On a recent production trip to New Orleans, our crew found itself looking for something to do after our video shoot was postponed by rain.

Driving through the Garden District, our silver-maned DP, Fernando, spotted a barber shop and mentioned that he could probably use a good haircut. I guess he was looking a bit scruffy after a few months in Ecuador.

With a van full of camera equipment and a crew eager to shoot something, we decided we couldn’t just let Fernando enjoy a fine haircut while we sat idly by. Let’s shoot this thing!

We jumped out of the van, with two 7Ds in hand, and burst through the door of the unsuspecting Barber Shop asking if we could not only get a haircut, but also document the whole process. The answer from the accommodating staff was a resounding “uhh… I don’t see why not”.

The incomparable Tim Sessler and I spent the next twenty minutes in an improvisational two-camera shoot – trying not to get in each other’s way – while our skillful barber trimmed up Fernando to the tunes of New Orleans’ own Little Freddy King playing on the shop radio.

It was the perfect antidote to our rainy day blues and a great way to experience a slice of New Orleans culture.

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Shot By: Brandon Bloch & Tim Sessler
Cut By: Brandon Bloch
Featuring: Fernando Ortega as “The Silver Fox”
Thanks to: Henry Fernandez (for going along with the plan
Music: “Fox Hunt” by Little Freddie King (Support New Orleans local music – littlefreddieking.com )

An Extra Special Thanks to The Magazine Street Barber Shop and its staff – magazinestbarbershop.com

Client: Lincoln / Ford
Agency: Ogilvy PR
Director: Brandon Bloch
Co-Director: Caleb Stewart
Shooters: Brandon Bloch, Tim Sessler, Steven Greenstreet, Emily Paup
Editors: Caleb Stewart (Up Gallery), Brandon Bloch (Unveiling)

We road tripped along the Gulf Coast, exploring some of the most beautiful parts of the country, experiencing the culture, eating amazing food, and meeting some exceptional characters. For a total of 18 days we traveled throughout Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. We searched for the best stories and characters we could find… people who depend on the Gulf and interact with it on a daily basis.

Our small team consisted of myself (Directing and Shooting), Fernando Ortega (Shooting), and our agency producer (Being Awesome). Armed with two Canon 7Ds and a Sony F3 (plus a few other toys) we documented the whole experience to create a series of 20 videos we call “My Gulf”.

The series was commissioned by BP in support of the recovery of the region following last year’s oil spill. Though I wasn’t sure what to expect at the start of this experience, I was amazed to discover a region recovering really well. And along the way, I met some of the most hard-working and good-natured people I’ve ever met, each interacting with the Gulf in their own unique way. I felt privileged I was able to help document their culture and tell their stories.

Produced by an amazing team at Ogilvy PR
Director: Brandon Bloch
Director of Photography: Fernando Ortega
Second Shooter: Brandon Bloch
Editor & Story Craftsman: Caleb Stewart