On Monday morning, Route 1a headed out (with coffee in hand, of course) to a studio in Pittsburgh to shoot a commercial for Mills & Levine law firm. 

I was expecting lots of offices and just a few standard film sets but I couldn't have been more I wrong.  The inside of this building looked like a mansion with dozens of rooms, each composed in a distinct style. A cozy, candlelit living room was caddy-corner (or "kitty"-corner depending on what part of PA you're from) to a trendy bar area with silver cocktail tables. An upscale parlor room with greek columns and floor-to-ceiling mirrors was adjacent to a simple family kitchen.  We even passed one room that was completely white.  No furniture.  No decor.  Just snowy white walls and floor.  They called this room the "cove" and it is used for videos that don't have a background.  The floor actually curves up to the wall so that even a long shot of a person standing looks like they are simply floating.  

This adventure was a little different than the last shoot for a number of reasons:  

1)  We had one day to get it right (which didn't prove to be too difficult-- we were so efficient that had time to have lunch downtown at Fat Heads bar and grill!) 

2)  We hired actors/actresses that we hand picked from a talent agency (as opposed to student volunteers)

3)  The actors/actresses were interacting with each other in a scene (unlike individual interviews)

However, I'm beginning to notice a trend as those three lessons from February continue to resurface.  Having a shot list and script are critical.  Communication is key-- everyone from actors to owners needs to understand the concept (or "the big idea") for the ad in order to be on the same page.  And, be free to voice your opinion-- even if your idea isn't pursued, the exchange of ideas allows for growth within the group and most creatives know that is priceless.