Check out some of the performances from MTV's Spring Break in Las Vegas! OTE spend a couple weeks in Vegas producing packages for MTV's Spring Break. Check out a performance from Snoop Dogg:
Sunday, May 15, 2011
CJ Baran "Chasin' Me" Music Video
Have you seen us blow up CJ's car yet? If not, check it out now! This music video by Over the Edge Productions was filmed in Los Angeles on a whim and a shoestring budget. We were walking to get burritos one day and decided to do a "spy vs. spy" theme for CJ's new song... Directed by Mike Leonard with visual effects courtesy of OTE FX genius, Chris Paul.
Dream Theater Theatrical Trailer "The Spirit Carries On"
Watch the latest feature length documentary by Over the Edge productions, directed by Mike Leonard.
After 25 years, progressive rock legends, Dream Theater, are faced with the toughest decision of their career as they chose a new drummer for their band. When their original drummer, Mike Portnoy, decides to leave the band, seven of the worlds best drummers are invited to New York City to compete for this dream job. Check out the trailer now! And watch all 3 episodes on roadrunner records youtube page
After 25 years, progressive rock legends, Dream Theater, are faced with the toughest decision of their career as they chose a new drummer for their band. When their original drummer, Mike Portnoy, decides to leave the band, seven of the worlds best drummers are invited to New York City to compete for this dream job. Check out the trailer now! And watch all 3 episodes on roadrunner records youtube page
Friday, April 29, 2011
Metal Insider interviews Mike Leonard about the New Dream Theater Movie
Chances are that by now you’ve been caught up with everything going on with Dream Theater. This past week, the band debuted The Spirit Carries On, which chronicles the audition process behind the band’s search for drummer Mike Portnoy’s replacement. While we certainly felt teased and annoyed by the trailer debut last week, we’d be lying if we said we haven’t been following the web series. Hell, like most of you, we want to find out who the new drummer is, and it’s been pretty cool to get an inside look into the audition process.
So as we wait patiently for tomorrow’s third and final episode of The Spirit Carries On, we decided to catch up with the people behind the making of the documentary. Director Mike Leonard and Over The Edge Productions were brought in by Roadrunner Record’s director of video production Rick Ernst to document Dream Theater’s search for a new drummer. Leonard and crew went in not knowing what the outcome was going to be, but in the end came out with what we now have been glued to for the past week.
Leonard took the time to talk with us about how the project came to be, initial worries about the fans’ response, and what could be the future outcome of The Spirit Carries On.
We all know what’s been happening with Dream Theater regarding their search for a new drummer, but how did you and Over the Edge Productions first get involved? Who approached who first about documenting the audition process?
ML: I think I was in LA doing a music video when Rick Ernst, director of video production at Roadrunner Records, called me up and gave me the scoop on what was happening with the band. My company, Over the Edge Productions, has been doing work for Roadrunner for a while. Rick and I worked at MTV together and when he went to Roadrunner, he recruited OTE for a bunch of label work.
When we first watched the trailer and the episodes following it, we couldn’t help but feel that the documentary had a bit of a reality TV vibe. Did the band and management approach you about filming it like that, or did you pitch them on it?
ML: It was very much thrown together last minute, we went into our first day of filming knowing it would be a documentary of some kind but didn’t really know how it would all pan out. The reality TV style wasn’t our intention, but given the nature of what we were filming (7 drummers competing for 1 dream job) well, let’s face it, it automatically feels like a reality show. However, I think after most fans watched the first two episodes, they realized, it’s not that at all. Maybe docu-reality, but it’s not like we were trying to make “Dream Theater Idol” here.
Fans have been waiting for a while now to find out who Dream Theater’s new drummer. Were you afraid of there being any backlash from fans upset with how the trailer and episodes extend the suspense?
ML: Yes, this has been a huge issue that the label and the band wrestled with. The band really wanted to let people know right away, but soon after the filming was complete there was a lot of interest by television networks to air this documentary. So due to a potential broadcast deal it was delayed and so was the announcement. Regardless of that, after seeing the first few cuts of the movie, I think the band realized that this would be the best way to announce everything to the fans. They were so genuine about how much they wanted to introduce their fans to the new drummer and I know they felt terrible that they kept it from them for so long.
Out of the seven drummers that auditioned, was there one that particularly stood out to you?
ML: We filmed with Mike Mangini the night before his audition and both as a person and as a drummer, he impressed me the most. Mike is such an incredibly genuine and nice guy, just like all the members of Dream Theater. He’s also incredibly meticulous about making sure he does his part and gets all the details right. All of the drummers that we filmed with were incredibly nice and professional, but Mike really made a great impression on me. Then watching him play in real life blew me away – he’s a monster. He plays the most complicated things like they’re nothing, just incredible. I’ll never forget it.
ML: Yes, I believe there is going to be a DVD release this summer with the new album. We have talked about many different options and I have no idea what is actually going to happen, but I’m sure it will be released at some point and there’s tons of potential for bonus footage.
It all comes to an end (or at least we presume it will) tomorrow as the third and final episode of The Spirit Carries On will hit Roadrunner Records’ YouTube channel tomorrow (April 29) at 11am. In case you’ve been behind, you can still catch up and watch episode 1 and episode 2 online. You can check out other projects Over The Edge Productions are working on their website or Facebook.From metalinsider.net
http://www.metalinsider.net/interviews/exclusive-director-mike-leonard-talks-about-filming-dream-theaters-the-spirit-carries-on-documentary
So as we wait patiently for tomorrow’s third and final episode of The Spirit Carries On, we decided to catch up with the people behind the making of the documentary. Director Mike Leonard and Over The Edge Productions were brought in by Roadrunner Record’s director of video production Rick Ernst to document Dream Theater’s search for a new drummer. Leonard and crew went in not knowing what the outcome was going to be, but in the end came out with what we now have been glued to for the past week.
Leonard took the time to talk with us about how the project came to be, initial worries about the fans’ response, and what could be the future outcome of The Spirit Carries On.
We all know what’s been happening with Dream Theater regarding their search for a new drummer, but how did you and Over the Edge Productions first get involved? Who approached who first about documenting the audition process?
ML: I think I was in LA doing a music video when Rick Ernst, director of video production at Roadrunner Records, called me up and gave me the scoop on what was happening with the band. My company, Over the Edge Productions, has been doing work for Roadrunner for a while. Rick and I worked at MTV together and when he went to Roadrunner, he recruited OTE for a bunch of label work.
When we first watched the trailer and the episodes following it, we couldn’t help but feel that the documentary had a bit of a reality TV vibe. Did the band and management approach you about filming it like that, or did you pitch them on it?
ML: It was very much thrown together last minute, we went into our first day of filming knowing it would be a documentary of some kind but didn’t really know how it would all pan out. The reality TV style wasn’t our intention, but given the nature of what we were filming (7 drummers competing for 1 dream job) well, let’s face it, it automatically feels like a reality show. However, I think after most fans watched the first two episodes, they realized, it’s not that at all. Maybe docu-reality, but it’s not like we were trying to make “Dream Theater Idol” here.
Fans have been waiting for a while now to find out who Dream Theater’s new drummer. Were you afraid of there being any backlash from fans upset with how the trailer and episodes extend the suspense?
ML: Yes, this has been a huge issue that the label and the band wrestled with. The band really wanted to let people know right away, but soon after the filming was complete there was a lot of interest by television networks to air this documentary. So due to a potential broadcast deal it was delayed and so was the announcement. Regardless of that, after seeing the first few cuts of the movie, I think the band realized that this would be the best way to announce everything to the fans. They were so genuine about how much they wanted to introduce their fans to the new drummer and I know they felt terrible that they kept it from them for so long.
Out of the seven drummers that auditioned, was there one that particularly stood out to you?
ML: We filmed with Mike Mangini the night before his audition and both as a person and as a drummer, he impressed me the most. Mike is such an incredibly genuine and nice guy, just like all the members of Dream Theater. He’s also incredibly meticulous about making sure he does his part and gets all the details right. All of the drummers that we filmed with were incredibly nice and professional, but Mike really made a great impression on me. Then watching him play in real life blew me away – he’s a monster. He plays the most complicated things like they’re nothing, just incredible. I’ll never forget it.
Are there any plans to release a physical copy of this documentary, maybe along with extra footage?
ML: Yes, I believe there is going to be a DVD release this summer with the new album. We have talked about many different options and I have no idea what is actually going to happen, but I’m sure it will be released at some point and there’s tons of potential for bonus footage.
It all comes to an end (or at least we presume it will) tomorrow as the third and final episode of The Spirit Carries On will hit Roadrunner Records’ YouTube channel tomorrow (April 29) at 11am. In case you’ve been behind, you can still catch up and watch episode 1 and episode 2 online. You can check out other projects Over The Edge Productions are working on their website or Facebook.From metalinsider.net
http://www.metalinsider.net/interviews/exclusive-director-mike-leonard-talks-about-filming-dream-theaters-the-spirit-carries-on-documentary
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Dream Theater Documentary "The Spirit Carries On"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The secret is out! Today, the trailer for Dream Theater 2011: The Spirit Carries On has been released. This documentary, produced by Over the Edge Productions and directed by Mike Leonard, has been in the making for six months and will finally soon be released. When Dream Theater's drummer, Mike Portnoy, left the band, they brought in seven of the world's best drummers to audition for the gig. Over the Edge Productions was called in to document the entire process culminating with a feature length documentary that will rock your world!
The movie reveals the entire process of finding a new drummer and being blown away as the world's best play Dream Theater's toughest material. And yes, at the end, you'll get a front row seat to the band welcoming the new drummer into the family.
Over the Edge Productions is extremely proud to have had the opportunity to make a movie about this historic event. The entire movie will be released very shortly, but for now, be sure to check out the theatrical trailer on Dream Theater's facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dream-Theater/7677942180
And to see more exciting projects that Over the Edge Productions is working on, check out our website at: www.otenyc.com
Friday, February 18, 2011
"Student Bodies" Competition Reality Show for mtvU
Check out this 3 part reality show we filmed this past fall in Nebraska for MTV's college network, mtvU.
Two teams of co-eds from the University of Nebraska are in for a life-changing experience as they compete in the most extreme Student Bodies Challenge yet. Watch as they begin an intense 6 week fitness boot-camp that brings one contestant to tears, and battle it out for the ultimate prize: a trip to mtvU’s Spring Break in Las Vegas.
You can also check out all of our latest projects at www.otenyc.com
Meet Over the Edge Productions - Mike Leonard
Mike Leonard
Founder / Executive Producer
Over the Edge Productions
www.otenyc.com
Mike Leonard is the owner and founder of Over the Edge Productions, a New York based television and video production company. Mike started OTE in 2005 to merge his television career and side projects into one; little did he know, he had created a monster! Working in television for the last six years has helped Mike build Over the Edge Productions into what it is today.
Mike works with various networks, but most frequently MTV, as a producer on various reality, documentary and live entertainment programs. Other credits include director, producer, editor and director of photography for various shows and networks including Discovery, National Geographic, MTV among others.
In 2004, his passion for video and its power to do truly amazing things took Mike to Vietnam to film a promo for a non-profit operating there. Since then he created a niche for himself, and a passion, for filming in third world countries and using video to bring awareness and funding to various charities operating around the world. This work has taken him all over the world and to some of the most remote parts of Africa, Asia, South and Central America.
In addition to running OTE, Mike is a firefighter and leads a very active lifestyle. His favorite hobbies include rock & ice climbing, whitewater kayaking, snowboarding and martial arts.
Friday, January 28, 2011
A Movie for Dream Theater
In October, Over the Edge Production wrapped principle photography on a feature length documentary for the legendary band Dream Theater. The movie is directed by Mike Leonard and sponsored by Roadrunner Records. In the film, we follow the bands journey after their drummer of 25 years, Mike Portnoy, leaves the band. Now, 7 of the world's best drummers compete to be part of this legendary progressive-rock group. We are currently in postproduction with the release expected in spring 2011. In addition to a nation-wide release, the film is rumored to air on television as a 3-part mini-series (official details TBA). Dream Theater fans are dying to know who the new drummer is, but it will be worth the wait. Soon fans will be able to watch history in the making through this highly anticipated movie.
Stay tuned for more updates at www.otenyc.com or right here on our blog.
Stay tuned for more updates at www.otenyc.com or right here on our blog.
Music Video for CJ Baran
This past September, Over the Edge Productions produced a music video for CJ Baran's cover of Cee Lo Green's "F*** You." The music video is directed by Mike Leonard and can be seen here or on www.otenyc.com
Over the Edge Productions has been a leading television production company in the New York City area specializing in non-fiction and reality programming and "video for music" including music videos, live performances and various music-related video content. OTE's founder, Mike Leonard, has been a producer with MTV for the last five years taking on projects that range from reality/documentary series to live performance and entertainment specials. His work as a producer, director, editor and director of photography can also be seen on networks like Discovery, National Geographic and A&E.
Over the Edge Productions has been a leading television production company in the New York City area specializing in non-fiction and reality programming and "video for music" including music videos, live performances and various music-related video content. OTE's founder, Mike Leonard, has been a producer with MTV for the last five years taking on projects that range from reality/documentary series to live performance and entertainment specials. His work as a producer, director, editor and director of photography can also be seen on networks like Discovery, National Geographic and A&E.
Tiffany Giardina's "I'm Not Crazy" Official Music Video
Check out Tiffany Giardina's music video for "I'm Not Crazy." Produced by Over the Edge Productions www.otenyc.com and directed by Mike Leonard.
"I'm Not Crazy" Official Video
"I'm Not Crazy" Official Video
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
OTE Films Music Video for Tiffany Giardina
Over the Edge Productions recently produced a music video for Tiffany Giardina's new song "I'm Not Crazy" which is currently on Radio Disney's top 30 countdown and a featured video on radiodisney.com. The music video's director, Mike Leonard brought Tiffany Giardina's story of a high school crush to life with various scenes that contrasted real life and imagination.Mike also recently directed several music videos for CJ Baran, formerly of Push Play.
A dance team of Tiffany's peers from the Pulse Performing Arts Center in Bedford Hills, NY choreographed dance routines that were added throughout the video.
Check out the official video at www.otenyc.com
A dance team of Tiffany's peers from the Pulse Performing Arts Center in Bedford Hills, NY choreographed dance routines that were added throughout the video.
Check out the official video at www.otenyc.com
Friday, January 14, 2011
OTE Returns to Africa
Who would have ever thought that coffee could change the world? Pull an entire country's economy out of disrepair, thousands of people out of poverty and teach people to forgive those who slaughtered their loved ones in cold blood?
In May, Over the Edge Productions returned to central Africa to again visit the remote coffee plantation of Cyimbili in western Rwanda. The first trip, a year and a half prior, was with the initial scouting team that visited this place to see if it was possible to restore it to working conditions. With cameras rolling, we began a story that would change thousands of lives while the people of Cymbili saw white people again for the first time in twenty-five years.
Hope for a Thousand Hills is a documentary about the snowball effect of restoring the Cymbili coffee plantation in western Rwanda; the second largest coffee plantation in the country. It's also about the impact it has on a people and economy struggling from the reconstruction and reconciliation of the 1994 genocide that slaughtered almost a million people. It's the story of a community that is about to change the face of Rwanda by something as simple as coffee, create hope for thousands of families living in poverty, and capture the personal struggles of a people learning to forgive and work alongside the people who, not long ago, tried to exterminate them.
We rolled cameras on this trip to capture a dream coming to life as the first harvest of a now working coffee plantation was being farmed. We also explored the immediate and amazing effects of this project and it's impact the surrounding community.
In May, Over the Edge Productions returned to central Africa to again visit the remote coffee plantation of Cyimbili in western Rwanda. The first trip, a year and a half prior, was with the initial scouting team that visited this place to see if it was possible to restore it to working conditions. With cameras rolling, we began a story that would change thousands of lives while the people of Cymbili saw white people again for the first time in twenty-five years.
Hope for a Thousand Hills is a documentary about the snowball effect of restoring the Cymbili coffee plantation in western Rwanda; the second largest coffee plantation in the country. It's also about the impact it has on a people and economy struggling from the reconstruction and reconciliation of the 1994 genocide that slaughtered almost a million people. It's the story of a community that is about to change the face of Rwanda by something as simple as coffee, create hope for thousands of families living in poverty, and capture the personal struggles of a people learning to forgive and work alongside the people who, not long ago, tried to exterminate them.
We rolled cameras on this trip to capture a dream coming to life as the first harvest of a now working coffee plantation was being farmed. We also explored the immediate and amazing effects of this project and it's impact the surrounding community.
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