Here at Down Poor Pictures, we don't often work on anything comedy related. Our goal has been to move from genre to genre so it is not because we refuse, but the jobs we get tend to be aimed at a more serious purpose. Such as the PSA peice we did for Open Heart Arts, a wonderful organization and experience. They came to us with an idea about shooting a video to send to Ellen DeGeneres, who was doing some kind of campaign to give away vehicles to those in need. The students created art with letters to send along in a large package. The students and the staff were amazing. We shot the video and agreed to do it quick and cheap as donation. We are told that the package was sent but no response ever was. I have posted the video along with this. I think it is a cause worth watching.
Serious causes however, is not our only work. In our free time we have shot many short concepts, sometimes on our cellphones. In this format we have begun doing things aimed at a comedic or more viral output. The truth is that my business partner and I are not drawn to be in front of the camera. We would prefer not to be, but it seems clear that if you want people to watch your work they have to know you exist.
Sometime Sam or I, or both have to wait until we have had a few drinks before we work up the courage to do a video. This has created a kind of "I did it bigger, crazier..." dare. First he talked on camera, so I had to. Then I did something funny. So he had to. Then he did something a little more outrageous. A lot of this has happened without us posting the videos because their value has been intensely stifled by our own nervous delivery or lack of plot. It is funny how often you work hard to get over your own nerves and you end up forgetting to come up with a plot for your video or a purpose. As a result we have a lot of videos with us just looking at a camera and saying "check out www.downpoorpictures.com".... and nothing else.
Thanks to Bailey Townley our videos have found focus. She became our first full-time employee, working no other job but with us... however only receiving pay when we make money. So we are still making steps to a large Down Poor. We now have another employee or ..team if you will. The Kaufmans, Mike and Danielle, have been working for us in a technical capacity. Networking our multiple computer office, designing work for us in After Effects, and fixing issues with our computer hardware. Mike has even stood in as security, being a bails bondsman and armed bad ass he has become handy in many ways. People working for us is just the beginning because we recently expanded our stock of gear. We have two new cameras, a steadi cam, a few lights and so much more. I will write more about this later I am sure. The truth is we are growing up as a company and as people. Much like a child with an obsessed father wielding a camcorder, our growth is being capture on high def for us to remember, whether we like it or not.
