Black Valve Creates Video Series for Big Bets for America 2026 in Cleveland

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Black Valve Creates Video Series for Big Bets for America 2026 in Cleveland

BEHIND THE SCENES

Black Valve Media recently had the opportunity to create a series of videos for the Cleveland Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation as part of Big Bets for America 2026 in Cleveland.

The convening brought together leaders from philanthropy, government, business, and the civic sector to focus on bold investments in American communities. For our team, it was an especially meaningful project because the work was centered on Cleveland’s future and the people, places, and ideas helping move the city forward.

Our role was to help translate several important initiatives into video pieces that could be shared with the audience during the event. These videos were designed to support the larger conversation taking place at the conference: how strategic investment, civic leadership, and cross-sector collaboration can create lasting impact in cities like Cleveland.

One of the videos we produced focused on the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund, an initiative working to prepare underutilized industrial land for future development, job creation, and long-term neighborhood growth. The story speaks directly to Cleveland’s history as an industrial city, while also looking ahead to what the next generation of economic opportunity can look like. We also produced videos showcasing amazing support from benefactors of the Site Readiness Fund such as the Wellman Family and KeyBank.

Projects like this are a reminder of why story-driven and video production matters. Many of the most important stories in civic and philanthropic work are complex. They involve funding, policy, community partnerships, land use, workforce development, and long timelines. We excel at creating videos that help make those ideas more accessible to any audience member, whether you’re a resident, public official, or donor.

For Black Valve, this project was also a chance to contribute to a larger story happening in our own city. Cleveland continues to be a place where national conversations about reinvestment, innovation, and inclusive growth are becoming more visible. Being trusted to help communicate that story for organizations like the Cleveland Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation was an honor.

We’re grateful to the teams who brought us into this project and proud to have played a small role in supporting Big Bets for America: Cleveland.

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firebrand “Untether” Music Video Features Black Valve Media CRT TV Wall

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firebrand “Untether” Music Video Features Black Valve Media CRT TV Wall

Black Valve Media recently collaborated with Cleveland band firebrand on the official music video for their new single “Untether,” helping bring the project’s analog-inspired visual style to life through custom CRT playback and practical television effects filmed inside Studio J.

For the production, Black Valve Media’s multi-screen CRT TV wall was used to create layered visuals throughout the performance sequences. Different images and clips were programmed across the various screens to build a chaotic, fragmented atmosphere that matched the emotional intensity of the song. Rather than displaying a single feed across every television, the setup allowed unique visuals, textures, and motion elements to play independently across the wall, giving the video a more dynamic and immersive look directly in-camera.

Ahead of filming, Evan and Hunter Prunty worked to prep and organize the television wall playback system, loading and coordinating the visual content used throughout the shoot. On the day of production, Evelyn Engle from Black Valve Media assisted on set with playback operation, helping ensure the visuals across the CRT wall synced properly during filming and matched the creative direction of the video team.

The project is another example of how Black Valve Media’s practical playback setups and retro television inventory can be integrated into music videos, commercials, and film productions to create unique visuals without relying entirely on post-production effects. Studio J’s flexible production space and curated collection of CRT displays continue to be used for projects looking for authentic analog textures, layered screen effects, and custom playback environments.

The “Untether” music video was produced by Scooter Allen at Rewire Recording Studio and created by Studio: Sillie, co-directed and edited by Gabe Gazic, co-directed by Richard Bryer, filmed by Andrew Delly, with additional help from Adam Michalski. Filming also took place at the Cleveland State School of Film & Media Arts.

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Anna Goes Outside x Bird Collective

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Anna Goes Outside x Bird Collective

We’re really excited to officially partner with Bird Collective — a company whose mission and passion for conservation align so closely with what we care about at Anna Goes Outside.

Bird Collective is committed to protecting birds and preserving their populations for future generations. In the last 50 years, North America has lost more than one in four birds, and Bird Collective actively supports projects and organizations working to reverse that decline.

From their Brooklyn studio, they create original bird-inspired apparel, accessories, and gifts in collaboration with artists and conservation groups. Everything they make is rooted in real conservation storytelling, celebrating birds, their habitats, and the people working tirelessly to protect them.

Since launching in 2019, Bird Collective has partnered with organizations including the American Bird Conservancy, HawkWatch International, Grassland Bird Trust, Center for Biological Diversity, the Yurok Tribe, and many more. Their work goes far beyond just making great products — they’re building a conservation-focused community centered around creativity, science, education, and love for the natural world.

And honestly… they just make really awesome birding merch.

If you’d like to support both Bird Collective and Anna Goes Outside, you can use our code below for 10% off select collections:

Use Code: ANNAGOESOUTSIDE

Shop here:
Bird Collective x Anna Goes Outside

Every purchase helps support conservation-focused work and the continued effort to protect birds and their habitats for generations to come.

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Black Valve Media’s Evan Prunty Joins Cleveland State Filmmaker Panel

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Black Valve Media’s Evan Prunty Joins Cleveland State Filmmaker Panel

The Cleveland State University Film & Media Arts Department recently brought together a group of local filmmakers for a behind-the-scenes discussion about creating films in Cleveland, highlighting the collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving that power independent productions in Northeast Ohio.

Moderated by Mike Wendt of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, the panel featured local crew members who worked on the feature film Buddy, which made its first Midwest appearance at the 50th Cleveland International Film Festival with a screening at the Allen Theatre in Playhouse Square on April 10.

The panel included:

Shawna-Nova Foley — Costume Designer

Janel Moore — Costume Supervisor

Evan Prunty — Video Assist / Co-Owner of Black Valve Media

Schuyler White — Stunt Coordinator & SFX Supervisor

Throughout the conversation, the filmmakers discussed the unique challenges of producing Buddy, from working with puppets and child actors to coordinating complex stunt work and virtual production environments. The panel also highlighted the importance of Cleveland’s collaborative film community and how local crews consistently come together to solve problems creatively under demanding production schedules.

During the discussion, Evan spoke about his role in Video Assist and the advantages of shooting at TRG Multimedia, where much of the film was produced. He discussed how working on a stage environment improved efficiency for departments across production and allowed crews to move quickly between setups while maintaining continuity and organization.

The conversation also explored the use of virtual production technology on Buddy. Evan shared how combining practical foreground elements with LED wall environments helped create more believable worlds on screen, while also streamlining production logistics between scenes and locations.

The event offered students and attendees an inside look at the realities of filmmaking in Cleveland and reinforced the strength of the city’s growing production community. From costume design and stunt coordination to puppeteering and on-set playback, the panel showcased the wide range of talent helping bring ambitious productions to life in Northeast Ohio.

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