Traveling and storytelling go hand in hand.
We might be a Baltimore video production company, but our work at Early Light Media takes us all over the world. We love spending time on location. It allows us to understand a story on a deeper level, get to know the people we are profiling, and better serve our clients. Because we only have a limited time to spend on-location, we work hard to make every moment count.
Recently, ELM Producers Jessica Baroody-Saada and Jonathan Mount did just that on a week-long filming project in Nashville. We partnered with Workiva, an accounting software company, to provide video production services during “Amplify,” an annual conference where Workiva brings investors and customers together to network and navigate issues facing their industry.
ELM produced a range of projects over the course of the week. We ran a livestream, filmed 12 interviews for customer testimonials, and edited a Reel recapping the event for social media. It was a busy trip with a lot of moving parts to navigate, but thanks to their seamless teamwork, Jessica and Jonathan succeeded with each project. In one case, they had to reconfigure the logistics of a shoot just hours before, when they were filming a project for Investor Day.
“We made it through by being patient and thorough with each other,” said Jessica, “and ultimately by trying to have a good time with one another amidst so many moving parts.”
This was Jessica and Jonathan’s second on-location trip together, and the pair make a great team. They succeeded in completing a large range of projects for Workiva over a short period of time, and they bonded as co-workers while they did.
They kept a positive attitude during the busy days and explored downtown Nashville at night. A trip highlight came when the two were exploring “Painter’s Alley,” a street in downtown Nashville full of small music venues. They stumbled across a live jam session with local musicians at a blues bar. The fun adventures helped them stay excited about the project and spark creativity, even as stress and homesickness arose.
“I feel lucky to work with Jessica,” said Jonathan. “She’s an organized and communicative coworker. She brings a level of efficiency and ease to our trips that’s truly remarkable.”
When filming on location, things never go exactly as planned. It’s essential to adapt to unexpected obstacles, communicate with your team members, and manage stress effectively throughout. Our ELM team is proud of how well Jessica and Jonathan did just this during their time in Nashville.
“Jon is not only a great coworker, but a great travel partner as well,” said Jessica. “I feel confident whenever I’m with him that everything will go smoothly. And even when there are hiccups, his calming presence and demeanor help keep my nerves settled and perspective sound.”
