David Niles (director)
Encyclopedia
David Niles is a director, director of photography and designer. He was one of the first to pioneer the commercial applications of High Definition television. He is cofounder of Colossalvision, a production and post-production
facility.
From 1972 through 1987, Niles operated abroad in Paris
, France
where he founded and designed his production facilities Captain Video
and VOIR. While in France
, he earned the prestigious “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres” for creating the on-air look of all three French television network
s.
In 1987, Niles returned to New York
and started 1125 Productions, a then state-of-the-art HDTV television production facility utilizing Sony HDVS
equipment. The company acquired the lease to The Ed Sullivan Theater
in 1990 and combined their HDTV studio with the landmarked theater to house the Broadway show “Dreamtime (musical)
” in 1992. The studio was used during the day to shoot HDTV productions with Aerosmith
and Crosby
, Stills & Nash for MTV Unplugged
, and Tony Bennett
, Mick Jagger
, and Jackie Mason
. Niles also directed for “Jackie Mason: Brand New” on Broadway at The Neil Simon Theater.
“Dreamtime (musical)
” was created by niles based on an original story by Marc Cerrone. Niles also directed and wrote the book for the musical. Eddie Bracken
, Sonia Jones
, and Steve Overland
starred in the show which also features Camille Donatacci
, Deirdre Imus
, Bonnie Comley
& Stephanie Daniels. The show, billed as “A New Broadway Musical Experience” combined giant screen images in high definition with live actors, music and laser lighting effects. The audience members were videotaped upon their entrance and became part of the show’s finale thanks to the high tech, quick video editing
equipment incorporated into the theater.
During “Dreamtime’s” successful Broadway run at The Ed Sullivan Theater
, Consolidated Properties, Inc sold the theater and the office space above to CBS to serve as the new home for the David Letterman Show. CBS
needed the theater right away and struck a deal to move 1125 Productions and “Dreamtime (musical)
out of the theater. The show was given four weeks to vacate the theater and relocate. Due to the cost of moving the Broadway show and the lack of another comparable Broadway theater the show closed permanently. Niles returned to Broadway to direct for Jackie Mason: Brand New. The sale of the building and quick vacancy earned Brian Ezraty, the prestigious Henry Hart Rice Achievement Award for the Most Ingenious Deal of the Year for 1993.
In 1995 Niles teamed up with Scott Worthington and shortly thereafter formed Colossalvision. The team produced another multimedia extravaganza called “Show Me New York” in 1996. The show, hosted by Jerry Orbach
combined HDTV on a 40 feet (12.2 m) wide screen with a lightshow and fireworks.
In 1998, Niles consulted and directed the redesigning of Madison Square Garden
studio into HDTV production facilities and has begun design for HDTV facilities for Radio City Music Hall
.
Post-production
Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...
facility.
From 1972 through 1987, Niles operated abroad in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
where he founded and designed his production facilities Captain Video
Captain Video
Captain Video and His Video Rangers is an American science fiction television series. It was broadcast on the DuMont Television Network, and was the first series of its kind on American television...
and VOIR. While in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, he earned the prestigious “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres” for creating the on-air look of all three French television network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
s.
In 1987, Niles returned to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and started 1125 Productions, a then state-of-the-art HDTV television production facility utilizing Sony HDVS
Sony HDVS
Sony HDVS was a range of high-definition video equipment developed in the 1980s to support an early analog high-definition television system thought to be the broadcast television systems that would be in use today...
equipment. The company acquired the lease to The Ed Sullivan Theater
Ed Sullivan Theater
The Ed Sullivan Theater, located at 1697-1699 Broadway between West 53rd and West 54th, in Manhattan, is a venerable radio and television studio in New York City...
in 1990 and combined their HDTV studio with the landmarked theater to house the Broadway show “Dreamtime (musical)
Dreamtime (musical)
Dreamtime is an original musical by Jean Marc Cerrone and David Niles. It was created by Niles, based on an original story by Cerrone. Niles wrote the book for the musical. The show's message is the power of love and dreams. Billed as a "New Broadway Musical Experience," the show combined giant...
” in 1992. The studio was used during the day to shoot HDTV productions with Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
and Crosby
Crosby
- Geography :Canada*Crosby, Ontario, part of the township of Rideau Lakes, Ontario*Crosby, Ontario, a neighbourhood in the town of Markham, OntarioEngland*Crosby, Cumbria*Crosby, Lincolnshire*Crosby, Merseyside**Crosby...
, Stills & Nash for MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
, and Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
, Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
, and Jackie Mason
Jackie Mason
Jackie Mason is an American stand-up comedian and movie actor.-Early life:Born Yacov Moshe Maza in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, he grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City....
. Niles also directed for “Jackie Mason: Brand New” on Broadway at The Neil Simon Theater.
“Dreamtime (musical)
Dreamtime (musical)
Dreamtime is an original musical by Jean Marc Cerrone and David Niles. It was created by Niles, based on an original story by Cerrone. Niles wrote the book for the musical. The show's message is the power of love and dreams. Billed as a "New Broadway Musical Experience," the show combined giant...
” was created by niles based on an original story by Marc Cerrone. Niles also directed and wrote the book for the musical. Eddie Bracken
Eddie Bracken
Edward Vincent "Eddie" Bracken was an American actor.-Life and career:Bracken was born in Astoria, New York, the son of Catherine and Joseph L. Bracken. Bracken performed in vaudeville at the age of nine and gained fame with the Broadway musical Too Many Girls in a role he reprised for the 1940...
, Sonia Jones
Sonia Jones
Sonia Jones is a singer who is recognised for her session, touring and soundtrack performances. Her session work has included pop acts of the 1970s and 80s. She sang the title track for the film Monty Python's Life of Brian.-External links:*...
, and Steve Overland
Steve Overland
Steve Overland is a British singer/musician who was the lead vocalist and songwriter for the bands Wildlife, FM, The Ladder, Shadowman, and his own group, Overland. Overland's nearly 30 year career began in his home county of East Anglia, where he and his brother Chris formed the band Wildlife in...
starred in the show which also features Camille Donatacci
Camille Donatacci
Camille Grammer is an American television personality, starring in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills...
, Deirdre Imus
Deirdre Imus
Deirdre Coleman Imus is the founder and president of the Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center, part of Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, United States...
, Bonnie Comley
Bonnie Comley
Bonnie Comley, Vice President of Stellar Productions International, Inc. is a producer, writer and performer.Comley has created scholarships funds at Columbia University Business Graduate School and at the Boston University College of Fine Arts Undergraduate School, where a theater is named in her...
& Stephanie Daniels. The show, billed as “A New Broadway Musical Experience” combined giant screen images in high definition with live actors, music and laser lighting effects. The audience members were videotaped upon their entrance and became part of the show’s finale thanks to the high tech, quick video editing
Video editing
The term video editing can refer to:* Linear video editing, using video tape* Non-linear editing system , using computers with video editing software* Offline editing* Online editing...
equipment incorporated into the theater.
During “Dreamtime’s” successful Broadway run at The Ed Sullivan Theater
Ed Sullivan Theater
The Ed Sullivan Theater, located at 1697-1699 Broadway between West 53rd and West 54th, in Manhattan, is a venerable radio and television studio in New York City...
, Consolidated Properties, Inc sold the theater and the office space above to CBS to serve as the new home for the David Letterman Show. CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
needed the theater right away and struck a deal to move 1125 Productions and “Dreamtime (musical)
Dreamtime (musical)
Dreamtime is an original musical by Jean Marc Cerrone and David Niles. It was created by Niles, based on an original story by Cerrone. Niles wrote the book for the musical. The show's message is the power of love and dreams. Billed as a "New Broadway Musical Experience," the show combined giant...
out of the theater. The show was given four weeks to vacate the theater and relocate. Due to the cost of moving the Broadway show and the lack of another comparable Broadway theater the show closed permanently. Niles returned to Broadway to direct for Jackie Mason: Brand New. The sale of the building and quick vacancy earned Brian Ezraty, the prestigious Henry Hart Rice Achievement Award for the Most Ingenious Deal of the Year for 1993.
In 1995 Niles teamed up with Scott Worthington and shortly thereafter formed Colossalvision. The team produced another multimedia extravaganza called “Show Me New York” in 1996. The show, hosted by Jerry Orbach
Jerry Orbach
Jerome Bernard "Jerry" Orbach was an American actor and singer. He was well known for his starring role as Detective Lennie Briscoe in the Law & Order television series and as the voice of Lumière in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. As well, Orbach was a noted musical theatre star...
combined HDTV on a 40 feet (12.2 m) wide screen with a lightshow and fireworks.
In 1998, Niles consulted and directed the redesigning of Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
studio into HDTV production facilities and has begun design for HDTV facilities for Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
.