Designsensory recently attended London Fashion Week to cover Prophetik’s fall collection and conduct interviews for “Let Them Be Naked,” a sustainable documentary we are producing alongside Jeff Garner, Prophetik’s designer, and PopFizz.
Director of Original Development, Madelyn Cunningham, reflects on her time across the pond producing a documentary.
Documentary production starves every fiber of my being that requires certainty to survive yet I feel fuller than ever and buzzing to share a few lessons from the latest production leg of our Let Them Be Naked documentary.
1. Say Yes and then Figure It Out
You don’t have to know how you’re going to get there – just that you want to get there. I’ve discovered that once you say yes – the universe tends to double down on your energy and doors will open. In the field during a doc, opportunities will constantly crop up and may throw off your current path or schedule. Instead of remaining rigid – find a way to flow. Your project will thank you.
2. Stay Ready so you Don’t Have to Get Ready
You can’t yell “CUT!” and you can’t run it back. The key to capturing authentic moments is to remain present, engaged, and ready to get down and dirty if necessary, like our principal Joseph Nother.
3. Perfect Your Poker Face
I have made it a personal goal of mine to never let my face crack. And no, I’m not talking about wrinkles. I mean when even the most unexpected things happen in the field – my face remains calm and unfazed. Everyone on and around the set will reflect your level of confidence about any given situation – so as the Brits say – keep it calm, and carry on.
4. Take Care of the Team
You’re tired, they’re tired, we’re all tired. Throw in a little jet lag and everyone is toast. As a producer, I try to create small moments throughout the day that keep everyone going.
5. Leave it Better Than You Found It
In any location and with any interaction, it is important to me that we exit gracefully and graciously. Thank you notes, cookies from a local shop, or flowers are some of my favorite ways to thank the locations, subjects, local freelancers and interviewees we interact with on these productions.
Learn more about Let Them Be Naked: A Sustainable Fashion Documentary produced by Designsensory, Prophetik designer and eco-fashion pioneer Jeff Garner, and production partner PopFizz.
