Written by Brent Rolland [resident deejay / fig-zine editor]
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Hey, fellow Fig-Zine readers!
It is such a pleasure to be the editor of the 'zine for this 'go-round. This brings me back to my college days…but enough about me—let's talk about what is in store for you! This issue is quite special, as it is the first part of a double-edition version of fig-Zine! Everything from the rockin' sights and sounds of the Metro 25th Anniversary celebration to the exciting Pride Parade that recently took place in Chicago is all jam-packed into this neat and tidy edition. Yes—we have so many exciting events to showcase, we simply could not contain them in a single issue. Well…we could have, but then, you wouldn't have much to look forward to. Check out our most recent events, and be on the lookout for our second edition. Enjoy!
– Brent Rolland
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Written by Tobey Geise [director of operations / office goddess]
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Fig’s president and co-owner, James Gustin, has been forging a relationship with Metro owner, Joe Shanahan, for over 10 years, when he was a DJ in Metro’s basement club, Smartbar. Fig became the in-house Metro production staff for the anniversary party, which was also a reunion for past and present Metro employees. We started the evening with a variety of speakers and the Chicago Childrens’ Choir who amazed everyone with their mature performance that rocked. Guest speakers included Alderman Tom Tunney, Arny Granat, founder of Jam Productions, and Peter Hook of New Order and Joy Division fame, with emcee Marty Lennartz, voice of WXRT. Guests danced and grooved to a variety of hip DJs both down in Smartbar and on Metro’s main stage, including Jam DJs, Nick Miller, Andy Cirzan, Tom Pazen, and Brad Owen, Peter Hook spun for a while, DJ Colette and Kaskade, Life During Wartime and a live performance by Nick Tremulis. Fig covered all of this action with roving photography and cinematography. We projected the photos and mixed guests’ portraits from the Press Pit—fun portrait sessions with the guests in the store downstairs. Pre-event, we created a mini-documentary of Metro’s 25 years, including images and posters of bands who have played at the venue since its inception, including Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Modest Mouse, White Stripes, and the Smashing Pumpkins to name a few. The team was honored to be involved in this event and play a part in Metro’s historic success. This is the beginning of a partnership between the two companies. The footage captured throughout the evening will be included in the year long documentary fig is producing for Metro. Look out, Sundance! |
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FIG METRO CREW:
Creative: James Gustin and Michele Gustin
Service Coordinator: Tobey Geise
Videography and IMAG: Carl Wiedemann, Joe Martinez, Melissa Martens,
Alvin Black III, Tim Musho, Keren
Aronoff, Dana Clark, and Veselin Andreev
Photography: Brian Carey, Megan Taylor, Lauren Pollock, Tanya Cascoe
Documentary: Billy Rood, Dana Clark, Emily Hard, Keren Aronoff
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE METRO 25TH ANNIVERSARY CASE STUDY!
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Written by Melissa Martens [video production manager / cinematographer / media maven]
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For the Meeting Professionals International—Chicago Area Chapter's (MPI-CAC) 30th anniversary awards gala and celebration—fig showed up strong: 6 freshly produced commercials, live Powerpoint, deejay and music cues, stage management, signage, video coverage, and program book design. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Park West, where the event was held, fig worked well with show director Bob Higa to create a seamless production. The crowning moment was when Ides of March vocalist sang "Eye of the Tiger," and we mixed the original music video on the fly with live concert footage. Only fig can be that smooth!
FIG MPI CREW:
Producer: James Gustin
Assistant Producers: Andrew Ettenhofer and Tobey Geise
fig Coordinator: Melissa Martens
Stage Manager: Tobey Geise
Post-Production Video: Emily Hard
Graphic Designer: Alvin Black III
IMAG: Brian Carey and Emily Hard
Live Video Mixing: Tanya Cascoe
Deejays: Jonathan Hood and Matt Carlson
fig commercial: Billy Rood
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MPI CASE STUDY!
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Written by Melissa Martens [video production manager / cinematographer / media maven]
On June 25th 2007, fig media partnered with Share Our Strength at the Taste of the Nation event at River East Arts Center. The event was held to raise money for programs that help feed hungry children in Illinois. Fig provided music, mood, and filmmaking—sharing their strength of artistry to help make the event a success. Fig DJs Tim Musho and Alvin Black played along with a live drummer and combined hip world beats with bongo-banging, drum-smacking, head-bobbing fun. Fig spent two weeks prior to the event photographing the grant recipients and programs that the event would benefit. The photographs (combined with various logos) played all night on three large screens. Frost Lighting provided the screens, projectors, and a pumping sound system that made our content and music look and sound great…thanks, Frost! Fig also produced "Spaghetti" to help promote the cause. Director Melissa Martens created this original film in one week, and the result was a charming short film about two kids cooking spaghetti to a voice-over about childhood hunger. The piece was introduced by Bill Curtis and screened just before the live auction. Combine fig’s artistry with culinary wonders and hip mixologists, and you have a recipe for a kick-ass event.
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FIG TASTE OF THE NATION CREW:
Deejays: Tim Musho and Alvin Black III
Drummer: John Knecht
Photojournalists: Tim Musho, Emily Hard,
Jonathan Hood, and Tanya Cascoe
Credits for the film "Spaghetti":
fig Producers: Tobey Geise and Andrew Ettenhofer
Share Our Strength Producer: Pam Gross
Director: Melissa Martens
1st DP: Melissa Martens
2nd DP: Tim Musho
PA's: Dana Clark and Tanya Cascoe
Editor: Tanya Cascoe
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CLICK ON THE PHOTO ABOVE
TO WATCH "SPAGHETTI"! |
| CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TASTE OF THE NATION CASE STUDY! |
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Written by Billy Rood [cinematographer / photo production manager]
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On June 9th, Billy Dec, the owner and president of Rockit Ranch Productions, hosted the Piven Theatre Benefit at Rockit Bar and Grill with close friend Jeremy Piven. Megan Taylor produced the night and I was the videographer and editor of the event assisted by fellow fig playa, Joe Martinez. I was involved to capture the space and energy of the night and a personal interview with Billy and Jeremy. The night consisted of a live auction of a walk-on role on Entourage and a behind-the-scenes pass to the show. There were huge prizes and the party ended up becoming a huge success raising lots of money for the Piven Theatre. We were the primary press to cover the interview and with the amount of photographers and other videographers—this was quite a feat. It was lights, camera and go as soon as Billy Dec wanted the microphone. The interview was a great way to promote the Piven Theatre and where they've come from, where they are now, and where they want to go next. This exclusive event eventually moved into the Underground with a swarm of fans and enthusiasts to meet Jeremy and Billy. Rockit Ranch has since used fig for other shoots including a personal reel for Billy Dec and future VIP gigs such as Barack Obama and others.
PIVENTHEATRE.ORG ROCKITBARANDGRILL.COM ROCKITRANCH.COM
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Written by Erik Friedly [dj financial manager / resident deejay]
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This is the 23rd year of the Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party, and my third year DJing in front of the church itself. I really enjoy coming in every year and playing great rock & roll—such as Chuck Berry, The Who, David Bowie, Material Issue and Wilco. My favorite set that I've taken into other events is playing Chuck Berry followed by the Beatles and Rolling Stones covering his great music.
Every year I work with Ron Pateras of Jam Productions. Jam produces great events and it's great to be the creative with them. I also enjoyed working with Jolly Roger, the 6'8" stage manager who always has a great story to tell (I am purposely not re-telling any of these stories as I am working on an interview with Jolly for the next Fig-zine). More to come, but I had a time! VISIT WORLDSLARGESTBLOCKPARTY.COM
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Written by Tanya Cascoe [video editor / cinematographer / apprentice deejay]
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June is recognized as Gay Pride Month here in Chicago. Various events are scheduled throughout the month and around the city for Chicago’s gay community and its supporters, but none are as fabulous or anticipated as the Pride Parade. It was the last Sunday in June when the section of Lakeview, affectionately known as Boystown, hosted the parade. Gays, lesbians, transgenders, supporters and protesters were all “out” and dressed to impress. The crowds were massive; people were lined along the street dancing, hanging out of windows, waving from rooftops, throwing beads, and even sitting on light poles! Rainbow flags were everywhere. Chicago’s gay community exercised their rights to live and love with no shame, no fear and no apologies. And there we were, on the Whole Foods float, passing through the center of it all. Jon and Brian were taking turns mixing and I was hanging off the side taking pictures and waving my flag with pride. |
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Written by Joe Martinez [film producer & director / video editor]
Fig took over one half of the circular hallway that makes up the nucleus of the Kiva Day Spa. Brian Carey, Matt Carlson, Dana Clark, and Joe Martinez all greeted new brides who passed through with smiles and friendly waves. With their hands filled with flyers, soaps, business cards, and cake, the women stopped to watch our video reel and listen to the tunes of fig DJs Brian and Matt. The evening included a handful of other vendors including Jenny Yoo who hosted a bridal dress show and ended the event by giving away a $4,000 dress.
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Written by Lauren Pollock [assistant office manager / renaissance woman]
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The instructors and kids are pooling our expertise and knowledge to create one big show. Fig staff members Lauren Pollock, Tanya Cascoe, Hafeez Sarumi, and Jenny Gribble are gearing the kids up for the August 23rd performance at the North Lakeside Cultural Center. The kids have spent long hours creating the puppets from scratch, writing the script and creating their own stories through photographs. Some of the stories include past American Idol contestants, kings that become sandwiches and get eaten, and sorcerers. You are in for a treat! Don't miss it!
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Written by Michele Gustin [vice president / creative director /
event design / sales]
WRIGHTLIVING.COM
JUDITHWRIGHT.COM |
The Summer Spiritual Training was a week long "how to be" training that included rigorous project management combined with personal belief busting and vision coaching. This year I did it with my lead sales and management team from fig as well as my partner-in-crime and husband, James. Here are a few of my favorite things that I brought back and that I am already using successfully:
– How to use vision to motivate myself and others
– Ability to take greater ownership for everything around me
– How to put caring into action
– How to empower myself and others
– Taking 100% responsibility I get out of drama and make the most headway
– That taking 100% responsibility leads to 100% satisfaction
Why is it called a "spiritual training," you might ask? Well, that’s the cool part. There isn't much that we as human beings do that isn't spiritual and the goal is to align our values and principles with our actions. This is what the training is all about. I am working to be my highest and therefore my most spirited self. I love that—it's so zen! |
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Check out Fig's Blog where you can read about current Fig happenings!
fig-zine: Creative Director Michele Gustin Copy EditorS Andrew Ettenhofer, TOBEY GEISE,
aND BRENT ROLLAND Design and Layout BRIAN CAREY AND BRENT ROLLAND |
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