now splits her time between Post-Production Supervisor and Associate Photographer.

In May, celebrity photographer Christian Arias begins her 6th year with us. Christian began at Slickforce as an intern, straight from Brooks Institute of Photography. She quickly moved into a paid photo assistant role, and then lead assistant. Few people have worked so closely with our lighting, so it seemed a natural move to have her start shooting. When I first asked her to shoot for our studio, Christian shyly said no. As of this post, she now has more than 25 magazine and book covers under her belt, and a bundle of celebrity clients to boot.

Between them, they’ve photographed and retouched tens of thousands of images for Hollywood’s top elite. I’ve been fortunate enough to work closely with both of them over the years, and I cannot imagine our company without them. Perhaps even more impressive than their incredible work ethics are their respective characters. They are both wonderful human beings, and it is truly an honor to work in the presence of such talented artists.

Take a look at their impressive portfolios here (Christian Arias, Joyce Park). My thanks to both ladies for choosing a home at Slickforce. You are lucky indeed, if you like the people you work with. Measuring by these two superstars, I would consider myself one of the luckiest people on earth.

PHOTO: Christian and Joyce pose with Kevin Hart at their shoot for WMB 3D. Photo by Derek Eskridge for SlickforceStudio.

The team just keeps getting stronger! In this video, travel to a remote location for a behind-the-scenes look at our SlickforceGirl shoot with the stunning Ayanna Jordan. She embraces the Indian Princess role wholeheartedly, and keeps the crew laughing along the way. My thanks to the lovely Ms. Jordan for her devotion to the SlickforceGirl campaign. Order your Limited Edition Princess Ayanna posters here. A portion of proceeds from poster sales are donated to the Breast Cancer Charities of America’s iGoPink campaign.

Photography by NICK SAGLIMBENI
Makeup by THERESE WILLIAMS
Hair by AL INGRAM
Wardrobe Styling by DIANA CHAN
Track: “Light Speed” by Peter McIsaac Music