A long long time ago, in the woods not so far from Al’s house, a dog fell off a log and made the four kids who witnessed this event laugh hard. In what they believed was a brilliant idea to win “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” these kids purchased their first camera in hopes to capture a similar event in the future. These four kids quickly began shooting short skits and movies, while developing a love for video production. They decided to name their new production company in tribute to the dog who first gave them the need to buy a camera. That dog’s name? Kirby.

Years later, in 2007, after graduating from college, one of those kid’s decided to make Kirby Productions into a real video production studio. Al Liptak, started Kirby Productions, shooting weddings, music videos, and corporate videos for friends and family, and creating short horror movies which were his passion. A few years later, Al entered a commercial contest for TommyCar Auto. Al and his team (which included Kim and Ryan) won the contest, which won them a new car! Instead of taking the car, Al took the money and invested it into purchasing video gear that would allow Kirby Productions to shoot videos for even more clients.

Through the years Kirby Productions produced videos for IBM, The Elks National Foundation, Vanderbilt University, Cambridge Entrepreneurship Academy, and on and on and on… It wasn’t til Al (with his passion for horror movies) linked up with Jeremie LaPointe of DementedFX Haunted House to create their first TV Spot that Kirby Productions really evolved into the Creative Agency we are today. After producing that spot, Jeremie saw the creativity and drive inside Al and Kirby Productions and soon hired Kirby Productions to be DementedFX’s entire marketing and creative department. It is here that we learned how to create a Creative Marketing plan for all aspects of advertising. We created video ads for tv, social media, and youtube. We created graphics for billboards, flyers, newspapers, and google ads. We even created advertisements for broadcast radio, streaming music services, and internet podcasts. Since then we have taken DementedFX to the next level, creating full video and sound design to their immersive in-line lobby experience and throughout the haunted house.

We now have taken this experience running a full marketing/creative department with a seasonal client, to help our clients all over the globe. While video production is still our passion, Kirby Productions will create, develop, and implement an innovative and professional marketing plan in every shape and size.

OUR TEAM

Al Liptak | Senior Pixel Composer

After graduating from The New England Insitute of Art with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media and Video Production, Al had his hand in a wide array of video production jobs including manning a robo-cam for ESPN during the 2004 World Series and assisting on Lucky McKee’s film “The Women” which premiered at Sundance.

Al currently is our head producer here at Kirby Productions, but he is known to get his hands dirty in every aspect of what we do. Writing, Shooting, Editing, Designing, Al oversees it all.

FUN FACT: Al is currently in two bands and over the years he has played music in dive bars, tiki joints, roadhouses, and concert venues in over 40 states across the country!

Favorite Movie Director: George Romero/Edgar Wright

Ryan Vella | Editor / assistant

Ryan first joined the Kirby team on an internship while attending Fitchburg State University for Film. After graduating, Ryan started working as our assistant editor and production assistant on all our shoots. While Ryan now works full-time at a local tv station, he still lends a hand at editing when needed and is always willing to help out on set whenever we call!

FUN FACT: Ryan was the voice of “Papa Bear” in Kirby Productions’ first award-winning commercial for TommyCar Auto.

Favorite Movie Director: James Gunn

Kimberly Hatch | Producer / Photographer / Gaffer

Following years of formal training, Kim began her professional life as a photojournalist with film camera in hand. It was a fast-paced, crash course in capturing the perfect moment. Being limited to all manual features, a set ISO, and 36 images (38 if I wound the film just right) brought her photography to new levels.

Kim’s eye for detail and perfectionist attitude pushes us all at Kirby Productions to make sure our clients receive the best possible end product.

FUN FACT: Kim sews and crafts her own Halloween costumes.

Favorite Movie Director: Guillermo del Toro/Tim Burton

nick oski | Director of Photography / Editor

Nick Oski is a graduate with a B.A. in Communications/Film, and has seven+ years of experience independently creating, writing, producing, and scoring audio and visual productions.

Nick’s cinematic eye and creative ideas lend to the emotion in every frame of video created at Kirby Productions. Nick has the ability to use light and frame to capture the perfect images to enhance the story.

FUN FACT: Nick also has his own production studio, Super Moon Studios in which he has written/produced/directed several award-winning/nominated short-film productions.

Favorite Movie Director: Stanley Kubrick/Christopher Nolan

Zach chechile | Camera Op / Assistant

Zach Chechile has had a love and passion for filmmaking all his life. Over the course of his career, Chechile has worked as a PA on various commercials and directed numerous short films. In the late summer of 2016, Zach was a cinematographer for the vampire drama Blood/Lust.

FUN FACT: Zach is the co-owner of Super Moon Studios with Nick Oski!

Favorite Movie Director: David Lynch

Buster brown | DOG

After graduating from Dog Obedience school, Buster joined the Kirby Productions team and quickly became a favorite of all our clients who stop by the studio. A lover of cardboard boxes, tennis balls, and anything flavored with chicken, Buster never stops working hard to make sure we all stay in good spirits, even if he’s just laying in that one sliver of the sun shining in the window all day.

FUN FACT: Buster can balance up to ten dog treats on his nose without dropping them.

Favorite Movie Director: Mel Brooks