Donnybrook Production Services

Over the past month, I’ve been collaborating with one of my regular agency clients on a comprehensive re-branding effort for the American Red Cross.  With ARC looking to update all of their existing first-aid course materials, Donnybrook and Agency Producer Michael DelPolito have been prepping for a handful of shoots in the Greater Philly region in the coming weeks.

With the need for first-aid training so pervasive, the shoots will represent all walks of life.  Our casting selects have been keeping our friends over at Philadelphia Casting Co on their toes, and Susan and Sam have been great to work with as always.  When all is said and done we’ll have booked nearly two-hundred talent…not to mention dozens of locations, a fleet of semi’s, and a school bus or two for added measure.  And we’ve amassed a fantastic crew once again, with a number of familiar faces and vendors in the ranks.  Thank you to Expressway Grip, DP Tom Fanelle, and Production Designer Mike Crenshaw for yet another stellar cooperative effort.  And a big shout-out to Erin @ the GPFO for all of her assistance along the way.

The fruits of our collective labors should hit the streets early next year, but here’s the Donnybrook produced spot that kicked it all off for these varied Red Cross co-op’s.  Directed by Josh Mawer, this one still ranks as one of my favorites.

There are always certain clients that you make an extra special effort to accommodate, and enjoy working with.  For me, Michael DelPolito, the Creative Producer at StayWell in Yardley, PA is high on that list.  So when Del came to me with the need to pull together a PSA, focusing on Water Safety & Awareness for the American Red Cross, I jumped at the chance to add to our growing list of successful collaborations to date.  After all, I just couldn’t let things remain this woefully outdated!  And while competing production commitments made it impossible for me to travel to Texas, to Field Produce the project, I assured him that Donnybrook could handle all of the prep & coordination logistics nonetheless.

In what’s becoming less of an anomaly, and more the status quo in general of late, the scheduling restraints and demanding location logistics made for an ambitious undertaking.  But by leveraging the well respected Red Cross brand, we were able to secure the complete cooperation of Sea World San Antonio, and maintain the project’s inherently quick turn around.

Sea World was great, and the week long shoot simply would not have come together without their tenacious support.  Equally integral in the project’s success was Entourage Modeling and Talent Agency, where Cindy and her team of casting professionals kept composure while filling all principal and background roles with equal spirit.  Del and I were also happy to enlist MP&E’s services once again, for all essential grippage and grunts…this time, taking advantage of their convenient Austin-based locale.  In the end, Donnybrook managed to help Del keep his head above water…minor sunburn not withstanding.

There’s something to be said for a gig that solidifies nearly two straight months of steady work…long live feature film opp’s!  However, I’m finding a number of fringe benefits to my current run as the UPM on “Backwards”, in addition to the welcomed financial stability.  Chief among those benefits has been a privileged glance behind the curtain of Philly’s very own Boathouse Row.

With more than a week’s worth of production along Kelly Drive, and pit stops at the Waterworks and Philadelphia Art Museum, we’ve set up camp in Vesper Boat Club…one of the more prominent rowing clubs along the waterfront stretch that is Boathouse Row.  Surrounded daily by more than a century’s worth of history, it’s been a humbling experience to say the least.  And the funny thing is, I’m one (of many, I’m sure) that’s come to take this world-famous strip of Philly real estate for granted.  I’ve driven, peddled, and even strolled past these houses countless times over the years, all the while largely oblivious to the daily goings on taking place on their docks.  It’s been fun to gain such all access status to such a historic location, and i’ll never look at this section of the Schuylkill the same way again.

In fairness, working for weeks on end with the talented crew and cast has been a noteworthy fringe benefit as well.  Director Ben Hickernell and I have been pals for years, so working with him was bound to be fun.  The film does, however, mark my first teaming with Line Producer Brian David Cange, and only my second with 1st AD Michael DelPolito…both of whom I look forward to subsequent collaborations with for sure.

With wrap looming ever closer, it will be equal parts refreshing to get some much needed R&R, yet a bit of a bummer to part ways with the crew…bittersweet.