TRUTV's series S.W.A.T. USA is an up-close, inside look at the high-stakes world of special weapons and tactics teams across the country. From strategy and planning to heart-pounding deployment - it's a truly unique and exciting look at the best in law enforcement. Witness never-before-seen specialized tactics, tricks and training, as well as the camaraderie that bonds every man and woman on the force. From gathering intelligence to executing high-risk plans, West Coast MEDiA was there to capture the action in Detroit's highest crime areas for this TRUTV series.
A unique set of challenges faced the West Coast MEDiA crew during a location shoot in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
In a remote secret location, various automotive manufacturers use an abandon Air Force air strip that has been converted to a deep winter testing site for vehicles. We were shooting drivetrain testing for a London based media company.
Our production van served as a warm viewing area for the clients, with outside temperatures well below freezing. To protect the camera we used a special thermal housing that included several internal pockets which held chemical warming packs.
The skilled drivers of these vehicles reminded us of "Top-Gun" style test pilots.
As part of a series of hour long programs devoted to musicians who have become legends in their field, Yamaha Corporation and West Coast MEDiA visited Buddy DeFranco in Whitefish Montana. During his career buddy has recorded over 150 albums and is the most recorded modern jazz clarinetist since the Swing Era. In 1998 he received a Grammy nomination as best jazz instrumental soloist. This program is the third out of five to be produced by Yamaha at West Coast MEDiA.
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Above) Buddy DeFranco is pictured with interviewer Molly Murphy from PBS radio on the left and Yamaha Artist Relations Manager John Wittmann on the right.
Left) Molly continues to learn more about Buddy's career standing on a small bridge surrounded by the spectacular scenery of Montana
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Built over 125 years ago, The Grand Hotel on Michigan's Mackinac Island is a true site to behold. Our West Coast MEDiA production team was hired to shoot updated scenes and interviews for the hotel's image video by a Chicago area marketing company. This island is unique because there are no motorized vehicles allowed. All our equipment had to be shuttled by horse drawn carts.
Publishers Clearing House has given away several $10,000.00 checks to lucky PCH entrants. West Coast MEDiA, was on hand to capture several of the check presentations for use in various national television commercials.
Complete with champagne, balloons and local TV coverage, winners were surprised and thrilled by the attention and of course the big check! PCH went to great lengths to make sure each check presentation was a total surprise. 
AMAZING VACATION HOMESIf you're a fan of the Travel Channel, you've probably seen the series Amazing Vacation Homes. There is a new format that includes a wonderful new host, Didiayre who has a background in design and architecture and can now also be seen on ABC's hit TV show "Extreme Home Make-Over". Didi will take viewers on a interesting tour of the surrounding area before visiting the vacation home.
We have been fortunate to shoot three homes for this unique television series. The producers in California were so pleased with our work that they chose to feature a home we shot as the first to appear in the new season. Watch for the "Chameleon House", pictured below on Amazing Vacation Homes!
VIRTUAL FLAMESEnjoy the beauty of real flames without the hassle of hauling wood, the aggravating mess of cleaning ashes, or the nasty smell of smoke.
This Virtual Flames DVD is great for parties, romantic evenings and perfect for any RV with a TV! There are three unique scenes; Colonial Fireplace, Rustic Campfire and a Beach BonFire as the sun sets over the waves! When a scene is chosen, it plays continuously for endless hours of enjoyment. We are very pleased that several LosAngeles producers have licensed our DVD for use in their productions.
Virtual Flames is sold on Amazon.com and on it's own website virtualflames.com Order your copy today!
On January 27, 1997 a group of about sixty-five family members and friends were present at launch complex 34 at Cape Canaveral Florida. They were there to remember the three astronauts that lost their lives in a tragic fire inside their capsule exactly thirty years ago. West Coast MEDiA, Inc. was the only media allowed to record the event. Under the direction of Michael Knape, the ceremonies are to be part of a video documentary on the life of Roger B. Chaffee. This program does not go into details about the tragedy but rather focuses on the accomplishments of Roger. Little known facts, like his U2 flights over Cuba, were instrumental during that tense period in the early nineteen sixties. He was regarded as one of the best U2 pilots around, and was personally decorated by both Presidents Kennedy and Johnson for his courageous flights during that time. Watch for this program to appear soon on PBS.
Update: This project is currently on hold because our friend and colleague Michael Knape passed away.
Astronauts pose for a scheduled media event just days before the fire.
Pictured, Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White, Roger B. Chaffee
Pad 34 at Cape Canaveral, is as NASA puts it...."Abandon in Place". Untouched since the sixties, what remains of that time in our history is gently being taken back by the land.
Location of this photograph is within a few feet of the one taken above.
West Coast MEDiA, was asked by Steven Spielberg's organization, "Survivors of the SHOAH Visual History Foundation" to record the testimonies of Holocaust survivors. The Foundation is collecting the personal accounts of individuals that lived through the Nazi regime, and of the soldiers that liberated them. Of the sixteen different regions worldwide, WCM was responsible for the areas east of Chicago and west of Detroit. Every production company that is involved with this historic project does so on a volunteer basis. West Coast 
MEDiA is proud to have been associated with this project which is now completed.
Letter From Steven Spielberg
MAGIC LINE OPENS WITH HISTORIC (sort of) FOOTAGEWith thousands of ATM machines located in the Mid-West, Magic Line of Dearborn, Michigan (now merged with NYCE) needed a creative way to impress it's members at a recent 
conference. West Coast MEDiA, Inc. in conjunction with Magic Line's Marketing Department created a meeting opener video that didn't look like a video at all. Using the latest technology WCM gave the footage an old time movie look. Complete with scratches, dust flashes and chunks missing, the program uses the "villain tie'em to the railroad track " suspense theme to communicate the latest innovations in the EFT (electronic funds transfer) world. Running almost 9 minutes, Polly Pureheart is finally saved by Magic Line Man.... she couldn't pay the rent but now she doesn't have to worry, because Magic Line Man (then corporate CEO John Bascom) has set her up for automatic payments electronically!
Click on the theater interior to see the movie!
Click on the theater