From February 18 - 20th, Eve's Lime Productions and The Limelight Project brought Los Angeles audiences a very special production of Eve Ensler's THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre. Under the direction of Ally Zonsius and produced by Sheila J. Hardy, the production moved fluidly from monologue to monologue taking the audience with them through a very entertaining and moving experience.

Kaiser Permanente Shoot - Eve's Lime Productions

I have been an entrepreneur for twenty years.  When I decided to start Eve’s Lime, I had this revolutionary idea that I want to enjoy my work.    So I developed a collaborative production model that allows me to do exactly that.  

This collaborative model is a philosophy that lays the groundwork for how the work gets done, how I interface with my clients, and it is a methodology for creating real stories with authentic voices.

I’ve been talking about my collaborative production model for a couple of years now.  And I’ve noticed recently other folks are out there using the term ‘collaborative’ to describe work environments that are in no way honoring a collaborative process.  I know this because I’ve worked in some on those "so-called" collaborative environments.

Myths about what collaboration actually means:

Myth #1:  Collaboration has nothing to do with money.  It’s not a way to find cheap labor.  With the current economy people are looking to collaboration as a means to save money.  Collaboration is not opportunistic.  It’s synergistic.

Myth #2: Collaboration has nothing to do with Sacrifice.  “We must all sacrifice our vision for the greater good. . . blah, blah, blah.”  Collaboration is not an exercise in compromise. 

Myth #3: Collaboration is not about power.  Everyone is equally valued because they bring something very essential for the completion of the project. Successful collaboration requires respect and valuing of what everyone brings to the table.  No one is marginalized in a collaborative model.

Collaboration is accessible space - which means it’s an open system, not a closed container.  This means you have the opportunity to get exactly what you need to create your best work.  You can accomplish anything with the right combination of collaborators!  So successful team-building is essential. 

There’s a special energy that comes forth on a production/set where the team has synergy.  There are many things to consider when hiring crew.  I use the following short list to weed out those who are absolutely not a good fit.

What a Viable Collaborator is Not:

-         A viable collaborator is not simply the person who will work for the least compensation or for free.

-         A viable collaborator absolutely does not include people who think they’re deigning to do you a huge favor (must be win-win)

A Viable Collaborator is:

1. Someone with whom you can create a win-win scenario.  
2. Willingly brings the skills or resources you need
3. Passionate about the project
4. Committed to the project’s success

Without these elements the work will ultimately generate varied degrees of drama and become more challenging and less enjoyable.

This Collaborative Model is humanistic.  Film production, in particular impacts the environment that it takes place in.  So it’s important to me that Eve’s Lime takes the community and the physical environment into consideration.  On my last shoot we talked to the people who lived near the location to find out their concerns about our presence there in the neighborhood, and were able to address their issues.  We carpooled, to reduce our carbon imprint as well as to reduce our impact on the neighborhood; and we donated left-over food and unused props. 

Collaborative Production is sustainable.  This means we maintain a balance between what we take what we give back.   That way we can have longevity in the work we do, as well as an impact that goes beyond our original circle of collaborators.

As I said before, “With the right combination of collaborators, you can accomplish anything.”

“Just as a diamond can only be polished by another diamond, it is only through genuine all-out engagement with others that people can polish their character, and help each other to reach greater heights.” 

I share this information because I want to see more people enjoy their work. I hope you will all continue to find ways to enjoy your work and to create value.  

The director search for my commercial arm is picking up. I found the second of 3 collaborators today. Her current body of work is amazing! Back to Nice & Rough. Established Eve's Lime's youtube channel today. Check it out,

Join Sheila Hardy this Monday, June 7, at IGNITE LA, where I'll be speaking about "Collaborative Production."
 
   V Lounge
   2020 Wilshire Boulevard
   Santa Monica, CA 90403-5608
   (doors open at 7:30)

Only a few seats are left. This event is FREE, but you must RSVP.   http://ignitela.eventbrite.com/

Many thanks to Lauren Pendergrass-Editor, from "Sons of Anarchy" for saving the day this week, and coming onboard as Editor for the Daniel's Place public service commercial.  You rock!

Here are more pics from this incredible day!  See credits below.  Thanks again to everyone!  Feel free to share your comments.


DP, Sandra Valde and her team, with actor, Danny Harrison


Make-Up artist, Kellena Shumate, actress, Dina Dawani, and AD, Ally Zonsius






CHEERS!!!!

DANIEL'S PLACE TEAM:

Executive Producer:  Women in Film - Varda Hardy
Producer:  Sheila J. Hardy
Director: Christy Fiers

Writing Team:
 - Elizabeth Bayne
 - Sheila J. Hardy
 - Christy Fiers
 - Francesca McCaffery

Director of Photography:  Sandra Valde
Casting Director: Gerrie Wormser
Casting: Steven Snyder, Snyder & Associates
Casting (extras): Ally Zonsius
Associate Producer: Cher Lytle
Assistant to Producer: Chanel Perry
Editor: Lauren Pendergrass
Music Supervisor:  Stefaniah McGowan, StefAngel Music Group

1st AD: Wanjiru Njendu
2nd AD:  Ally Zonsius
Production Coordinator: Clora Ferguson
1st AC: Cecilia Guerrero
2nd AC: Shaun Dixon
Loader: Alicia Varela
Gaffer: Vanessa Wolfe
Key Grip: Chung Ming Huang
Grip: Robin Mallard
Best Boy: Stephanie Yang
Grip/Electric Swing: Angella Hall, Craig Shannon, Jessica Pratt
Electrician: Koby Shimada
Sound Mixer: Jerry Wolfe
Script Supervisor: Kiran Kauer Saini
Production Design: Michele Costa-Baron
Hair/Make-Up: Kellena Shumate
PA's: Paula Minardi, Erin Li, Laree Griffith, Winnie Pan

BEHIND-THE-SCENES
Director, Elizabeth Bayne
DP, Kenny Han

ACTORS
Danny Harrison, as Drew
Dina Dawani, as Girl on Drum

EXTRAS:
Rita Khori
Nikia Dionne
Maria Castillo
Greg LaFratta
Darren Charles
Yesenia Cabrero
Mary Mather
Aleu Moana
Andres Cunningham
Lamar Little
Josh Kaplan
Drew Ivie
Jay Kyas

THANKS TO OUR VENDORS, TO DATE:
By Deluxe
Cinelease
JL Fisher
Galpin
Media Distributors

 A Few Members of the Daniel's Place  Team

This 90% FEMALE team rocked the house at Fais DoDo in LA - our location for the Daniel's Place shoot, for the Women in Film PSA Production program.  This program has allowed me to hone my skills over the years.  It brings together women from all aspects of the film industry, in an opportunity to create messages around powerful community issues and needs.  It is my pleasure to contribute to WIF and the community in this way.

Building a primarily, 'drama-free' collaborative of women in film is no easy task.  But we had an amazing, uneventful production day!  And the end product is going to be great!


Christy Fiers brings a mad history of skills as a seasoned DP to her role as Director.

Thanks to Everyone!!  More details to come. . . .

An important aspect of my work at Eve’s Lime Productions is to engage in collaborative relationships that create value for everyone involved – and my 5 year relationship with Women in Film is one such example.  This month I had the pleasure of producing another ad campaign for Women in Film’s award-winning PSA Production program.  Each year we produce five campaigns on 35mm and 5 on HD for selected non-profits to create awareness of issues that impact us all.  My designated organization, Daniel’s Place provides a network of peers, education, and services to youth (ages 18-28) in need of the skills and support systems to manage mental illness and daily life.  (www.danielsplace.org)

Members of the Eve’s Lime team volunteered their services, along with other Women in Film, volunteers of the organization, and the Hollywood community to create a public service commercial for this important and unique cause.

I was determined to make this production memorable for Daniel’s Place (which I’ll share more about in future blogs).  And I wanted it to be special for Women in Film, as its first official “green” project.   Eve’s Lime believes in sustainable business practices that reduce undue impact on the environment and create value.  So I consulted with Jedi Wright of Green Gurus, who reminded me that green practices are common sense.  We effectively reduced our carbon imprint during pre-production and production.  Some of our best practices were:

-         Conference calls and meetings via Skype

-         Created Yahoo Groups to encourage and facilitate carpooling among cast and crew, drastically reducing the number of cars on the road and at the shooting location

-         Biodiesel Grip truck

-         Biodiesel-powered generator

-         Donation of left over food.  

-         Markers to label water bottles

-         All bottles, boxes and plastics were recycled at the end of the day

I love to encourage green production values.  I hope this effort serves to set a new template for ‘greening’ Women in Film.  And I hope it gives you ideas on how to incorporate sustainable practices in your own workspace.

Daniel’s Place is now in post-production.  And the footage looks amazing!  Get ready to see a stigma-busting message that speaks to the general public and appeals to youth in this underserved demographic.

I’ll share pictures and more on this project as it continues to take shape. Many thanks to everyone involved!

Sheila J. Hardy

President, Executive Producer

Eve’s Lime Productions

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  Welcome to Eve's Lime's  "Behind the Scenes." 
Sheila J. Hardy, President

ECOSYSTEMS" COMMERCIAL SHOOT AT THE CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER
February 2010


 

"Ecosystems" Collaborators

Casting Director, Steven Snyder
Casting (Extras), Ally Zonsius
Associate Producer, Ann Nimo Mathenge
Director of Photography, Bryant Lemelle
1st AD, Diahna James
1st AC, Sal Coniglio
2nd AC/Data Wrangler, Joey Maloney
Production Coordinator, Kimeko Campbell
Key Grip,  Abel Soto
Lead Gaffer/Electrician, Joey LaStrape
Electrician, Anthony Jefferson
Electrician, Chris Henderson
Sound Mixer, Matt Sanchez
Grip, Robin Mallard
Grip, Luis Ramirez
Wardrobe, Nancy Wei
Hair & Make-up, Daisy Maldonado
Studio Teacher, Patrick Jackson      
Editor, Cary Lin

Special thanks to:
Technicolor
Lightning Media
Streetlights "Promoting Diversity in the Entertainment Industry"
Dentsu



                                                                                     Lonye Perrine, Hunter Green, and Miss Trinity Lyons


                                                                                         Young actors Davis Brown and Ivan Mok on set




Seth Michaels, Alana Gordillo, and Chuck Kopczak, Ph.D. (diver and Curator of the Ecosystems exhibit)


Our Lead Actors Seth Michaels and Alana Gordillo were featured in the print campaign as well: