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Big Teeth Intern Danny McCarthy at the plate: Locavore Dinner Video

 

As a small business we have to be creative in the way we operate - both in who we employ and in the projects we choose to take. This blog post is a convergence of those two things - we allowed our intern Danny McCarthy to oversee a project for the “Locavore” movement and he writes about his experience below. The final video is at the bottom of this blog post.

Last month I worked on a project for a friend of Big Teeth Productions - a video about the Locavore Movement focusing on a dinner held at the Hopleaf bar and restaurant that was put on by food scientist Jim Javonkoski, Michael Roper (owner of the Hopleaf) and Ben Sheagren (Executive chef of the Hopleaf).  

This project was brought to the Teeth by Jim with no money but a good heart so it was embraced. Because of the lack of budget and more relaxed schedule I was given the chance to produce  it on my own, under Elise and Gregg’s guidance. Initially, I took this opportunity as a way to gain more experience working on different aspects of projects from start to end; but through the experience I gained a greater appreciation for the local food movement. One of the things that really helped with the production of the video was all of the participants passion for the cause.

(See Video)

PRODUCTION
One thing that I enjoyed was actually shooting the event. I didn't have much experience shooting and this gave me a chance (especially because it was an event) to experiment and get more comfortable with operating a camera. The Hopleaf was a good setting and everyone seemed relaxed,  so I was able to get some great interviews with guests.  However, one thing that I had been taught but really became ingrained in me by this experience is that as much as you want it to, a camera cannot capture anywhere near what the human eye can. The lighting at the event was very dim as it was an intimate candlelit setting – great for ambiance, not ideal for shooting. While not what I would have preferred, it gave me a lesson on planning ahead and troubleshooting.

POST-PRODUCTION
After loading the footage from the event it was clear that something was needed to shed some light on the project, literally and figuratively. So, I returned to the Hopleaf and sat down with Jim, Michael, and Ben. I found a location away from where most of the customers were - the only issue being that they were doing some noisy prep work on the floor below. While not ideal, it was okay because it captured the ambiance of a restaurant and was only an issue when they started aggressively banging what I assume were iron pots together (or at least that's what it sounded like).

Earlier, I mentioned how passionate my subjects were and this was clearly evident while filming the interviews. They had a lot to say. A lot. This was another learning experience for me. If this was a documentary about sustainable agriculture and the benefits of being part of a local food system, this wouldn't have been an issue, but with the video being geared for the web, the target length was around two minutes. At a certain point I had to direct the interviewees to give shorter, to-the-point responses. This helped a bit... so did editing. This second day of shooting completely changed the video. Besides the interviews, I got B-roll of the interior and exterior of the Hopleaf and its kitchen which filled in some blanks. With this second day of shooting, doing some color correction and laying B-roll and some graphics over the darker of the shots, I was able to make it work.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Though I’ve mainly discussed the production aspects of this experience, I have to say something about the food.  During the event I had a plate and glass on the side and got to sample the various courses.  With Jim and Michael’s beer knowledge combined with Ben’s culinary skills, the dinner was great.  I am a beer fan and an amateur foodie and the pairings were on point and delicious.

Overall, I have to say that while I’ve worked on many projects with various levels of involvement, I’ve come out of this experience with a higher level of gratification gained through being the sole creator of the project from beginning to end.

The final video is here so let me know what you think about my first independent project at Big Teeth Productions.
Note: Learn more at http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/eatlocal/ or Jim’s blog at http://www.localfoodwisdom.blogspot.com/

SXSW 2010: A “Teaser” to 2011

I’m feeling exhausted and achy, have very little voice left and can’t wait to sleep in my own bed! But the weirdest thing is that I still want to turn around and get back to Austin! In fact, if I were able to, I’d have already booked my flights and hotel for next year… unless we decide to pack up Big Teeth and actually MOVE down to Austin before 2011.

What an experience! And one without a BADGE.  I read several blogs prior to heading to Austin about people’s experiences without badges, most seemed positive – and my experience was no different.  Being in Austin only 3.5 days, there were only a handful of panels I really wanted to attend and I didn’t think I could hit more than 2-3 films a day plus wasn’t that particular about which ones -so costs didn’t add up.   Waiting in line even with a film badge wasn’t appealing – but going 15 minutes before a show to see if there are extra tickets, seemed to be the way to go – especially if the film was at the Paramount. 

I had no badge but I WAS armed with business cards, bookmarks, recipe cards, stickers and pins for both Big Teeth and Fooditude.  It was especially funny to meet people, then figure out if they’d rather me put on my Big Teeth or Fooditude hat.  One thing was certain, I met way more people than I’d ever imagined meeting and people that may have NEVER known about either of my companies had we not ended up in the same elevator, shuttle, line for a film or in the same row at a panel. 

I made it to 4 Film Screenings (all of which were great) and 3 Interactive panels, and a handful of parties (only one that I tried to go to and couldn’t, being badgeless).  I can only imagine how much I’ll be able to do next year if I have a little more time to plan and don’t have to spend a day just trying to get the lay of the land. 

 A few things I learned:

• I really like Austin!
• If badgeless and you can handle the anxiety and you only have a few panels you really want to go to, hide behind a tall friend and carry a very large bag in front of you.
• If you have a friend that stays out later than you and you KNOW won’t be up first thing in the AM for a panel you want to go to, convince them to lend you their badge!
• Make friends with people that are only there for a couple days, seems everyone wants to share the love and offers up their badges or shuttle bracelets to others before they head out of town.  WHY NOT?!?!
• The shuttles from hotels outside of the city were wonderful, but I’d still prefer to stay in the city!
• Never be afraid to chase a car down that's leaving an event you're to ask for a ride, especially if its raining
• If you like food, Austin is a great town, but don’t just eat on 6^th street, that’s not where the good stuff is.
• Austin is a really great city for vegetarians and breakfast lovers!  (2 things I am) Even if I didn’t have a chance to hit up any of Citizen Taco (Austin Food blogger) I’d read before my trip but had the privilege of meeting in person while there)’s top spots for breakfast tacos, I found that even the bad ones were great.

 I see my experience as a taste of what is to come in the future.  Until next year SXSW!

Can Small Business Owners be Spontaneous?

I’m not the most spontaneous person. Most people who know me would agree. Normally typing my to-do list instead of handwriting it is as “out there” as I get. There are only 2 truly spontaneous things I’ve done as an adult:  Left New York City to move to Chicago with NO job and few industry connections; and quit my full time job to bum around Costa Rica for a month – but that’s where it ends. 

Since becoming a business owner those decisions seem CRAZY.  I over-think every decision, weigh the pros and cons and make sure its what’s best for Big Teeth, and us both in terms of creativity and of course money.

But then last week within 36 hours of the idea coming up, I booked a flight to Austin, Texas only 7 days later to head to South by Southwest (or SXSW for those in the know) an interactive and film festival. I’ve wanted to go to for years but always had an excuse why I couldn’t attend, usually it was money, or lack there of.   What made this year different?  Perhaps I see the potential of increasing Big Teeth’s visibility and reaching outside of Chicago. Perhaps there’s comfort in the fact that I know more people going this year than in the past. Perhaps I should just stop wondering why and leave it to the feeling in my gut, something I usually trust.

Despite my impulsive decision, just minutes after booking my flight I thought, “Am I crazy?”  Which brings about the question – Am I doing a disservice to my company leaving for 4 days?  Will any current clients think we’re putting fun in front of their needs or will they respect the decisions we make for our business?  I hope in this case and in future cases it’s the later because I’m kinda liking this new leaf I’ve turned.