The challenge of traditional workflows…

The planning, budgeting, scheduling and disruptive risks of producing or updating the visual assets of a Resort or Hotel can be incredibly daunting. And when those assets are so critical to the emotive sale of an experience, finding a team who is as good productively as they are creatively can leave many directors in a very difficult place. Oftentimes, due to the expedited nature of production, the logistics, liabilities and budget constraints can often overwhelm the objective of capturing the visual assets that are key in building a brand and converting customers.

 

WITH OVER A DECADE IN RESORT, ARCHITECTURAL, AND LIFESTYLE PRODUCTION, WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER A PRODUCTION MODEL THAT IS DESIGNED TO EASE THE BURDEN OF RUSHED, STRESSFUL PRODUCTION AND IS GUARANTEED TO TAKE THE VISUAL IMAGERY OF YOUR PROPERTY TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

  • 3 Week Progressive Shoot Model



    Traditional vs. Progressive

    4-6 person, on-the-clock crew
    1 week, highly condensed and rushed production
    Heavyweight hot light gear and grip equipment
    Disruptive, less mobile crew & less flexible schedule
    Vulnerability to weather conditions in shorter timeframe
    Condensed, disruptive room blocks for shoot & larger crew
    Delayed 2-3 week post production deliverables

    STRESSFUL & CONDENSED, HIGHLY DISRUPTIVE PRODUCTION
    LARGE CREW DAY RATES

    2 person, around-the-clock multi-diciplined crew
    3 week, well scheduled and perfectly crafted work
    Lightweight, specialized equipment for precise light painting
    Smaller, more nimble crew adaptable to circumstances
    Agile schedule adaptable to weather conditions
    Spaced out, room blocks for shoot & smaller crew
    On-site post work & delivery of signature shots

    LESS STRESSFUL, WELL PLANNED & OPTIMIZED PRODUCTION
    SMALL CREW DAY RATE (INCLUDES POST WORK)



    .

    The result is a more manageable workflow, a small, nimble crew onsite full time, a precisely tuned budget, and finely polished assets delivered onsite that will serve your brand for years.

    .

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    .


  • The Economics

    Our approach rethrottles the budget in a smarter, leaner, and more efficient way. A traditional 1 week intense shoot requires a larger, more disruptive crew, and delayed 2-3 week delivery of post-worked assets. We’ve come up with a way to refine the budget with a small, nimble, low-impact specialized crew, highly adaptable to weather conditions, events, and capable of producing post-worked, onsite deliverable assets that are finely tuned.

    __



    A smarter, slower burning, budget enabling an efficient high producing workflow.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    …


The Aesthetics

For us, photography is more the study and control of light than anything else so having the latitude to produce photography around optimal lighting conditions makes all the difference. A well organized production that utilizes morning and evening lighting coupled with a precise light painting technique allows for a smaller crew and a more hand-crafted, finely tuned approach to a polished shot. Another aspect to light is weather – the one variable we cannot plan, schedule, or fully rely on. In a 1 week intensive shoot, this weather variable can bit hit or miss, putting your investment at risk. A more extended production timeframe not only gives us the ability to work around these events, but take advantage of them when possible.

 

.
Traditional 3 point hot light configuration
(setup & post work – 2 hrs)

20 point speed light painting technique
(setup & post work – 3.5 hrs)

.




A little elbow room makes a big difference.

  • The Work

     


     

     

    TRAVEL+LIFESTYLE PORTFOLIOARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIOFOOD & RESTAURANT PORTFOLIO


    “Eric Russell was a fresh perspective for Deer Valley Lodging. He has attitude and talent of professionalism. Eric photographs in a way that illustrates a new representation of what is in front of you. His photography of our properties is distinctive and unconventional yet elegant and tasteful. Eric has rejuvenated the look of some of our older properties and defined class in our newer properties all with great work ethic.”


    Becky Rosenthal, Deer Valley Lodging

Film+Motion

The planning, budgeting, scheduling and disruptive risks of producing or updating the visual assets of a Resort or Hotel can be incredibly daunting. And when those assets are so critical to the emotive sale of an experience, finding a team who is as good productively as they are creatively can leave many directors in a very difficult place. Oftentimes, due to the expedited nature of production, the logistics, liabilities and budget constraints can often overwhelm the objective of capturing the visual assets that are key in building a brand and converting customers.
 

.
.


WITH OVER A DECADE IN RESORT, ARCHITECTURAL, AND LIFESTYLE PRODUCTION, WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER A PRODUCTION MODEL THAT IS DESIGNED TO EASE THE BURDEN OF RUSHED, STRESSFUL PRODUCTION AND IS GUARANTEED TO TAKE THE VISUAL IMAGERY OF YOUR PROPERTY TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

  • Production Efficiencies

    Of course, we are creatives first. However, we pride ourselves in the ability to produce with speed and efficiency in order to maximize the production value of each project. This model is not only a result of over a decade of production experience all over the world, but the by product of a combined 25 years of Producing and Directing (Lauren) and Commercial Art Direction and Advertising (Eric). Everything we do is rooted in marketing forethought, and oftentimes because of this objective-driven approach, we often find ourselves integrating into our clients marketing teams throughout the process. We would not want it any other way.

    Below is a breakout of the general production workflow we follow as well as a sample production schedule specific to this innovative approach:



    PRE-PRODUCTION

    Comprehensive Planning

    • Clearly defined budget proposals, work orders and releases.

    • Comprehensive documentation (Creative Brief, Production Schedule, One Sheet, etc.) defining schedule, logistics, creative and strategic objectives.

    • Onsite scouting (first week) allow us to be detailed and specific and is documented in well defined production documentation (Shot Lists, Props, etc.).

    • With the additional production time, Crew and Management are capable of finalizing details on location and in person adding relevance and improved communication around complex requirements.

    PRODUCTION

    Maximum Productivity, Minimal Impact

    • Shots are strategically scheduled for morning and evening shooting where the light is on it’s edge and at it’s best.

    • A smaller crew and expanded production time results equals less impact on property, minimal disturbance of guest and less concentrated room blackouts.

    • Specific and well refined shoot techniques require less heavy equipment and can be produced with a smaller crew (i.e. speed lights vs hot lights, plated – overnight shoots in heavy traffic areas, etc.)

    POST-PRODUCTION

    Perfectly Tuned and Progressively Delivered

    • Progressive, on site post work during non-shooting hours (high light, weather days) optimizing daily production time.

    • Scheduled weekly reviews of pre-defined signature shots help us perfectly tuned the post work, and allow for better client involvement and progressive delivery of pre-defined signature shots. (see sample production schedule).

    • Balance of assets (remaining signature, lifestyle and detail shots) will be delivered no more than 2 weeks from the completion date.


     

     

    SAMPLE PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

  • Your Producer

    Having immersed myself in Eric’s work, observing him in action for a long time, I am continually impressed with his precision and work ethic. He lives and breathes it – creating, perfecting, developing, refining, producing… He is an artist, a professional, and a true craftsman.

    Over the past 15 years, I’ve been exposed to a myriad of productions and workflows. I’ve learned that the biggest crews actually aren’t the most efficient. The expertly refined light painting technique we use simply doesn’t require a large brute crew. It’s just not necessary nor does it add any more value to the work. Working smarter not harder. That is what we represent.

    Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have and I look forward to meeting your specific needs, creatively, strategically, and logistically.





    Producer+Manager

    –

    917.923.0696

    lauren@ericrussellphotography.com

VIEW SAMPLE BUDGET