In August and September, I worked with the amazingly talented Aude Bronson Howard on a commercial campaign/ promotional film.  All very hush hush, non-disclosure paperwork a go-go.  That said, somehow, the Paparazzi always seem to find you when there are major movie stars involved even for your top secret project.  I'm greatly looking forward to the day when I can see the spots online if not on the telly.

Even though everyone was keeping mum about the job, since the Paparazzi showed up, I thought I'd share what it looks like as the same photographers hop from one side of the street to the other (an out of the way spot in industrial Greenpoint, Brooklyn- not somewhere you'd just find yourself by accident) as they try to get the movie star shots that will earn them a living.  So: Paparazzi in the shade, Paparazzi in the sun...

We held fittings for our background performers at a stage in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan.  Whenever I'd enter, their entryway banks of stage lights were so show biz, I'd mentally hum the opening of the Bugs Bunny cartoons "Overture, cut the lights, this is it, the night of nights..." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-t8PngHgWY

More backstage glamour: One day during the shoot while setting up, suddenly everyone with an iPhone had their emergency alerts go off in unison.  Happily, mine was on vibrate, others were not.  

Seems we were in for a torrential rain/thunderstorms with flash flood alerts.  We had packed so many racks of clothes for the multi day shoot, that we had to offload them to be held in tents behind the wardrobe trailer to have room to work.  We rushed back from set to the tents to try to get the most high dollar merch back up into the truck, floor space be damned.  Some of the stalwart crew pictured, trying to save the day and keep the tents from blowing over!

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And once the shoot was over, a photo from the production office (faces blocked to protect identities, but hey, news of this project was all over the internet so it is no secret who directed this)...

Industry City goings on: "Pulp: A Film About Life, Death and Supermarkets" Rooftop Films Screening

One of the most fun evenings I've ever had was held on the rooftop and backyard of my Industry City Studio.  Jarvis Cocker- the lead singer for the band "Pulp" (and with whom I'd worked on the HBO "Six by Sondheim" musical number designed by John Dunn) attended an outdoor, rooftop screening and karaoke after party of Florian Habicht's "Pulp: A Film About Life, Death and Supermarkets".

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/live-reviews/jarvis-cocker-judges-extremely-weird-pulp-karaoke-contest-20140808

More photos and info in this article:
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2014/08/jarvis_cocker_j_1.html

Industry City

My studio is located in an old industrial building in a complex in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, which has been undergoing serious renovation.  Industry City (http://industrycity.com/#) is the former "Bush Terminal".  Here's a Wikipedia link for a bit of its history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_Terminal_/_Industry_City.

In the old days, railroad cars would on and offload goods to the loading docks sandwiched between the buildings from tracks that ran along 2nd Avenue.

With the new renovations, the area behind my studio has become a delightful setting for outdoor dining, special events and a pass through area to the building around the block which has the "Factory Floor": an enormous space that is leased out for special events.  The new owners filled in the tracks, added furniture, plants, a Bocce Ball court, lights and during the warmer months added food vendors.

A weekly dance party called "Mister Sunday" (aka "Mister Saturday") brought enormous crowds out to dance Sunday evenings away, without bothering any neighbors as it is located on an industrial only zoned block.  Eamon and Justin have flown the coop to Deejay in the UK as of November of 2014, now that the summer/fall season is over, but have a look at their website to see what they are up to: http://mistersaturdaynight.com

Here's a snap from a Mister Sunday party in June of 2014:

Here's the view out my studio window looking down at the party area.  It was being prepped for a Karaoke event.  Bocce Ball court on the lower right, with the Pizza vendor set up just to the right of the court.  Delicious!

"Annie" 2013

We are 3/4's of the way through shooting a new version of the musical "Annie".  Am working with the wonderful designer Renee Ehrlich Kalfus and having a great time juggling gritty and luxe looks while updating this beloved musical.  It has been terrific to have NYC as a back drop and the talent attached to this film have been extraordinary.

Cameron Diaz started her portion of the filming a week ago and the Paparazzi have set up embankments watching her every move.  This is the first film I've worked on where I've seen video takes posted online (by folks not associated with the movie).

Here's a little fun press link on Cameron's "Ms. Hannigan" look and first week on the job.  FYI: those "local youngsters" are the girls playing Annie's foster sisters in the movie:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2507708/Cameron-Diaz-does-double-dutch-skipping-high-heels-Miss-Hannigan.html

Not all the actors on "Admission" were human, so a little herding was in order.  Lots of fun to mix it up with a variety of species...

Not all our Bovine friends felt quite ready for their close ups, so it took a little doing...

Another day at the office!

Just completed principal photography on "Admission", working with Aude Bronson Howard.  Paul Weitz directed, Tina Fey, Paul Rudd and Lily Tomlin starred with a great assortment of wonderful actors.  Here's the IMDB link:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1814621/combined

It's a real treat to work on a well-written project with so many smart and funny people.  Also delightful to finish photography before what may be the hottest days of summer.  Am awaiting the release of "The Wedding", which we shot last summer, sometimes shopping in 100 degree heat.  Hooray for air conditioning and a little summer vacation!

"I Don't Know How She Does It" coming out soon...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn_OrhwIidA

Commercials for "IDK" are now hitting TV screens near you and the movie will hit the big screen on Sept. 16th!