Our Story
Our Story. It’s True.
Let’s face it. This is our website. It is no place to be modest. So we’re going to be brutally honest. (Just like our work)
We at Out of the Blue Productions make really good films, videos, commercials, web assets and more. And we’ve been at it for over 20 years. (So we must like it). Our niche is healthcare, though we’ve done plenty of work in other industries.
We have been told repeatedly that we are not only a pleasure to work with, but we also work harder than almost anyone, to finish projects on time and within budget. And without compromising creative integrity, we might add. Many of our films have been nationally recognized (link to awards)
Now, in terms of what we do, it’s everything from original concept to post production. If you are our client, we begin by listening very closely to you. Asking many questions. And we like to get food in. Good food. Then, while we are all eating, we like to explore deeply some of the real stories of real people that are directly related to your business, service, or product. Compelling stories that deserve to be told.
You see, storytelling has always been at the core of our work and its success. Whether actual testimonial or a dramatic piece (link 4). It keeps our work honest, fresh and exciting.
Over the years, we've created countless short and long-format productions that entertain, persuade, inform and invite comment (link to press releases) long after the last image has faded.
Our clients keep coming back to Out of the Blue. We believe it’s not only because they trust our talent, and respect our ability to get things done quickly, smoothly and within budget but also because they really like the food.
the story behind our storyteller.
Ron Cohen, Director
Favorite Movie- Braveheart
Favorite Diner Food- Braised short ribs
Ron Cohen grew up in the film and video business. He started with location sound, camera, and editing before settling into his first real passion, directing. After years at Shooters in Philadelphia he started OOTB in 1993. His flair for impactful storytelling has insured a steady loyal client base.
Ron has worked for agencies, pharma companies and healthcare systems, both regional and national. While consistently balancing the practical with the creative, Ron considers all logistical demands along the way, to deliver award winning films, shows, commercials and videos (link 2) with powerful and entertaining messages.
He is a natural when it comes to storytelling. He has the uncanny ability to see life and film from every angle. You can see how Ron connects with people of all ages and walks of life. Ron can put anyone at ease, on camera or off. But he’s not just a people person. When it comes to technological breakthroughs and medical machinery, he really gets it. This makes him as varied as his clients.
From heart wrenching stories to in your face, hi tech show pieces, Ron brings his unquenchable thirst for an honest, fresh approach to each and every project.
what produces a producer.
Vikki Smith, Executive Producer
Favorite Movie- “All about my Mother”
Favorite Pastimes- Hanging out with my kid, and creating a “favorites” folder of places to go on vacation.
Vikki's varied professional life has taken her all over the country, from Field Producer, to Agency Producer and finally to Executive Producer at Out of the Blue Productions.
She is the quintessential personification of the left and right brain working in concert to compliment each other. You will find a rare combination of incredible efficiency and astute creativity in Vikki. She gets into the client’s head and stays on task to make sure the story being told remains focused. She approaches every job, no matter how big or small with equal dedication.
While meeting budgetary requirements and deadlines, Vikki consistently contributes to the creative process with a professional proximity necessary for a successful result, insuring all the client's needs and objectives are being met from the initial meetings through to the finished product. Vikki considers it her job to make every client feel like they are her number one priority.
As a mother who runs to swim meets, soccer and basketball games, whenever possible, Vikki brings a perspective and multi-tasking vigor to every production. When you work with her, you can feel your stress level go down as your production values go up.
our facile facilitator.
Bridget Kinnon
Favorite Movie- “Amelie”
Favorite Band from the 80s- Duran Duran
When you call OOTB, the pleasant voice that greets you is Bridget.
As production coordinator, she picks up the phone and picks up the slack. She found her home at OOTB after working as production assistant on several feature length films, and TV series in everything from wardrobe to camera. Her calm efficiency is invaluable to any production. There are no loose ends with Bridget around. We don’t know what we would do without her.
who pieces it all together
Dexter Gresh
Favorite Movie- “Pulp Fiction”
Favorite Food- Cookies
There is no substitute for 25 years experience when it comes to editing. Dexter Gresh, an Emmy award winning editor, has cut everything from reality shows to long format documentaries. As one of the first editors to bring the AVID system to Philadelphia, Dexter has remained on the cutting (no pun intended) edge of technology through out his years in the business. Since he also directs, he brings not only the seasoned eye of a veteran, but a highly developed creative sensibility, to every production at OOTB.
Stories | Portfoloio
Living on the Edge: Struggling with Bipolar Disorder
Cadient Group /AstraZeneca
Trailer for award winning documentary on Bipolar Disorder
A year in the making, this program took the OOTB team on its own roller coaster ride of emotions tracking 6 people living with bipolar disorder.
Playing the role of storyteller, filmmaker, confidant and Production Company is quite a balancing act and, well, what we do best. Raw and emotional, Living on the Edge captures the essence of bipolar disorder and its sometimes devastating impact on the family. Deeply exploring the hallmarks of bipolar disorder, the mood swings, the aggressive behavior, heightened sexuality, and addictions, this film never holds back, helping the audience gain insight into this often baffling disease. While sometimes difficult to watch, Living On the Edge is truly authentic and informative.
Results: Eye opening experience for viewers on the real burden of mental illness. A huge bank of incomparable assets of real patients and their families for our clients. And oh yeah… several national and international awards, including the Cine Gold Eagle, Gold In Awe, Gold Aurora Award, The Communicator Award of Distinction, and a Bronze in the Summit International Awards.
Susan Lubking
Temple Lung Center
One liner-: 30 TV spot offers hope to patients with emphysema
After years of meeting families and patients with severe lung disease, we are still amazed by the miracle and hope given to these patients and their families by Temple Hospital. But there was something really special about Susan Lubking. Susan’s unique ability to articulate the feeling of desperation when her Mom Christine was diagnosed with emphysema to the offer of hope given to her by Temple Hospital makes this spot a success. Capturing the simple joy of Mom and her new grandbaby together resonates with all audiences.
RESULT- “Made the Phone Ring” more phone calls to the Lung Center and test results showing greater retention of Temple Lung Center as the best in the area.
Ralph Predmore
Temple University Health System
: 30 TV Ralph: We meet ‘em, love ‘em, let them tell their story (honestly)
Ralph is a real character, and we love him. Initial interviews assured us that he would be great for TV. Our day on the pig farm in the Pocono’s will live in production infamy. (You would never know it was hotter than hell.) The lipstick cam on the tractor ride helps to reinforce that Ralph was back on his farm…. living his life. Everyone loves the authenticity of this spot, and Ralph’s honest way of telling his story from being sick to the miracle of a heart transplant at Temple Hospital. (When you meet us … don’t forget to ask about the pigs.)
Ethan Show
Cadient Group /AstraZeneca
Dramatic multi-screen trade show movie
*** “A MUST SEE” If you only see one clip this visit make it “The Ethan Show”
A labor of love. A tour de force. Great script, amazing performances, exceptional cinematography, an agency that wants to push the envelope, ecstatic clients, our heart and soul. All elements come together in “Ethan’s Story”. This award winning film is an unflinching look at one man’s struggle with bipolar mania. It is a compelling account of the dramatic effects it has on his family and job, and his journey to recovery through a drug which helps manage bipolar disorder. Designed for trade shows, the program, shot in high Def 24p, was shown in an immersive theater setting with multiple 84” gas plasma screens and 5.1 Surround Sound.
Result: Long lines for the theater experience…and the sales rep ability to start the conversation on the show floor. After a successful run at multiple trade shows, it was edited to a singe screen program and repurposed for more intimate screenings. Awards included a Gold Aster Award, Silver Philly Gold, Silver Davey Award and a Bronze In Awe.
Imagine
NDRI
Who is NDRI?
Our Job: Making real science real interesting. Telling the NDRI story. Get donors to contribute both human tissue and funding. Featuring some of the nation’s top medical researchers, “Imagine” is a behind the scenes look at the “middleman in research” and how they put actual human tissue specimens into the hands of the scientists. NDRI has developed a new model for researchers searching for medical cures and answers.
Results: Client thrilled that we made such a difficult topic so accessible and interesting. A good way to inform and raise money.
Good Start with Seroquel
AstraZeneca
Not your everyday Lunch and Learn
Designed for prescribers to help manage their patient’s treatment plans. Working closely with the agency our goal was to create a “lunch and learn” that would talk to doctors, not at doctors. As seen through the eyes of the patients, this dramatic video series addresses the bipolar patient’s struggle with adherence and adverse reactions. Not just a talking head, this two part series features diversity in patient’s job, environments and compelling characters, that keep it interesting and informative.
Results: Sales reps “loved it”. We were told that of all the sales materials offered them, this one “flew off the shelves.”
Medical Passion
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Fox Chase TV spot to introduce their new doctors
What a great opportunity…meeting some of the nation’s “Top Docs” (and most recent Fox Chase hires) and tapping into their hot buttons. “Why did you come to Fox Chase” lead to an insightful spot about the doctors and this top level cancer center. For a couple of medical groupies, it was a treat sitting down with these guys and finding out what is happening in cancer treatment today. We developed some great angles at the hospital and heroic shots for these nationally known medical professionals. From the mouths of doctors, 30 seconds leaves the viewer feeling in good hands.
Result- Clients very happy, generated a lot of calls to the hospital and the docs loved it too.
Patient Stories APA
AstraZeneca
Trade Show video grabber
We poured through hours of real patient transcripts to craft a series of realistic portrayals of folks with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and their frustrated family members. Presented in a “streetscape” in the trade show booth, these videos were shown in vertical format on the gas plasma screens. The show featured some tremendous and convincing performances reenacting various degrees of disease state, with key “tells” of how these mentally ill patients would act. The engaging characters call out to you as you walk along the trade show aisle, relating their stories of dealing with these mental illnesses.
RESULT: These show stopping dramatic portrayals of actual mental health patients’ stories made trade show attendees take a break and take notice. Not always an easy task on the sprawling trade show floor.
Taylor’s Video Guide to Clinical Nursing Skills
Lippincott Wilkins and Wilcott
Nurse Education Reality Show
A nursing instructional video series with a reality TV show feel. Really. It was quite the challenge… and we didn’t know which was harder, getting 15 minutes of final content shot per day, or making talk of bowel impaction, well, entertaining. We managed to do both and create an instructional series unlike any other. The series follows an ensemble of likable and believable nursing students as they interact with a variety of memorable patients (a retired dancer, a grizzled mechanic) while they learn complicated and technical nursing skills (injections, hygiene, catheters). (Produced in conjunction with Shooters Inc.)
RESULT: This groundbreaking series is one of LWW’s most popular video series. Ever.
Pulmicortrespules.com
Pulimcort Respules
Pulmicortrespules.com website
When you’re a parent of asthmatic children, you can never get enough information. Here’s an interactive Web experience that breathed new life into an existing topic through expert and parent testimonials. Realistic scripts and some very “genuine” folks to play the parts. Short scenarios helped underscore common questions, parents would have on this topic. This interactive experience was all delivered in an informal, conversational manner.
Result- National awards and recognition among many web and healthcare groups.
Rhinocourtaqua.com
Rhinocort
Rhinocortaqua.com website hostess intro
Mix a fun perky actress playing the role of home gardener with a garden filled with allergens. It’s a great combination to get people to come into your website and keep them there. There were unique challenges of shooting green plants in a chromakey setting, but combining live action and animated/graphic content has become a specialty of ours. We were able to keep the script fun and lively, helping to make this web greeting memorable.
Results- National awards and greater time on the website… the response to this engaging web presence was nothing to sneeze at.
Our Clients
Our ability to listen and deliver what you need has kept our clients coming back over and over. In many cases, a single project has led to long-term relationships.
partial list
Healthcare Clients
Astra Zeneca
Cadient Group
CSL Behring
Dorland Sweeney Jones
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Fox Chase Cancer Center Partners
The Hal Lewis Group
Holy Redeemer Health System
Johnson & Johnson
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Merck & Company
NDRI
Ortho Diagnostics
Pinnacle Health Communications
Sterling Diagnostics
Temple University Health System
Wyeth-Ayerst
Other Clients
American Red Cross
Campbell Soup Company
Comcast
DuPont
Harris Baio McCullough
Henkel Corporation
KIA
Kmart
Mattel
New Jersey State Aquarium
SMG Sports Museum of America
Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Tyco International