David Laba, Technical Adminstrator, Turner Production With Turner's Axess equipment.

According to Larry Kamm, Coordinating Director for Turner Sports, Axess has given Turner Production an excellent reputation for superior graphic looks. The ability to combine still images with sound-designed moving images all from the same source, while maintaining Turner Production's creative linear trademark, enabled the production team to surpass all others. Turner Production is currently developing Axess applications for use during this summer's 1998 Goodwill Games in New York.

Turner Production's Film and Video Unit also was busy gathering Atlanta's freelance community and equipment suppliers to produce a Public Service Announcement for Whole World Theatre in mid December. The fast-paced :30 spot, titled, "It's Comedy", was created to raise awareness of the non-profit improvisational theatre group. During the spot a camera travels down blocks of Spring Street in midtown Atlanta, pausing at Whole World Theatre, where Theatre Director David Webster invites the viewer to "Come on in." The camera then moves into the cafe area of the theatre and finally into the theatre for a glimpse of comedy. Jack Frost, Producer, explains that the spot tries to convey the point that the performances are genuinely funny. Director Kevin Powley worked with Webster to coordinate the intricate camera movements and the blocking of extras. The shot began on an insert car with Director of Photography and Steadicam Operator Rafael Ortiz-Guzman sitting on the front platform. Ortiz-Guzman stepped off the car when it arrived at the Theatre, and moved to a traditional steadicam shot in the cafe filled with 40 extras. The camera then moved through the crowd and focused on the performance. The crew of extras were managed by the Turner Film and Video Unit's management team of Gwen Tedford and Karen Goeckel. Turner Production employees included: Gaffer Mike Kenny, Sound Recordists Mardy Beeson and Gerald Henderson, Editors Allen Hercules and Jim Reaves, Sound Designer Jimmy Guthrie, Jack Frost IV, and Designer Art Roche.

Many equipment vendors donated their time and equipment: Feature Systems- lighting, grip, and generators; PC&E- insert car; Cine Photo Tech- Arri 535; Kodak- film stock; Cinevision- processing and transfer; MMI- walkie-talkies; Michael Satrazemis' Motion Picture Effects- generator; Wes Benton's Color Bar Productions- steadicam; and Bobby Earnhart- generator. Freelancers involved in the project included: Amy Chasin, Stephanie Ryan, John Lamb, Matt Horgan, Michael Seel, Rodney Barron, Anjanette Lavette, Brandon Ross, Vanessa Abreu, Dawn Kenny, Bret Lanius, Todd Bickerstaff, Mike Smith, Chris Sorel, Steve Zeigler, Rick Crank, Jim Haviland, Mike Pilcher, Kevin Hamm, John Stevens, Mark Woodhouse, Fran Burst, Tiffany Pound, Cindy Hill, Rachael Renfroe, Sherri Carlton, Angela Flagg, Kevin Johnson, Jennings Kilgore, Palmer Norwood, and Christie Oliver.

Turner Production Effects appointed Terri Longfellow as Creative Director. In her new position, Longfellow will be directing a staff of 12 artists and animators as well as designing and serving as Executive Producer on special projects. Several staff positions in design and effects at Edit Express, Post Effects, and Editel gave Longfellow much experience. For the past four years she had been an independent Director and Designer of graphics, effects, and animation for companies in the United States and Canada. William Chapman, Vice President of Turner Production Effects notes that Longfellow will be a great asset to the creative groups working at Turner Entertainment.

Kathy Gray will be Turner Production's new Project Manager. Most recently Gray served as Project Manager of CNN Post Production. Gray brings nearly 20 years of technical and operational experience to the Turner Production management team.