PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS

FOR THE AGE OF COVID AND BEYOND

Our Story • Safe Shooting • Virtual Video Village • One Stop Shop • Our Directors

the age of covid-19

where we’ve been…

When commercial production closed down in March 2020, we, like everyone else, had no idea how long we’d be idle or what ad production would look like when it came back. All we were certain of was that it would come back — and we were determined to be ready for it.

To keep our directors active and sharp, we challenged them to make short films about life during quarantine. Their films can be viewed here: S&A Quarantine Films.

On June 15, 2020, LA began issuing permits again. Two weeks later, we were shooting on location with AICP safety protocols in place and with an outstanding video village streaming platform designed to give our off-site clients the most personal and immersive production experience possible.

Since re-opening, we have completed nearly 20 safe and successful projects for clients such as McDonald’s, Hyundai, Burlington, Choctaw Nation, IONOS, Fisher Investments, AAMCO, Food Lion, and JCPenney; and have shot in locales across the U.S. including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Dallas, Austin, Oklahoma, Nashville, North Carolina, Tampa Bay, and New York. We met a few new partners during this time, but many were repeat clients who knew they could lean on us and trust us to deliver their films to the highest standards of creativity without compromising health & safety.

where we are…

With each new job, our production prowess and leadership in this new era has continued to evolve to not only meet the challenges of COVID-19 but to excel at this – temporary – new normal. During our first few shoots in the pandemic, we produced some Behind The Scenes films to show our clients what our on-set COVID-19 health & safety protocols look like in action. Matt Miller, Chairman of the AICP, called Spears & Arrows a ‘case study’ in how to shoot during the pandemic. Those short docmentaries can be viewed here: S&A BTS Films

During this time, our Founder & Managing Director, Jason Wolk, inspired by the realities of COVID-19 and by his desire to help guide the industry through this difficult era, was elected to hold a seat on the AICP Board of Directors and has been working in that capacity toward the goal of keeping TV commercial production active and safe. And now, with the release of the COVID-19 Multi- Union Testing Agreement, US productions are among the safest in the world.

For every job, Spears & Arrows prepares contingency plans to protect our clients’ investment should a COVID-19 event arise. We are always ready to replace crew, pivot locations, or even move to another state to get the job done.

where we’ll always be…

But all of this behind-the-scenes effort has only one purpose — to support our clients and to tell their stories. At SPEARS & ARROWS, we hold the importance of storytelling right up there with the essential necessities of life. Like food and water feed our bodies, story feeds our senses and our souls.

The pressures and vagaries of modern spot production — now including pandemic restrictions and safety protocols — can make it difficult to stay true to a creative concept’s original intent. Despite these challenges, it is our primary mission to hold the creative line, to push the message, and to Defend The Story.

Our purpose is to provide our clients with affordable solutions to produce break-out content that moves, touches, inspires, and motivates our viewers. We love what we do and it shows. Just ask anyone who has worked with us.

we are here for our client partners

Spears & Arrows is founded on the simple values of personal ethics, honest transparency, and compassionate humanity, and we believe that it is these values as much as our stellar creative team that continues to bring our clients back time after time.

SAFE SHOOTING!

Following guidelines published by the CDC, the AICP, and the Departments of Public Health in the cities in which we shoot, we follow a simple set of safety protocols for prep, shoot, and wrap that includes (but is not limited to) theses procedures:

• Our Testing Coordinator arranges a COVID-19 PCR test for all crew, cast, and clients prior to engagement

• Our Compliance Manager oversees all on-set safety protocols

• Daily health screenings are conducted by a licensed medic

• We provide PPE for all cast, crew, and clients.

• We provide personal sanitizing stations for hand washing and sanitizing

• A set Sanitizing Crew regularly cleans and sanitizes all high-touch surfaces

• We establish zones and schedule on-set work to allow social distancing

• Meals and craft service are individually wrapped

virtual video village

For our clients who are unable to attend a shoot, we provide an immersive on-line experience.

• Streaming video assist with playback.
• A Zoom-style interactive space for conversation and feedback.
• Area cams showing the set environment (on request)
• Live-tech support monitoring our stream from first take to camera wrap.
• An on-set virtual video village producer to be directly available to our on-line clients full-time and to liaise with our director, line-producer and Assistant Director.
• Our clients will never be left alone in cyberspace wondering if anyone is listening to them.

one stop shop

SHOOT • DESIGN • ANIMATION • MOTION GRAPHICS • EDITORIAL & FINISHING

At Spears & Arrows, we don’t just have the best international storytellers in the world, we can also provide an ‘all-in’ production-through-post solution whenever needed. Our directors can provide creative direction for any project requiring shooting, editorial, design, motion graphics, or animation. We partner with the very best specialists in each of these disciplines, so that we can meet our clients’ unique needs on every project.

OUR DIRECTORS

USA • Canada • Iceland • UK • Europe • South Africa • Australia

All of our directors travel and work internationally but during this unique moment in history, with travel uncertainty and with countries continuing to open, close and re-open, we understand that where a director is in the world can be an important factor.

So here’s the scoop.

Jon Barber

USA • UK

Jon Barber’s humor is intelligent, dry, and subtle. You rarely catch him smiling — but you always see him laughing.

Don BROIDA

USA

Don is a director and editor with a deep and nuanced sense for design, character, and emotion. Don is game for anything. He’ll travel to the ends of the earth or create a film in his own backyard.

Phil Brown

CANADA

Phil Brown has a camera in his hands almost constantly. He carries one throughout the prep and production of every job, so that he can capture little snippets of additional footage and scenery that always adds scope and texture to his spots. His work with both actors and non-actors and his naturalistic and immersive camera language grounds his films in authenticity.

ROBIN GOODE

South Africa

Robin Goode is an award winning director, photographer, and visual artist who creates cinematic films that are beautiful and full of unique, fully-realized characters.

DAVID HICKS

Canada

David’s humor is dry and understated. In his past life he was as an editor, so he possess a very developed sense of storytelling and the ability to shoot for the edit.

Arni Thor Jonsson

USA• UK • Iceland

Arni is a descendant of Vikings and is living proof that they had a sensitive side. His films are warm, humorous, and touching slices of humanity. He also owns one of the oldest and most established production service companies in Reykjavik, also a long-time partner of ours, Republik Film Productions.

AGO PANINI

EUROPE

Ago lives within sight of the Basilica and his favorite restaurant. Art and food are highly valued but they are only a couple of the many genres his unique storytelling has mastered. He shoots cars, fashion, celebrities, and food with a connoisseur’s passion and conviction.

Nick Piper

USA • EUROPE

Nick specializes in innovative design and storytelling. His outstanding performances and exuberant camera language are focused and directed by his thoughtful and methodical voice. Just watch his reel. You’ll see what we mean.

Michael Shapiro

USA

Michael Shapiro specializes in intimate characters and relationships, sumptuous visuals, naturalistic performances and, emotionally honest storytelling. His work feels like a sumptuous documentary but every moment is thoughtfully cultivated.

David Stoddart

USA • UK

David has made a career out of directing virtually. He began as an award winning hidden camera director, and then created his own genre called “discreet camera” utilizing remote direction. So, aside from being wildly creative and a lot of fun to work with — the current conditions are business as usual for him.

Michael Uppendahl

USA

Michael Uppendahl is one Hollywood’s most coveted TV directors having directed more episodes of Fargo, Ray Donovan, American Horror Story, and Mad Men than any other director. His work on the Netflix series Hollywood received wide praise and he continues to partner with J.J. Abrams. His latest project for American Crime Story stars Clive Owen as Bill Clinton. Uppendahl IMDB Credits

Wondo

EUROPE

Bernd “Wondo” Wondollek is a director/DP who shoots around the globe for iconic automotive brands, including Audi, Porsche, Chevrolet, Bugatti, and Mercedes Benz. He is widely considered to be one of the best Russian Arm DP’s in the world. Give him a car and he’ll shoot the sh*t out of it.

Mick Wong

UK • AUSTRALIA

Mick’s work is beautiful, ethereal, emotional, and honest. Whether it’s cars, technology, insurance, or biscuits, he makes you feel the magic.

iN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

While the world was sheltering at home, Spears & Arrows produced these short films about life during the pandemic.

Enjoy!

Play

Contact Us

If you any questions about our capabilities, our directors, or what we can offer, please call me or drop me an email.

Jason Wolk
jason@spearsandarrows.tv
(213) 804-4743

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