QUALITY FILMMAKING
Please stay awhile and watch samples of our work. We believe pictures are worth a thousand words. You be the judge.
BEHIND THE SCENES
This is a gallery of photos that shows the capabilities of Duck Up. Production crew, sets, films, celebrities.
EXPERIENCE AND TALENT COUNTS
The Back Up
The following people are the founders and backbone of Duck Up. They make up the creative, management and marketing team that understands the old paradigm, yet are in tune with the new one. Their goal is to make quality commercials, films and documentaries that are creative, entertaining and commercially appealing to a global audience. They are positioned to take advantage of the growing web, independent film and cable markets. The door stands wide open for a whole new way of filmmaking and marketing, and Duck Up plans to walk right through it.
JOE HILL
JAY TORMOHLEN
Founder, Writer, Director
Jay grew up in the Northwest, but has lived and worked around the globe much of his life. His need to be in the industry started when working with BBC as a Peace Corps volunteer establishing and producing daily educational programming in the Indian Ocean area, for which he received recognition from UNICEF and the US Senate. Several of his screenplays have placed or have been finalists in competitions including the Nichol Fellowship, Slamdance, Scriptapalooza, American Accolades Screenwriting Awards, to mention a few. He honed his writing craft while making a living writing articles for national magazines, commercials, marketing materials, and web site content. He is a seasoned marketing and creative professional in graphic design and illustration, web design, management and sales training, and photography for which he's won national, state and city awards and contests. He has founded, operated and sold several successful companies in the U.S. and abroad, including a web design company that received Portland Chamber's Top Ten Growth Award. His clients have included Fortune 500 corporations such as Monsanto, British Airways, Verizon and AT&T; federal and state government agencies; and national associations and non-profit organizations.
GOT OUR DUCKS IN A ROW
The Back Up
The following people's participation and support is generated from an overall philosophical commonality. They include young, innovative, energetic filmmakers as well as seasoned professionals (seeking a better life outside Los Angeles). Every one has extensive expertise and experience in producing independent ROI-driven films and their combined list of credits goes on for pages (go to imdb.com for details). These individuals have paid their dues in both the studio system as well as with in-the-trenches independent films where they have experienced the stretching of the production dollar as well as overcoming the challenges of self-distribution and marketing.
Mark Hughes: Location Manager, Casting Director, Producer
Mark began his film career working on STAND BY ME and CRY FOR THE STRANGERS casting extras. He then was locations manager on a laundry list of feature movies such as HOMER AND EDDIE, BREAKING IN AND THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY, as well as for several TV movies. He also was casting director for national commercials and television. Energetic, personable, and trusted in the industry, his vast business, entrepreneurial, and production experience resulted in a successful track record in sales, training development and facilitating, and coordination of multiple tasks. He designed and presented location scouting clinics for the Oregon Film Commission; created a computerized database of film production services that inspired similar industry databases; facilitated public meetings to educate the public about film production & obtain consensus; and developed and presented workshops throughout Oregon on how to promote film production.
Janet Martinez: Executive Producer, Creative Partner
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Janet produced movies for Lifetime Television (IDENTITY THEFT: THE MICHELLE BROWN STORY and VIDEO VOYEUR: THE SUSAN WILSON STORY) and worked on series television and reality programming. VOYEUR went to Washington along with U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La) and was instrumental in changing federal legislation and garnered one of the highest ratings in Lifetime' history. She developed and worked on projects for ABC, NBC, CBS and Bravo and worked closely with actors such as Angie Harmon (LAW AND ORDER), Annabella Sciorra (THE SOPRANOS), Jamey Sheridan (ICE STORM and SYRIANA), and Kimberly Williams-Paisley (ACCORDING TO JIM and FATHER OF THE BRIDE). She has also worked exclusively with writers in the Writer' Guild of America (WGA). Janet began her career in Public and Media Relations handling news and multi-million dollar events. Janet also studied at the American Conservatory Theater (ACT) in San Francisco and Lee Strasberg Theatre.
Kelley Baker: Director, Writer, Producer, Sound Design
Kelley was the sound designer on six of Gus Van Sant' feature films including, MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO, GOOD WILL HUNTING, and FINDING FORRESTER. He designed the sound on Todd Haynes feature film, FAR FROM HEAVEN, with Dennis Quaid and Julianne Moore. He was the picture editor and sound designer on Will Vinton's THE ADVENTURE' OF MARK TWAIN, and MEET THE RAISINS for CBS. He's also written and directed three full-length features, KICKING BIRD, THE GAS CAFE and BIRDDOG. He has directed commercials, corporate and educational videos. His clients have included NIKE, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Department of Juvenile Justice, Howard University, Mercedes Benz/Freightliner Trucks, and Wells Fargo Bank. He attended the University of Southern California, receiving degrees in Film Production, and did post graduate work at the American Film Institute. Kelley' films have aired on PBS, The Learning Channel, and Canadian and Australian television and shown at Film Festivals in London, Sydney, Annecy and Edinburgh, Chicago, Sundance, Mill Valley and Cinequest/San Jose. Kelley currently tours colleges and film festivals throughout the United States lecturing on his books: THE ANGRY FILMMAKER SURVIVAL GUIDE: MAKING THE EXTREME LOW-BUDGET FILM and SOUND CONVERSATIONS WITH (un)SOUND PEOPLE.
Christopher Toyne: Producer, Actor, Voice, Casting
Emmy Award winner, Christopher is an actor, producer and multi-cam director, with wide experience in many disciplines of media production. He is the fourth generation of an established British theatrical family including Sir Gerald du Maurier, Daphne du Maurier and Diana Beaumont. Having become a J. Arthur Rank contract child actor, he trained and worked as an actor in London during his youth. Returning to performing and narrating in 2008, he is represented by Damon Jones’ Actors In Action agency, Marcia Bell’s Mod Media Talent in LA and NY and by In Both Ears for voice work. He has achieved a number of credits in the Oregon market, including over a 100 hours of completed voice acting for PBS, NPT, OPB, Microsoft, Adobe, Nike, Intel and numerous others. His second love is music programming. He received an 2010 EMMY® nomination for Outstanding Entertainment Special/Live, producing Gershwin at One Symphony Place. He received a 2008 EMMY® for Outstanding Event/Live, producing Gala Opening: One Symphony Place, both in Nashville for PBS and as live Hi-Def broadcasts worldwide.
Robert Rolsky: Producer, Director, Production Manager
"Bob" began his film career in 1979 as an assistant director and over a period of ten short years he worked his way up the ladder to production manager, learning the ins and outs of film production. Bob got his taste for low budget films while working as a production manager or line producer on over 20 made for television movies and 11 episodic television shows. Bob has worked on low budget television movies such as MANEATER and SIS to a multimillion dollar feature film called MIDDLE MEN. As a result, Bob has developed an innate skill of stretching the dollars to give the best value on the screen. His astute ability to stay in budget has earned him respect within the industry as noted with his long running employment on PARKER LEWIS with over a dozen episodes, Wilshire Court Productions with over 12 made for television movies for the USA Network and unit production manager on over 60 episodes of THE GUARDIAN for CBS. He has also produced two series for cable television including HEARTLAND for TNT and SEX, LOVE AND SECRETS for UPN. No one is better prepared to make the tough decisions when it comes to delivering the quality of a $30 million movie for a mere $3 million.
Jenna Buescher-Hill: Animator, Graphic Designer, Photographer
As a graphic designer, Jenna has a passion for the creative, including photography, motion graphics and videography. She began artistan studies in Minneapolis and graduated from Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland. She won a Telly Award for Best Collegiate Production on the Robert Miribal Performance. With her husband, Joe Hill, she helped found AllStyle Productions, an event & corporate videography company and is responsible for all web, graphic design, still photography, marketing and client relations.
John King: Account Executive, Producer, Photographer
John's media career started as a process camera operator and photo lab technician for the state of Georgia. Three years later, he became a photo journalist for the US Navy. After that, he was a counselor and photography teacher for the YMCA Challenge Program for teens in criminal confinement until he pursued a career of sales and marketing a course. In 2004 he became a producer with Portland community media producing series and documentaries. He was also co-producer and director of Citywide Talent search of eleven Portland high-schools called Teen Scene that utilized the entire Memorial Coliseum complex and proved what a wonderful and talented city Portland Oregon is. He's currently the media outreach rep on the board of directors of the Miracles Club of Portland, a clean and sober club developing a multi-million dollar residential housing complex and social club in Northeast Portland.
WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
The ClientsBelow is the short list of clients through the years:
International and National
adidas
AT&T (formerly Pacific Bell)
British Airways/Air Mauritius
City Search
DEX Media (formerly US West Dex)
IDC-CH2M
MacKay & Sposito, Inc.
Monsanto
Nike
Nissan Corporation
R H Donnelley Corporation
Verizon (formerly GTE Corp)
YellowPages.com
Association of Washington Cities (AWC)
The Kudos
Here are some client comments over the years regarding videography, writing, graphics and web design:
adidas, US Digital Marketing, Basketball
The video was VERY well received by everyone, including Dick’s Sporting Goods. It looks like they are going for it in a big way. Nice job again!
adidas, Global Communications Manager
You're a rock star. Coming thru again and again. So grateful to have you on our team. Video is perfect.
Association of Washington Cities, Director
I really, really want to tell you how much we appreciate your thoughtfulness and just how nice you treat us!
Sockeye Creative, Executive Producer
Thanks. Episode 5 looks fantastic. We loved the angle that you got at the PR event. Great work.
Jonathan Togo, Starring Actor/CSI Miami
Just wanted to say thank you for taking such good care of me while I was in Portland, and thanks also for allowing me to participate in such a beautiful, fun project. You guys rule!
adidias, Digital Marketing, Football, Baseball
You do amazing work, thank YOU.
MacKay & Sposito, Inc., Principal & Vice President, Business Development
Amazing incredible video! I am thrilled. Again... AWESOME
Nutter Foundation, President
Thank you! Wow. You guys do great work!
Monsanto Company, Sales Manager
I've heard back from several members of the I,T&O team and all agree that you did a "great job".
adidias, Basketball
This is money. Nice work!
IDC/CH2M Hill, Marketing Coordinator
Terrific work! It's absolutely wonderful. National says it's the best web site in the country.
British Airways, Mauritius Sales Manager
Thanks for making our program so special.
adidas, Art Buyer, Brand Design and Events
Perfect!
Dex Media, Operations Supervisor
I've found both your attitude and work to be above average.
City Search/Filmmaker Network, Vice President
Thanks a lot for the videos. They were excellent. Definitely the best I've seen in a very long time. Keep up the great work.
OMPA, Executive Director
Great casting! Funny story. Good jokes, subtle but not too. Nice clean production.
Pacific Bell (now AT&T), Marketing Desk Manager
Your combination of imaginative design, copy sense, and practical technical skills makes you our first choice.
Verizon, Division Manager
Your work continues to be high quality and we value you as a reliable supplier.
R H Donnelley, Sales Manager
I've been consistently impressed with the professional quality and the apparent imagination you offer.
Oxis Research, Div. Oxis Health Products, Product Development
Thank you for all your hard and excellent work.
AllStar Entertainment, Owner
WOW and thank you! That's all I can say… WOW and thank you! WOW
Peace Corps Director
See… they (US Senate) do pay attention to work of quality.
U. S. House of Representatives
We commend you for the fine ideas you portrayed in your work.
Ron Osborne, Actor, Comedian, Host
Sweet!!! Jesus, I'm so happy! You guys are good. You and your crew are very professional, creative and accommodating. Not to mention friendly and lots of fun to work with.
Marc Yaffee, Stand Up Comedian
Great job! I'll recommend you to everyone.
HFO, Senior Director of Marketing
The OMPA online newsletter IS THE BOMB!!! Great graphics and interface. A++++
American Accolades
Well written, intelligent, lush descriptions and well-developed, accurately depicted characters, deals with interesting issues of culture/identity and family dynamics.
Scriptapalooza, President
Your dialogue is very Woody Allen-esque. Having handed out fewer than a dozen in my career, I can confidently say that this script is a "recommend."
Cynthia Whitcomb, Screenwriter (25+ Screenplays Produced)
RE: Sci-Fi script: Amazing world you've created. I love the simulacrums. Eden is fabulous, heaven's gates just wonderful.
Patricia Healy, Entertainment Attorney
Beautifully, beautifully written. Your characters are very real. A talented writer.
Bill Johnson, Author
I've been impressed with your ability to take critique, rewrite and polish scripts, then take them to a higher level. Your scripts aren't typical
Hollywood, so for many readers they are a breath of fresh air. You really understand how to get deep into the raw feelings where relationships breathe and live or suffocate and die.
David Ciminello, Screenwriter, Actor ("Dress Code" directed by Shirley McClaine, and "The Barber" episode for Sienfeld)
I look forward to working with you again. You are a talented writer.
The Awards
For Videos:
2008 Northwest Film Festival, documentary cinematography
2001 Telly Award, Robert Miribal Performances, best collegiate production
Angeliciti Film Festival, featured film
For Feature Screenplays:
2011 Page International Awards, finalist
2007 Indie Gathering ,1st, 2nd & 4th place
Writer's on the Storm, finalist
The Writers Place, finalist
Filmmaker's International Screenwriting Awards, finalist
Slamdance, finalist
WildSound, finalist
2006 Nicholl Fellowships, Top 15%
Scriptapalooza, finalist
American Accolades, finalist
Page International Awards, finalist
Expo 5, finalist
Red Inkworks Screenwriter's Competition, finalist
Writer's Place, finalist
NEWS
Expanding More in 2013
California, here we come!
We are excited and optimistic about the prospects for 2013. Jay Tormohlen has moved to Los Angeles to coordinate Duck Up's efforts there. Joe Hill will remain in Washington to run operations in Oregon and Washington. In 2012, affiliate partner, Mark Hughes also established and now manages a presence in the Bay Area.
Lucky Hog - October 2012
A short film about a man and his vintage Harley
In October, Duck Up wrapped production on another short film, entitled "Lucky Hog." We assembled a great professional crew and actors for the two-day shoot. It was shot on an Arri Alexa digital camera. The film's been submitted to several film festivals around the country and overseas. Check out our Lucky Hog website (click here) for more information about the film and behind the scenes photos. We will also post how it's doing in festivals with dates and locations where you can go see it.
Derrick Rose Documentary - 2012
Following D Rose during his recovery
As many of you know, basketball superstar Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls went down with a season ending ACL injury to his knee. adidas' idea was simple and yet unprecedented. Give fans access to Derrick's road to recovery and his eventual return to the court. We flew to Chicago to document his physical therapy sessions at the Bull's Berto Center. Our exclusive footage appears in six episodes now playing on the adidas YouTube channel. Not only can fans share Derrick's mental and physical challenges to recovery, they also get a peek into his day to day life. Joe Hill is Second Unit Director on the project.
Katy Perry Commercial - May 2012
Behind the scenes for adidas commercial with Katie Perry in Santa Barbara.
Joe recently got the envious opportunity to work with mega pop star Katy Perry on an adidas commercial shoot. It is part of the "adidas Is All In" campaign for a 2012 release with all their big name athletes and entertainers. You'll see Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Snoop Dogg, and of course, Katy. We've been filming Behind the Scenes for each one of the segments of the commercial and will be putting together an exclusive BTS video in the upcoming months.
A Busy Year - 2012
Out of town more than home.
Its been a very busy year for Duck Up thus far. Joe Hill and Jay Tormohlen had many exciting experiences thus far and met a lot of new people and gotten to hang with some of our old friends as well. We started off the year in San Antonio filming this years top college recruits at the Army All American Game and getting their reaction to the adidas adizero line of football cleats. We met and filmed Barry Sanders Jr and Cordell Broadus, son of adidas originals rapper Snoop Dogg. Next it was off to Santa Barbara to film behind the scenes on the adidas We all Run Katy Perry commercial. Needless to say meeting and filming Katy Perry was a thrill. In February it was time for the annual trip to NBA All-Star, this time in Orlando, home of adidas' own Dwight Howard. adidas rolled out the red carpet this year and had all sorts of amazing events going on including the lifetime signing of Derrick Rose to adidas and topped off by hosting an originals party for Dwight. Joe was on stage filming numerous rappers like B.O.B, Fabulous, and DMC from Run D.M.C. In March adidas Football announced the signing of Robert Griffin III and we were on our way to Phoenix to film RG3 among other NFL draft prospects training at the Athlete Performance Institute and preparing for the NFL Draft that was held in April. We also made a quick trip and stop up in Flagstaff to film some of adidas' running athletes talking about the Marathon 10. Dicks Sporting Goods, one of adidas' big outlets wasted no time getting RG3 involved and at the end of March it was off to Waco, Texas at Baylor University to do Behind the Scenes for a DSG commercial promoting the new adizero sonic training shoe. RG3 is very fun to work with and very bright, a natural in front of the camera. April was all about the launch of the adidas basketball shoe Crazy Light 2 and a media event in Los Angeles were We filmed some product review interviews with sportscaster Gus Johnson and Robbie Fuller, Designer of the shoe. In May we got word of a big project involving Derrick Rose that we can't discuss at this time but Joe's made 3 trips since May back to Chicago getting some exclusive footage with Rose. This month we've filmed three more adidas athletes including Ricky Rubio's visit to the adidas village in Portland as well as a trip down south to Atlanta for more BTS on another Dick's Sporting Goods commercial. This was quite the shoot. adidas and Dick Sporting Goods only had 3 days to shoot 2 commercials. One starred Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks and the other Soccer Star Brek Shea from FC Dallas. There is much more in store for us in the upcoming months so stay tuned for more exciting news and be sure to check out the Gallery for some samples of our work.
Short Film starring Jonathan Togo and Darcy Miller - April 2012
Primary photography has been completed for the short dark comedy "Lily" which was written by and starred Darcy Miller, with male lead role played by Jonathan Togo, of CSI Miami fame. This short, about a young woman who does the unexpected at the wake of her deceased boyfriend, was produced by Jay Tormohlen and directed by James Westby. Check here soon for updates on progress and screenings.
Robert Griffin III - January 2012
adidas signs RG3 and we were there!
Our photography and video of Robert Griffin III was recently featured on the adidas homepage after they successfully signed him. We spent several days at the API East Bay NFL Combine in Scottsdale, AZ filming RG3. Our video has over 800,000 views on Youtube so far. The video can be viewed under our Gallery Video Samples.
Mayors of Washington State - May 2012
World wind tour
2500 miles, 3 weeks, 19 cities, 62 interviews of Mayors and officials of Washington state for the Association of Washington Cities (AWC). Yeah, Jay, Joe, Keaton of Duck Up traveled with Mitch Netzer and Michelle Harvey of AWC pretty much circled the state of Washington, driving to get where we needed to be when we weren't filming. Crazy. Rained the whole time too. Thought Eastern WA would be sunny compared to Vancouver, but there was sideways rain and wind. And the mayors had plenty to say.
AllStar gig - February 2012
2012 NBA AllStar Game in Orlando
We were shooting at the 2012 NBA AllStar Game in Orlando capturing all the adidas events throughout the week. Highlights included Jam Session and Derrick Rose signing a lifetime contract with adidas. At Dwight Howard's adidas party, we were on stage filming some of the biggest names in the Hip Hop industry, including B.O.B, Fabolous, and DMC from Run DMC. Check out our "The Stuff" page for photos from the events.
adidas is all in - 2012
Looks like adidas will keep DUP even busier this year.
adidas has been a big part of our continued success and growth. We started out the year working on viral videos for the Football Department including the Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio this January. Other projects are Internet commercials starring NFL players CJ Spiller and Eric Berry. The videos introduced the adiZero Scorch and 5-Star cleats. Other projects were for the Strength and Conditioning Department producing, shooting and editing videos for the new adiPure Trainer.
Our biggest projects, however, were for the Basketball Department. Shooting the All-Star Weekend and adidas' annual SuperShoot allowed us to work with two of our favorite athletes Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose. The year was topped off with the opportunity to edit the adidas The Bull commercial Behind the Scenes video starring Derrick. The video is featured on adidas basketball's youtube channel and has over 100,000 views. An upcoming commercial also starring Derrick will give us the opportunity to travel all over the world.
Mob Diaries - 2011
We started out in 2010 producing a trailer which has just been released.
The project, for a crime series or feature, was developed by founders Jay and Joe in collaboration with Christopher Serrone, the Young Henry Hill star of GoodFellas. Christopher plays the part of Mickey, a low level thug who chronicles his daily life of mayhem and vengeance. We are currently seeking funding for that project.
View trailer on our sample videos page.
SourceOregon Articles - December 2011
Articles for the premiere issue of SourceOregon.
This year SourceOregon publishes in magazine format, with editorial highlighting a selection of Oregon's best qualities. Look for the print edition in early April. Copies are free to OMPA members and any one hiring in state. Jay wrote two articles for the publication, one about Oregon Talent, the other covers the Video Game industry and it's major players.
Management and Organization
Duck Up is a group of driven creative individuals seasoned in the entertainment industry, business and marketing. We can take on any project from concept to finished product and everything in between.
To do this, we draw upon relationships with some of the best names in the entertainment industry as Affiliate Partners who fill important roles on an as-needed basis.
This creates a core creative team that brings talent, successful entrepreneurial experience and education in all areas of television, motion picture film and video production; and just as importantly, social media, web, graphics, distribution and marketing expertise.
Mission
To provide products and services that consistently satisfy our clients' needs and exceed their expectations.
TALK TO US - We're probably near you!
The Contact Info:
E-mail: joe@duckupproductions.com
Washington (Seattle/Vancouver): 360.910.7211
Oregon (Portland): 503.701.7926
California (Los Angeles): 310.946.9828
California (San Francisco/Bay Area): 415.858.9900
Our latest film:
"Lucky Hog"
Choices are Dicey
A short film about a man, the Harley that has been in his family for years and the tough choices we are dealt.
Click on the picture to visit the Lucky Hog website.
