Random thoughts as I wait in the Philly airport...
So Philly and Allentown - wee-little Lehigh Valley International Airport - have free wi-fi but not Boston? BAH, I say.
- I was worried about how this weekend would work out. Leaving, I couldn't be happier with how everything went. My partner, Dower, and I worked really well together and were able to compliment each other on the shoot.
- The Jonas Brothers are like fun-size human-beings. Even the oldest could fit in your pocket. You could just plop a Jonas in your shirt pocket, feed him an M&M everynow and then, and be good to go.
- They are VERY good with their fans. We held a Q&A (pre-approved questions, of course) and the boys really did their best to engage with the kids. I think most of the kids were completely awestruck to be 2 feet from the Brothers so there wasn't a great back-and-forth.
- The shoot and Q&A was held at a Chevy dealership in Bethlehem, PA (Chevy 21 - Gotta give a shout out Greg!). Most of the kids had no idea why their parents were packing them into the car and taking their cellphones away. I got to witness the "reveal" when two kids found out they were going to meet the Brothers. Eyes go wide, jaw drops. I think one kids lip started to quiver. It was AWESOME!
- Of the 15 kids, I think 8 or 9 got to ask their questions. Time constrants cut off the Q&A before everyone had a chance. I was worried that we'd be breaking a few hearts. I checked in with a couple kids and parents afterwards and the ones I talked to didn't care, "I got to meet and get a picture taken with the Jonas Brothers! I don't care about the question." Perfect! Everyone should get a win out of this.
- I was real proud of my kids. I told em that time was tight and the best thing they could do to make sure they get as many questions in as they could was to make sure they memorized their questions so they could ask them clearly and quicklly. And I saw a bunch of them immediatly start memorizing their questions. And the ones that got to ask did great.
- Obviously, there were a bunch of parents and assorted other kids/families hanging around. They wanted to watch the Q&A and i said, "Yes, but everyone has to be quiet, no flash photography and shut your cellphones off." Again, everyone was awesome and not a problem at all. All the parents understood the situation - that a lot of the kids interactions couldn't be guarenteed and time would dictate how much they actually got to "meet" the Brothers. They seemed to appreciate my explaining (probably over explaining) the situation, what we could and couldn't guarentee and were very reasonable and understanding. Parents and kids are always a huge variable on shoots - never mind star struck kids and rock stars - and I can't think of one kid or parent that wasn't 100% easy-going and professional.
- I mentioned it last night and I'll say it again: Lotta MILFs in Allentown, PA.
- Bizzare Pennsylvania law: Liquer stores can not sell six packs. The smallest amount they can sell are 12 packs. BUT pubs can sell six-packs.
- Oh, rented a Mustang for the trip. LOVED IT! Drove extremely smooth and had great pick-up.
Looking forward to being home. Gotta get on the plane so no time for spellcheck. You'll forgive me, won't you?
- I was worried about how this weekend would work out. Leaving, I couldn't be happier with how everything went. My partner, Dower, and I worked really well together and were able to compliment each other on the shoot.
- The Jonas Brothers are like fun-size human-beings. Even the oldest could fit in your pocket. You could just plop a Jonas in your shirt pocket, feed him an M&M everynow and then, and be good to go.
- They are VERY good with their fans. We held a Q&A (pre-approved questions, of course) and the boys really did their best to engage with the kids. I think most of the kids were completely awestruck to be 2 feet from the Brothers so there wasn't a great back-and-forth.
- The shoot and Q&A was held at a Chevy dealership in Bethlehem, PA (Chevy 21 - Gotta give a shout out Greg!). Most of the kids had no idea why their parents were packing them into the car and taking their cellphones away. I got to witness the "reveal" when two kids found out they were going to meet the Brothers. Eyes go wide, jaw drops. I think one kids lip started to quiver. It was AWESOME!
- Of the 15 kids, I think 8 or 9 got to ask their questions. Time constrants cut off the Q&A before everyone had a chance. I was worried that we'd be breaking a few hearts. I checked in with a couple kids and parents afterwards and the ones I talked to didn't care, "I got to meet and get a picture taken with the Jonas Brothers! I don't care about the question." Perfect! Everyone should get a win out of this.
- I was real proud of my kids. I told em that time was tight and the best thing they could do to make sure they get as many questions in as they could was to make sure they memorized their questions so they could ask them clearly and quicklly. And I saw a bunch of them immediatly start memorizing their questions. And the ones that got to ask did great.
- Obviously, there were a bunch of parents and assorted other kids/families hanging around. They wanted to watch the Q&A and i said, "Yes, but everyone has to be quiet, no flash photography and shut your cellphones off." Again, everyone was awesome and not a problem at all. All the parents understood the situation - that a lot of the kids interactions couldn't be guarenteed and time would dictate how much they actually got to "meet" the Brothers. They seemed to appreciate my explaining (probably over explaining) the situation, what we could and couldn't guarentee and were very reasonable and understanding. Parents and kids are always a huge variable on shoots - never mind star struck kids and rock stars - and I can't think of one kid or parent that wasn't 100% easy-going and professional.
- I mentioned it last night and I'll say it again: Lotta MILFs in Allentown, PA.
- Bizzare Pennsylvania law: Liquer stores can not sell six packs. The smallest amount they can sell are 12 packs. BUT pubs can sell six-packs.
- Oh, rented a Mustang for the trip. LOVED IT! Drove extremely smooth and had great pick-up.
Looking forward to being home. Gotta get on the plane so no time for spellcheck. You'll forgive me, won't you?