I spent the past two weeks Location Managing and co-Production Managing a commercial shoot for Cooley Dickinson’s new advertising campaign.
We filmed two sets of interviews/conversations between former patients of the hospital describing their experiences. We filmed at The Bars Farm in Deerfield and The Academy of Music in Northampton. We used equipment from Lime Light Productions
In addition to my usual location duties I helped line up crew and deal with some additional logistics. Using the Berkshire Film & Media Commission and newenglandfilm.com I managed to fill most positions locally except for craft services, wardrobe, 1 PA, and hair/make-up. So, if you’re looking to break into the business in Western Mass, there are some good places to start!
We had a delicious meal catered by Nancy Jane’s Catering of Amherst in the Dynamite Space in the basement of Thornes to get us through our day.
The producers, director, and some key crew were from Kansas City, Missouri and while they were in town they ate at restaurants throughout the valley including Sylvester’s, Carmelina’s, Eastside Grill, Judies, The Northampton Brewery and made use of rooms at the Hotel Northampton left emptied by Irene. They even did a little clothes shopping and bought some UMass baseball caps as souvenirs.
For a 1 day shoot they put quite a bit of money into the community at a time when it was dearly needed. It wasn’t a very high profile production as far as star power or glitz and glamour but everyone who I spoke to in the area was excited to have them around.
The out of town crew and producers were all very taken with western Mass and look forward to shooting here again as well as coming back on their own time as tourists. One of them even has an interesting concept for an online series and is considering relocating the production here to take advantage of the tax credit.
Perhaps more importantly, the Western Mass crew were very encouraged that a production like this could come together so quickly and smoothly in Western Mass. They spend much of their time commuting to Boston and NYC and would much rather be able to work closer to home. Like myself and the Berkshire Film & Media Commission they are committed to increasing production in Western Mass.
If you want to see more production like this happen in Western Mass, please consider donating to the Berkshire Film & Media Commission. Your donations will not only help provide jobs closer to home for those already in the industry but also create new opportunities for others in Western Mass to get their start.
If a small, one day shoot can bring as much to the local economy and community as this commercial did just imagine the impact of a full feature film and a steady stream of short shoots like this one.. You can donate by clicking here and make sure you tell them The Location Reservoir sent you!
And of course if you are interested in having your property considered for future shoots please email me to discuss being added to the location database. As you can see once you’re a part of the Reservoir I take every opportunity to promote your property and business both before and after a shoot takes place there.
Also, thank you to the Northampton Center For The Arts, R. Michelson’s Gallery, and APE Gallery for allowing me to scout their properties for consideration for this project.
Here are a few photos I grabbed with my iPhone while on set. You may recognize some of the folks in them.
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