PeteBerg.net News Feed http://www.peteberg.net The latest updates from Pete Berg's portfolio and resume website. en-us pberg1@gmail.com (Pete Berg) pberg1@gmail.com (Pete Berg) American Underworld http://www.peteberg.net#newsitemEFklZVylZkajgsryLu My latest TV project before I went abroad was Discovery Channel's American Underworld. This was gritty documentary at its finest. The show follows investigative journalist Mark Allen Johnson as he delves into underground subcultures throughout the country -- drugs, prostitution, carjacking rings and more. We produced three episodes this spring, which include a Meth bust in Tennessee, a drug dealer making illegal steroids in his Los Angeles kitchen, pimps working the streets in Chicago, and an auto theft ring in Oakland. This was one of the most challenging shows I've worked on, since so much of it involved forging delicate relationships with criminals as well as law enforcement officers, and the show was shot very on-the-fly, by-the-seat-of-your-pants. We never knew what we were going to get when we sent Mark out with a camera...a lot of times we got nothing...but a lot of times, we got some of the most scary and revealing footage we've ever seen. American Underworld has been airing... 08 Oct 2011 00:00:01 PDT http://zapakin.bandergrove.com#newsitemEFklZVylZkajgsryLu Discovery Channel's American Underworld. This was gritty documentary at its finest. The show follows investigative journalist Mark Allen Johnson as he delves into underground subcultures throughout the country -- drugs, prostitution, carjacking rings and more.



We produced three episodes this spring, which include a Meth bust in Tennessee, a drug dealer making illegal steroids in his Los Angeles kitchen, pimps working the streets in Chicago, and an auto theft ring in Oakland. This was one of the most challenging shows I've worked on, since so much of it involved forging delicate relationships with criminals as well as law enforcement officers, and the show was shot very on-the-fly, by-the-seat-of-your-pants. We never knew what we were going to get when we sent Mark out with a camera...a lot of times we got nothing...but a lot of times, we got some of the most scary and revealing footage we've ever seen.

American Underworld has been airing the past few weeks on Discovery. You can watch clips from the show here, and also find listings for when it will air on the Discovery Channel.

-Pete

]]> The Mongol Rally http://www.peteberg.net#newsitemEkAykFupVFYKbFVdKp I've got that itch for adventure again, so it's time to dust off my backpack and hit the road! This summer I will be taking part in The Mongol Rally, a 10,000 mile car rally from London to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. I'll be driving with a team of friends through about 18 different countries with anything but suitable roads (or no roads at all), with no electronic navigational aids, in a tiny little car that is generally considered crap and completely inappropriate for the task. That's the spirit of the Mongol Rally. All in all, I'm planning to spend about four months abroad beginning in June. I'll start the trip with a week in Iceland, and then I'm planning to travel to several atlatl events in in Germany with my parents, and visit some relatives in Denmark. The Mongol Rally begins at the end of July, and our current route will take us through 17 countries: England, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan,... 28 Jan 2011 09:00:53 PST http://zapakin.bandergrove.com#newsitemEkAykFupVFYKbFVdKp I've got that itch for adventure again, so it's time to dust off my backpack and hit the road!

This summer I will be taking part in The Mongol Rally, a 10,000 mile car rally from London to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. I'll be driving with a team of friends through about 18 different countries with anything but suitable roads (or no roads at all), with no electronic navigational aids, in a tiny little car that is generally considered crap and completely inappropriate for the task. That's the spirit of the Mongol Rally.

All in all, I'm planning to spend about four months abroad beginning in June. I'll start the trip with a week in Iceland, and then I'm planning to travel to several atlatl events in in Germany with my parents, and visit some relatives in Denmark.

The Mongol Rally begins at the end of July, and our current route will take us through 17 countries: England, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Mongolia. Afterwards, I am considering taking the Trans-Siberian Railroad through Russia back to Europe and spend a few more weeks there.

One part of the rally itself is to raise money for charity -- we are planning to donate well over 1,000 pounds to the people of Mongolia, as well as the car that we drive, so we will be setting up our team website and will begin collecting donations soon. It should be quite the trip!


-Pete

]]> Is the D.B. Cooper case solved? http://www.peteberg.net#newsitemEkAyEAukkELevTQydw Tonight's episode of Brad Meltzer's DECODED delves into the D.B. Cooper case, the 1971 skyjacking which has been unsolved for forty years. I produced this episode, and it's my personal favorite one of the season. And after this latest investigation, the case may very well be solved. The show follows a new suspect named Kenny Christiansen, who was brought to light by the book Into The Blast: The True Story of D. B. Cooper. Kenny was a Northwest Airlines employee and a trained paratrooper; he suddenly began spending large amounts of money in the months after the hijacking; he was unaccounted for the night of the crime; and there was even a plastic bag of $20 bills found hidden in his backyard years later -- the denomination of the cash stolen by D.B. Cooper. Wikipedia has a longer summary of the case against Christiansen. During our shoot, we visited Kenny's former home in Bonney Lake, Washington (where the bag of twenties was found), and searched the walls with an infrared camera. The... 06 Jan 2011 00:00:01 PST http://zapakin.bandergrove.com#newsitemEkAyEAukkELevTQydw Tonight's episode of Brad Meltzer's DECODED delves into the D.B. Cooper case, the 1971 skyjacking which has been unsolved for forty years. I produced this episode, and it's my personal favorite one of the season. And after this latest investigation, the case may very well be solved.

The show follows a new suspect named Kenny Christiansen, who was brought to light by the book Into The Blast: The True Story of D. B. Cooper. Kenny was a Northwest Airlines employee and a trained paratrooper; he suddenly began spending large amounts of money in the months after the hijacking; he was unaccounted for the night of the crime; and there was even a plastic bag of $20 bills found hidden in his backyard years later -- the denomination of the cash stolen by D.B. Cooper. Wikipedia has a longer summary of the case against Christiansen.

During our shoot, we visited Kenny's former home in Bonney Lake, Washington (where the bag of twenties was found), and searched the walls with an infrared camera. The idea was we were looking for a hiding spot or a cubby hole -- a place where money could have been hidden. We weren't expecting to find anything, but when we came across a peculiar rectangular area in the ceiling above Kenny's former bedroom, we had to investigate. We sent one of our Decoders up into the attic, and sure enough, we found something. In between the rafters in Kenny's attic, hidden under a layer of insulation, we found a hinged box that was clearly some sort of deliberate hiding space! It was the perfect size to hide the stash of money that D.B. Cooper stole, and we found it in the ceiling right above the leading suspect's bedroom. I know this doesn't prove anything, but it's another piece of circumstantial evidence to add to the ever-growing case against Kenny Christianen.

After we wrapped, author of Into The Blast Robert Blevins released a new edition of his book which includes a chapter on the History Channel shoot. I'm quoted in the book and Robert even put my picture in it. It's pretty cool that our detective work actually turned up something!

To see this episode, tune in tonight at 10PM on The History Channel.


-Pete

]]> Brad Meltzer's DECODED http://www.peteberg.net#newsitemEkAyEluVkkMhlTmcND Since June, I have been working as a Producer for a new History Channel series called Brad Meltzer's DECODED. The show features a team of investigators -- the "Decoders" -- solving mysteries from throughout American History. Bestselling author Brad Meltzer is the host, and kind of the Charlie figure to this Charlie's Angels. I've been traveling all over the country, field producing episodes on a variety of really interesting topics. Here are a few of the episodes I'm working on:John Wilkes Booth: Did John Wilkes really die two weeks after assassinating Lincoln, or did he survive for another 40 years under assumed identities around the world? Was the man killed in Garrett's Barn a patsy?Rebel Gold: Where did the missing Confederate treasury disappear to after it was raided by night time raiders in Georgia in 1865?D.B. Cooper The only unsolved skyjacking case in American History. Who was this famous airline hijacker, and did he survive his 1971 jump from the back of a Boeing 727 with... 10 Oct 2010 00:00:01 PDT http://zapakin.bandergrove.com#newsitemEkAyEluVkkMhlTmcND Since June, I have been working as a Producer for a new History Channel series called Brad Meltzer's DECODED. The show features a team of investigators -- the "Decoders" -- solving mysteries from throughout American History. Bestselling author Brad Meltzer is the host, and kind of the Charlie figure to this Charlie's Angels.

I've been traveling all over the country, field producing episodes on a variety of really interesting topics. Here are a few of the episodes I'm working on:

  • John Wilkes Booth: Did John Wilkes really die two weeks after assassinating Lincoln, or did he survive for another 40 years under assumed identities around the world? Was the man killed in Garrett's Barn a patsy?
  • Rebel Gold: Where did the missing Confederate treasury disappear to after it was raided by night time raiders in Georgia in 1865?
  • D.B. Cooper The only unsolved skyjacking case in American History. Who was this famous airline hijacker, and did he survive his 1971 jump from the back of a Boeing 727 with $200,000 in cash?

  • The White House Cornerstone: The very first piece of the White House was laid in 1792 in a secret Freemason ceremony, and it has since disappeared. What happened to the cornerstone, and did the Freemasons have something to do with it?

All in all, it is a really fun job, even if though it's a lot of work. The series is set to premiere on December 2nd on the History Channel, so be sure to tune in!

DECODED is produced by Go Go Luckey Entertainment.


-Pete

]]> Reality Rush, LLC officially launches! http://www.peteberg.net#newsitemEkyAVyApAZPVrjolza Today, my event planning company Reality Rush officially launched! We specialize in running team building adventures based on Reality TV game shows like Survivor, The Amazing Race and Big Brother. Although we have been running events for nearly two years, we became official in September, 2009 when we trademarked our name and filed the paperwork to become an LLC. Today, we have launched our new website and are announcing our company! Our grand premiere event, Urban Hunt: Los Angeles takes place on April 10th. This is an exciting scavenger hunt around Los Angeles, where teams of two solve puzzles, compete in various tasks, and explore their city. (Think of it as an afternoon version of The Amazing Race.) It's a whole heck of a lot of fun, and I encourage everyone to sign up. We're very excited to expand our business and run many more events over the coming years. If you know any groups who are interested in having an unforgettable adventure, be sure to contact Reality Rush! 24 Mar 2010 00:00:01 PDT http://zapakin.bandergrove.com#newsitemEkyAVyApAZPVrjolza Today, my event planning company Reality Rush officially launched! We specialize in running team building adventures based on Reality TV game shows like Survivor, The Amazing Race and Big Brother. Although we have been running events for nearly two years, we became official in September, 2009 when we trademarked our name and filed the paperwork to become an LLC. Today, we have launched our new website and are announcing our company!

Reality Rush, LLC

Our grand premiere event, Urban Hunt: Los Angeles takes place on April 10th. This is an exciting scavenger hunt around Los Angeles, where teams of two solve puzzles, compete in various tasks, and explore their city. (Think of it as an afternoon version of The Amazing Race.) It's a whole heck of a lot of fun, and I encourage everyone to sign up.

We're very excited to expand our business and run many more events over the coming years. If you know any groups who are interested in having an unforgettable adventure, be sure to contact Reality Rush!


-Pete

]]> The Lazy Environmentalist http://www.peteberg.net#newsitemEkyZykFpEkjRkGYNqc In September, I started a new job -- I am now an Associate Producer on The Lazy Environmentalist. TLE is an environmental TV series on The Sundance Channel, about easy and cost-effective ways of going green. The host, Josh Dorfman, helps people in various walks of life find ways to be more eco-friendly without bending over backward or making huge sacrifices. The idea is that going green doesn't have to be hard. We are now in the thick of production on episodes covering everything from interior decorators to surfers to funeral directors. As an AP, I do huge amounts of research, find experts to appear on the show, help write the scripts, and then produce, produce, produce. I now know more about biofoam surfboards and biodegradable caskets than I ever dreamed I would know. I've also been doing a lot of shooting for our various segments. Just last week, I found myself riding along with an exterminator for the day, while he tried out eco-friendly pesticides on all sorts of cockroach,... 15 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST http://zapakin.bandergrove.com#newsitemEkyZykFpEkjRkGYNqc In September, I started a new job -- I am now an Associate Producer on The Lazy Environmentalist. TLE is an environmental TV series on The Sundance Channel, about easy and cost-effective ways of going green. The host, Josh Dorfman, helps people in various walks of life find ways to be more eco-friendly without bending over backward or making huge sacrifices. The idea is that going green doesn't have to be hard.

We are now in the thick of production on episodes covering everything from interior decorators to surfers to funeral directors. As an AP, I do huge amounts of research, find experts to appear on the show, help write the scripts, and then produce, produce, produce.

I now know more about biofoam surfboards and biodegradable caskets than I ever dreamed I would know. I've also been doing a lot of shooting for our various segments. Just last week, I found myself riding along with an exterminator for the day, while he tried out eco-friendly pesticides on all sorts of cockroach, spider and rodent infestations. It has been an interesting and educational experience to say the least!

You can check out the Sundance Channel's websites to see some clips from the show. Enjoy!

-Pete

]]> Pizza Party Weekend http://www.peteberg.net#newsitemEkyZVlAuVZsWCTBabR A few months ago, some friends and I started a sketch comedy group called Pizza Party Weekend, and I've discovered a new passion for writing and performing live comedy! We started out making comedy videos for the web and performing the occasional one-off sketch at comedy variety shows, but we apparently made an impression, because we got offered our own hour long sketch show at the Theater Asylum in Hollywood. So far, we have written and performed two hour-long sketch comedy shows as PPW -- one in May and one in July. Our comedy is similar to the offbeat /underground style of the Upright Citizens Brigade theater (in fact, one of our aims is to eventually get a show at UCB). That said, all five of the members have very different voices, and I feel like we complement each other well. We've done sketches about our "Evil Selves," kids arguing over the name for their (videogame) Rock Band, creepy high school teachers with crushes on their students, the Community Chest from Monopoly, a twisted... 15 Sep 2009 00:00:01 PDT http://zapakin.bandergrove.com#newsitemEkyZVlAuVZsWCTBabR A few months ago, some friends and I started a sketch comedy group called Pizza Party Weekend, and I've discovered a new passion for writing and performing live comedy! We started out making comedy videos for the web and performing the occasional one-off sketch at comedy variety shows, but we apparently made an impression, because we got offered our own hour long sketch show at the Theater Asylum in Hollywood.

So far, we have written and performed two hour-long sketch comedy shows as PPW -- one in May and one in July. Our comedy is similar to the offbeat /underground style of the Upright Citizens Brigade theater (in fact, one of our aims is to eventually get a show at UCB).

That said, all five of the members have very different voices, and I feel like we complement each other well. We've done sketches about our "Evil Selves," kids arguing over the name for their (videogame) Rock Band, creepy high school teachers with crushes on their students, the Community Chest from Monopoly, a twisted summer camp, and a whole lot more.

Pizza Party Weekend's next show is coming up next week (Sept. 23rd), so if you're in Hollywood, check us out. Details and links to some of our videos are available here.


-Pete

]]> Reality Rush's Races http://www.peteberg.net#newsitemEkuVuFuyZFKocGeDQg Reality Rush, the adventure planning company that I co-founded with my friend Justin Walter, is gaining a lot of momentum! Reality Rush runs weekend team-building events based on reality shows like Survivor, The Amazing Race, The Mole and Big Brother. And in the past two weeks, we have produced two (Amazing) Races! Both Races went incredibly well, and all the contestants had a great time. One of these races was for our first client, the staff of E! Live Events, and we are already scheduling upcoming events for groups including Teach For America and various colleges. Our contestants have also given us rave reviews! Here are some quotes from post-Race surveys:"The closest you can get to being on the real show!" - Shaun Smith, 30"An unforgettable team-building experience that challenges every fiber of your being." - Jennifer Stewart, 25"Truly one of the best adventures I�ve undertaken in a long time!" - Gerry Johnston, 47 If you or your group would like to participate in one of our Reality... 15 Jun 2009 00:00:01 PDT http://zapakin.bandergrove.com#newsitemEkuVuFuyZFKocGeDQg Reality Rush, the adventure planning company that I co-founded with my friend Justin Walter, is gaining a lot of momentum! Reality Rush runs weekend team-building events based on reality shows like Survivor, The Amazing Race, The Mole and Big Brother. And in the past two weeks, we have produced two (Amazing) Races!

The Race, produced by Reality Rush. Players at the starting line.

Both Races went incredibly well, and all the contestants had a great time. One of these races was for our first client, the staff of E! Live Events, and we are already scheduling upcoming events for groups including Teach For America and various colleges.

Our contestants have also given us rave reviews! Here are some quotes from post-Race surveys:

  • "The closest you can get to being on the real show!" - Shaun Smith, 30
  • "An unforgettable team-building experience that challenges every fiber of your being." - Jennifer Stewart, 25
  • "Truly one of the best adventures I�ve undertaken in a long time!" - Gerry Johnston, 47

If you or your group would like to participate in one of our Reality TV inspired games, visit our website!


-Pete

]]> Back (and busy) in LA! http://www.peteberg.net#newsitemEkuVuFkyAupkTDndLi I finally returned to Los Angeles last month after nine months of traveling! While I look for a new full-time job, I am doing various freelance web design and videography work, and have resumed development on my business Reality Rush. I am heavily involved with Last Lantern Productions, a new L.A.-based production company launched by former Ithaca College professor Changhee Chun. I am one of the founding members, and we will be producing various video, web, multimedia and print productions for a variety of clients. If your business is in need of a production team, please visit our website. I am also now freelancing for New Horizons Pictures, where I am a Web Producer. Our team is responsible for launching a new multimedia and e-commerce website to market legendary filmmaker Roger Corman's library of over 400 classic films. Other freelance web development projects I've taken on recently include the site for the documentary Craigslist Joe; student television station Rollins College... 16 Apr 2009 00:00:01 PDT http://zapakin.bandergrove.com#newsitemEkuVuFkyAupkTDndLi I finally returned to Los Angeles last month after nine months of traveling! While I look for a new full-time job, I am doing various freelance web design and videography work, and have resumed development on my business Reality Rush.

I am heavily involved with Last Lantern Productions, a new L.A.-based production company launched by former Ithaca College professor Changhee Chun. I am one of the founding members, and we will be producing various video, web, multimedia and print productions for a variety of clients. If your business is in need of a production team, please visit our website.

I am also now freelancing for New Horizons Pictures, where I am a Web Producer. Our team is responsible for launching a new multimedia and e-commerce website to market legendary filmmaker Roger Corman's library of over 400 classic films. Other freelance web development projects I've taken on recently include the site for the documentary Craigslist Joe; student television station Rollins College TV; and dress wholesaler PolyUSA. I have also launched one more website of my own: Power Hour HQ, a directory of video drinking games for the college crowd!


-Pete

]]> Stories told in just six words http://www.peteberg.net#newsitemEkFEVpyuElCIUDGUAk Can you tell a story in just six words? Ernest Hemingway was challenged to do just that in the 1920s, and it resulted in what he considered to be his best work: "For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn." I was inspired by Hemingway's challenge, and thought that a website all about super short stories would be pretty cool - so I made one! Six Word Stories is a daily-updated collection of the best six word stories -- written by famous authors, amateurs from around the world, and submitted by fans of the site. It also has its own Twitter Feed. This site launched just a week ago, and it's already a big success! Over 500 stories have been submitted, and it's had 50,000 unique visitors in the past two days. Check out Six Word Stories and let me know what you think. 08 Jan 2009 00:00:01 PST http://zapakin.bandergrove.com#newsitemEkFEVpyuElCIUDGUAk Can you tell a story in just six words?

Ernest Hemingway was challenged to do just that in the 1920s, and it resulted in what he considered to be his best work: "For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn."

I was inspired by Hemingway's challenge, and thought that a website all about super short stories would be pretty cool - so I made one! Six Word Stories is a daily-updated collection of the best six word stories -- written by famous authors, amateurs from around the world, and submitted by fans of the site. It also has its own Twitter Feed.

This site launched just a week ago, and it's already a big success! Over 500 stories have been submitted, and it's had 50,000 unique visitors in the past two days. Check out Six Word Stories and let me know what you think.


-Pete

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