We just finished shooting a couple of commercial spots for Fremont Rideout Health Group. Everyone there was warm and welcoming but our presence was a bit conspicuous no matter how low key we tried to keep it.
Medicine is very serious business. Filming a TV commercial is serious business as well, however the process of commercial production is…. well, more fun.
Our film crew is fairly large, director, producer, script supervisor, director of photography, sound engineer, assistant director, grips, gaffers, best boys, production assistants, etc. We fly in like gypsies and move through the hallways like a small army carrying a hundred heavy, expensive essentials on carts, dollies and on our backs. We take over an area and in a matter of minutes we turn the place into a sound stage.
Sounds like brutal hard work doesn’t it? Maybe it is. But it never feels like ‘work’. The feeling is always upbeat and fun. Lots of kidding, lots of laughter and never any negative vibes. When we are filming in such a serious setting we are reminded of the stark contrast we present.
We have a great crew. Like any tribe of professionals our company culture starts from the top down. Ariel our creative director is wildly brilliant, patient and kind. Chloe’ our producer is all business with an infectious smile and willingness to help with the most menial job without complaint. Raul our director of photography is a visual genius with an attitude of open wonder and cooperation. JP our copy writer is a walking dictionary filled with more literary knowledge than anyone I have ever met. Yet he is never aloof or condescending. This is not empty flattery, its just who they are.
Everyone from the top down is heard and all ideas are seriously considered no matter who they came from. Everyone is respected for their contributions and we all feel appreciated. The crew sees and reacts to this. They in turn continue with these dynamics throughout the set.
Each one of us at Monkey&Snake is allowed to rise to our own expectations. We set no minimum expectation to creativity, inspiration and hard work. Because we know each other so well we understand that our personal standards far exceed most companies highest employee expectations. We nurture a culture of success. We do not expect failure but embrace its lessons. Ariel and I chose each other as partners. We have been close friends and collaborators for over 25 years. We chose our team as they chose us. That’s Chemistry.
We have been getting lost of attention and our name is getting around quickly. When something is right, its just right. Our company Monkey And Snake is just right. Why? Because of Ariel, Chloe’, Raul, JP and yes sometimes even me.
