Viacom/Paramount

Paramount: Show promotion

This is one of the last projects I directed for Viacom/Paramount for Melissa McCarthy’s show on Paramount Network. I had just moved back to Maine and flew out to LA to direct the promotion on the famous CBS Radford Lot. It was a high pressure shoot because of the celebrity talent. From a creative perspective it was made easy because professional improve comedians just nail takes. DP Brian Callaghan breathed some life into an empty backstage space.

CMT: Show promotion

I flew to Nashville for this one to direct the cast of… “Nashville” for this promotion. The Bluebird night club is a famous local club in Nashville. It was such a key set for the show they painstakingly recreated the interior of club for the show. So this “Bluebird” is actually on a soundstage. I had to step in at the last minute for this one because my friend who was producing the shoot needed a director. I got to pull in my friend Marc Bloomgarden to be the cinematographer. We had fun playing with the set’s lighting board.

J&J Recycle

I got to direct this environmentally conscious spot for Johnson and Johnson at the Douglas House in Rockland County New York. Its an old house they made into a “TV house” equipped with commercial grade power and walls you can pull out of the way to place cameras. It was fun going through their photo album and seeing behind the scenes photos from classic SNL remote shoots that were filmed there. It’s a location a lot of advertising people are aware of (and sometimes get bored of). Me and my fantastic Director of Photographer Ki S. Hwang worked hard to make it feel fresh.

Liberty Mutual

I directed this spot on Fire Island. The best part about this shoot was working with my friend Joe Victorine as Director of Photography. He’s known for his intricate lighting but this shoot was mostly available light (sunlight and bounce). We had a great time out in the sunshine!

Country Crock

Back at the Douglas House with Ki S. Hwang as Director of Photography. They say the hardest people to direct are kids and animals; I had it easy with these two professional child actors. Everything about the set at this particular shoot was just great. I got to work with all of my favorite people including the client’s rep. I am a firm believe that good onset vibes and experiences create better work.