Notes from the field: Jennifer Louise Shoot - Location #2

Due to the extreme time constraints of this job, location scouting and art direction was being very rushed. As much as I was unhappy with the situation, failure was not an option. The deadline was much closer than comfort would allow.

I drove up to the bar, and had a look around. Then I had a beer. or three.

I hated it. It was too small inside to light well, too busy not to have it take away from the main subject, and I would have to shoot after hours, so I would need to supply my own extras. As to the outside area, it just seemed to busy, a bit "touristy", and not the look I had in mind for the shots we needed.

Of course, when I told the client where I had been, and what I thought of the place, I was greeted with "I love that bar!" as a retort.

So the stage was set, and a couple nights later we trekked off to the bar near closing time, ready to take over and make it mine as soon as the last customer left.

It was a cold night in the desert, so cold in fact that Jenn had to remain in her street clothes until I was ready to start shooting. Note to self: Cold in the desert at night - Bring jackets for cast and crew (That would be me and Jennifer)! Two hours of setup later, we were ready to go.

There is a point to this rambling...

The shots we got in the bar that night are some of the best of the series.

I was reminded of a couple things. Always listen to the client. As much as we think we know it all, they are the ones we need to please. Second, and as important, remember to work with what you have, give it 110%, and you can turn the worst situation into a success story every time!

Third, don't expect your client to throw on a sexy little dress at an outdoor stage in the middle of the night in the desert if you didn't bring a damn thick parka along for her...