Blog

Hannah Soto
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Business and Inspiration
July 29, 2020

Introducing our Harbor Media Initiative

For all of the challenges that have come with living through a pandemic, something magical has happened in the production industry as a direct result. This spring, when shoots (and the nation) came to a standstill due to COVID-19, we began filling our calendars with conversations. And just like that, we broke the glass ceiling of networking: We proved that…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
July 20, 2020

Why We Strive to “Be a Blessing”

The photo above is from "National Donut Day" and we wrote a note to everyone on set to remind them, "We donut know what we'd do without YOU". Remember to be a blessing   If you know Grey House, you know that it was inspired by (and named after!) the little grey farmhouse where I spent my formative years. (The…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse News
July 15, 2020

Our Planned Actions as we Stand Against Racism and in Support of the Black Community

The artwork for this post was purchased from Mckenna Buckley, a 17 year-old Black artist from Los Angeles. View and purchase her work here. To say that George Floyd’s death has shaken us to our core is an understatement. In the weeks since, we’ve had time to take an honest, hard look at our company culture, and it’s hard to…
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Hannah Soto
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Production Resources
June 22, 2020

Our First Shoot Back

We wish we could enthusiastically write, “Aaaaand, we’re back!” and simply pick up from where we left off before COVID-19. But the fact of the matter is, production looks different now. A lot different.   Our first shoot back wasn’t easy. The good news? We got through it, which means the next one will be even smoother.Continuing our ongoing efforts…
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Hannah Soto
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Events + NetworkingProduction Resources
April 29, 2020

Where We Are Now: Episode 7

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash Workbook Radio and Dear Art Producer present Where We Are Now   A weekly webinar series created to talk about the state of affairs in our community. Each webinar has a fresh panel with different topics, input and/or resources from industry experts. This week we have assembled a panel to discuss the creation of universal guidelines for…
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Hannah Soto
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Production PartnersProduction Resources
April 22, 2020

Casting Creatively

When it comes to casting, we’re really invested in representation and pushing diversity as far as we can. For instance, with American Girl, our client has always been receptive to our suggestions of featuring girls from all walks of life in terms of a unique look, variety in body types, and so forth. But when we’re in a position to really…
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Hannah Soto
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Business and Inspiration
April 16, 2020

Digital Asset Management 101

As we posted recently, GHP runs almost exclusively from the cloud. So when it comes to digital asset management (DAM), we’re only as good as our ability to pull assets as needed. Considering the thousands upon thousands of assets we deal with on a single shoot (and multiple clients throughout month!), organization and DAM is everything — which is why…
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Hannah Soto
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Events + NetworkingProduction Resources
March 25, 2020

The Road Ahead: Freelancing during COVID-19

Photo by Sora Sagano on Unsplash Thursday, March 26th @ 12-1p PST Limited to 100 participants, registration required. Panelists include: Andrea Stern, Artist Rep (Stern Reps), @asksternrep Joe Pugliese, Photographer, @joepug Hannah Soto, CEO & Founder of Grey House Productions, @greyhouseproductions Hosted by: Mathieu Young, Photographer (@mathieuyoung) & Founder, Art of Freelance (@artoffreelance) Here is a replay of the Webinar.
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Hannah Soto
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Business and Inspiration
March 20, 2020

Creativity in Chaos: 5 ways we are redefining how productions happen during COVID-19

TO OUR DEAR CLIENTS, PARTNERS AND FRIENDS,  It’s hard to believe that just one week ago, I was out on a shoot in Atlanta when the national emergency surrounding COVID-19 was declared. Since returning home, like many of you, I’ve been taking things day by day, working with my team to reschedule (and, in some cases, cancel) jobs that we’d…
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Hannah Soto
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Production Resources
March 18, 2020

(Updated 3.26) Resources for Freelancers Affected by COVID-19

Resources   Added on March 26th, 2020 Global Call to Creatives: An Open Brief from the United Nations COVID-19 Photography/Motion Industry Focused Resources   Below is the original content from March 18th, 2020   Grey House Productions is nothing without our incredible crew, which is why one group of people in particular has been heavy on my heart these past…
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Hannah Soto
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Business and InspirationPodcast Notes
March 16, 2020

Automations in Production, The Power of a Pause + the Role of Motion in Advertising.

Earlier this year Heather Elder asked to interview our CEO and Founder, Hannah Soto. Below are the show notes and a link to listen to the full episode. Please Note: This interview took place before the COVID-19 outbreak. Listen to the Full Episode Here and wherever you stream your podcasts   Hannah is Founder and CEO of Grey House Productions, a…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse News
December 26, 2019

Onward to 2020!

Can you believe it is almost 2020? Not only a new year, but a new decade! While writing this post, we’re in the midst of tidying up last-minute details for our first shoot of the year. But we’d be remiss not to spend some time reflecting on all that we accomplished in the past 12 months leading up to this…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse News
December 23, 2019

2019 By the Numbers

We made it!   As we look back on 2019, our year-end totals are revealing of the year that’s been. For example, we worked with more than 500 people in 2019. That’s a lot of smiles. Yes, numbers are just one of the tools we use to track our business, but they tell a vivid story of all that we…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse News
November 28, 2019

Giving Thanks

In some ways, Grey House celebrates Thanksgiving year-round.   We take time to show appreciation for others whenever we get a chance. We’re always inviting people to come gather at our table. And, thanks to our catering partners, we’re always surrounded by amazing food. But this Thanksgiving, especially, we wanted to go above and beyond — to call out just ten…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse News
November 20, 2019

Core Value: Connecting Good People

We recently celebrated five years in business, which was marked with a rebranding and a lot of thoughtful introspection — namely, revisiting and expanding Grey House’s Core Values. Over the course of the next several months, we’ll be sharing our Core Values in detail on the blog, to offer a glimpse of how #TeamGreyHouse operates. If we’re not making connections,…
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Hannah Soto
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Production Resources
October 28, 2019

Our Bag of Tricks

There’s a reason why we show up with a cargo van of production supplies for each shoot. Call it our “bag of tricks” if you will, it’s got all of our must-haves to ensure that any production we’re running is done as efficiently as possible, and that the people involved have everything they need for a successful job. Curious what’s…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse News
October 15, 2019

Core Value: Empowering Others

We recently celebrated five years in business, which was marked with a rebranding and a lot of thoughtful introspection — namely, revisiting and expanding Grey House’s Core Values. Over the past few months, we’ve been sharing our Core Values in detail on the blog, to offer a glimpse of how #TeamGreyHouse operates. In many ways, our push to empower others…
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Hannah Soto
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Business and Inspiration
September 24, 2019

Why We Run our Business from the Cloud 

The other day, I was having a discussion with Emily Madigan, a local digital consultant and one of our go-tos for tech and organizational system expertise. We were trying to imagine a time before we did everything “in the cloud,” and honestly, what we kept coming back to was, “How did we ever do it before?!” From asset sharing to…
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Hannah Soto
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Production Resources
September 19, 2019

What We Look For in our Crew

At Grey House, people are everything. So naturally, when it comes to building our crews, we put a lot of thought and care into aligning people who are not only a great cultural fit, but who we feel will thrive on a given job based on the client and director or photographer. Here’s what we look for in our crew,…
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Hannah Soto
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Production Partners
September 12, 2019

Why you need a seasoned producer, not a local producer

We may be based in Chicago, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only city in which we have roots and resources. The knowledge and know-how that comes with seasoned experience is not always present in the zip code of your project. What does it mean to be “local”? With remote working on the rise, it’s becoming normal to live and…
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Hannah Soto
0
Photo courtesy of APA Chicago
Events + Networking
September 10, 2019

Sept 18: State of the Industry Panel Discussion

Photo courtesy of APA Chicago. State of the Industry Panel Discussion The industry continues to undergo dramatic changes, so APA has assembled leading creatives from the agency community to have a wide-ranging conversation about how to land your next agency project. Moderated by photographer Kourtney Sellers. Kelly Gribben Dussman, VP Creative Director at Upshot Agency Kelly is responsible for creative development…
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Hannah Soto
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Production Partners
September 6, 2019

California Labor Law Loophole for Print Productions SB 671 HAS PASSED!

And a HUGE thank you to Prime Casting for leading the charge on this pivotal amendment. For years Prime Casting had been hearing from producers about talent (and their attorneys) filing claims for the "waiting time penalties" which simply state that if a talent isn't paid their wages upon wrap, the producer/photographer/agency is left responsible to pay a penalty which…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse News
September 5, 2019

Core Value: Staying Three Steps Ahead

We recently celebrated five years in business, which was marked with a rebranding and a lot of thoughtful introspection — namely, revisiting and expanding Grey House’s Core Values. Over the course of the next several months, we’ll be sharing our Core Values in detail on the blog, to offer a glimpse of how #TeamGreyHouse operates. Day-to-day operations Especially given how…
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Hannah Soto
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Business and Inspiration
August 29, 2019

Saying No to Get To Yes

Image by Nuova Photo, courtesy of The Workbook. Right to left: GHP Founder, Hannah Soto speaking with photographers Andy Goodwin and Ross Floyd. When a client asks for a certain caliber of shoot within a certain budget and timeline ... I work really hard to never have to say “No” — which means I have to get creative to manage…
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Hannah Soto
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Business and Inspiration
August 5, 2019

10 Apps We Use on Every Shoot

Staying three steps ahead isn’t just one of our core values — it’s an everyday practice.   And for us, a big part of staying savvy means keeping up with the latest production-friendly apps. Here’s our top ten list of apps we use on every shoot — and often in between, too.
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Hannah Soto
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Production Resources
July 23, 2019

These Two Things Could Win You More Jobs

The secret to winning client bids? Knowing and understanding that no two jobs are alike — nor are they won the same way. It’s often some combination of your portfolio, who you know, your strategy in approaching the job, and when you’re available — not to mention about a billion other details. That said, for all the jobs we’ve won…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse News
July 13, 2019

Celebrating Five Years with “An Evening of Gratitude”

An Evening of Gratitude When I began thinking about how to celebrate Grey House Productions turning 5-years old, I knew I needed to do something special, but I kept being turned off at the idea of throwing a party and having everyone applaud for me. Because really, I didn't get here alone. So instead, on March 30th, I hosted "An…
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Hannah Soto
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Production PartnersProduction Resources
July 8, 2019

Studio Goals

No matter where we are in the world — even if we’re shooting in our own backyard in Chicago — we’re constantly on the hunt for the very best studio for the job. What makes for a good one? It all depends on the project! To start, we look at three key areas:  Space It’s not just about the physical space,…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse News
June 13, 2019

Our Core Values: Logistics & Hospitality

We recently celebrated five years in business, which was marked with a rebranding (shout-out to our incredibly talented Brand and Logo Designer, Melissa Yeager!) and a lot of thoughtful introspection — namely, revisiting and expanding Grey House’s Core Values. Over the course of the next several months, we’ll be sharing our Core Values in detail on the blog, to offer…
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Hannah Soto
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Events + Networking
May 4, 2019

Creative Collaboration in a Gig Economy

GHP Executive Producer, Hannah Soto will be one of the panelists at the C3's "Creative Collaboration" event on May 15th. We hope to see you there. 🙂   About The Event What does it mean to collaborate?   “Going it alone” doesn’t mean we don’t need partners. It just means we need partners we can trust, who “get” our process,…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse NewsProduction Resources
April 30, 2019

3 Ways #TeamGreyHouse Makes Every Shoot Even Better

We’ve always been big on logistics and hospitality. So when it comes to shoots, there are always a few things that can be overlooked, and we embrace. Sure, they’re small details, but we try to always remember that a rising tide lifts all boats. Here are three things we practice that have a really big, positive ripple for our clients.…
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Hannah Soto
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Business and InspirationProduction PartnersProduction Resources
April 23, 2019

It’s Easy Being Green: Practicing Sustainability On Set

Earth Day is a natural reminder to think about our daily approach to sustainability and recycling. But when so much of our day-to-day is spent on set, the good habits we practice at home don’t always translate. Though we still have a long ways to go toward zero waste on set, we’ve managed to incorporate some key Earth-friendly practices into…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
April 16, 2019

The Workbook: Creative Expression

I was recently interviewed by The Workbook. Here is the extended length of the feature interview.   How did you become involved with producing? Please describe your journey. It really first began when I was producing my own photo shoots back in 2010. But, of course, I had no idea what true production was. I was just doing what came…
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Hannah Soto
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Events + Networking
October 19, 2018

Face to Face Event, Official (Cocktail) After Party!

Powered by Eventbrite Join us for continued connections at the official after (cocktail!) party of At Edge's Face to Face event, hosted by Grey House Productions, LLC.  For those who attended the F2F event, here is the change to connect with those you didn't have time to sit with at F2F.  For those who did not attend the F2F event,…
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Hannah Soto
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Business and Inspiration
September 4, 2018

Paying It Forward

Now that Labor Day has come and gone, school is back in session, and summer is winding down I always find more structure seems to find its way back into my personal and professional life. I want to share something deeply personal and important to me that I've been working on this summer. Along with my fellow founders, Caro Griffin, Maggie…
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Hannah Soto
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Events + Networking
August 22, 2018

GHP Hosts Vision Based Portfolio Seminar

At Grey House, one of our core values is empowerment and art, and this event provides just that! Come be empowered, we promise to give our best so you can reach your best. We are honored to partner with APA Chicago and Agency Access to bring this event to our Chicago creatives. Overview To make it in today’s market, still…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse News
July 17, 2018

New Studio + Office

In March 2018 we jumped out of our comfy nest of shared work spaces, and made the leap to find our own studio and production office. I don't think we had any idea what was in store, but we are SO glad we decided to jump. To kickoff and celebrate the studio finally being ready for the public eye, we…
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Hannah Soto
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Business and InspirationEvents + Networking
April 19, 2018

Top 5 Take Aways from the moderator of the Alternative Careers in Photography Panel

An honest reflection from a first time moderator. For the past three years, I've had the privilege to sit on the panel and share my experience at Columbia College's "Alternative Careers in Photography" panel. As a panelist, it can be so exciting to have the opportunity to share with others what you wished you had known five years sooner. To encourage…
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Hannah Soto
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Events + Networking
February 7, 2017

The Agent / Photographer Relationship

Speakers: Patti Schumann Thu 23rd Feb, 2017 6:30pm–8:30pm Stephen Hamilton Inc. Near the corner of Fulton & Justine Chicago, IL 60607 Tickets: $20: APA Members $40: General Public Register Everything you ever wanted to know about the agent/photographer relationship. This is a tell all, show all, know all regarding the ins-and-outs of this very critical strategic alliance. The right relationship is an extraordinary…
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Hannah Soto
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Events + Networking
September 1, 2015

Improv for Creatives

Blending Business Strategy With Improv Skills: Connecting Creatives Wednesday, September 16, 2015 From 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM   Creative professionals need creative ways to solve professional challenges, stand out in a saturated marketplace and leverage their networks to create new opportunities for fun, profitable projects. This means approaching networking, marketing and presentations in a very different way than “business as usual” – and that’s…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and InspirationEvents + Networking
July 10, 2015

#BOMBASSPROM is a Wrap!

We’ve packed up our prom clothes and (sadly) returned our thrones. But we want to say a special thank you to each of you for making it a night we will never forget - truly a #BombAssProm ... which you can relive in this video. Make sure to also check out all of the amazing photos from Photospot (password is:…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse NewsEvents + Networking
June 26, 2015

Successful APA Studio Night!

It was a blast sponsoring last week's APA Studio Night at TRIGGER. The music was bumping, the drinks were flowing and all the food was gone by the end of the night! Most importantly, there were great connections made between friends old and new. Congratulations to Brian Eaves for winning a FREE studio day at Trigger! Thank you to FIG Catering, Julie…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and InspirationEvents + Networking
June 10, 2015

APA Studio Night at TRIGGER Studios

Friday June 19th 7:00pm–10:00pm 1  Trigger Studio 122810 W Addison St. 12Chicago, IL 60618 Admission: Free This installment of APA Studio Night is sponsored by yours truly: Grey House Productions. We will be parking the spaceship at the beautiful new studio called Trigger. Trigger is located on Addison Street just west of California and can be booked daily. That said, this space is perfect to…
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Hannah Soto
0
Events + Networking
April 27, 2015

Portfolio Day

Portfolio Day | Thursday April 30th Columbia College Chicago | 1104 S. Wabash Avenue | Chicago, IL Schedule: **10am - 12:30pm Review Session One Arts Management, Dance, Makeup Artistry, Comedy Writing and Performance, Music Vocal Performance, Music Business, Fine Art, Fine Art Photography **1 - 4pm Review Session Two Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Game Design, Web Development, Interior Architecture, Product Design,…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsEvents + Networking
April 20, 2015

Creative Estimating

Check out the details below for this great event hosted by APA Chicago. Thursday, April 23rd from 7:00pm–8:30pm Throop Studio 1500 N Throop St Chicago, IL 60642 © Lindsay Gallup. Amanda Gray and Erica Chadwick lead the Creative Estimating Workshop. We’ve pulled a couple of agency decks from the files and have recruited artist representative Erica Chadwick from ETC Creative and…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationEvents + Networking
March 6, 2015

Careers in Photography Panel

Careers in Photography I’m excited to be one of the panelist for the upcoming "Careers in Photography" event on March 10th! Melissa Hennessy and the Portfolio Center at Columbia College Chicago continue to offer programs to help students make well-informed career choices. As a student at Columbia I attended many Portfolio Center events - now, as alumni, I am excited to take part in the industry events…
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Hannah Soto
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#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
February 25, 2015

Big Ideas Columbia: Redefining Success

Come see GHP founder Hannah Fehrman (pictured above, being interviewed by Katherine Walters at the Museum of Contemporary Photography) and fellow Alumni in the student short film "Big Ideas Columbia: Redefining Success" screening on Thursday, February 26th at 4pm (details on poster below). Hannah graduated from Columbia College Chicago, and was excited to return to her alma mater last fall to be interviewed…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
February 16, 2015

Behind the Scenes with Quinn Wharton

Our team was excited to spend a weekend exploring winter activities at Camp Wandawega with Quinn Wharton. Check out these BTS images of our winter wonderland. The camp staff was amazing - Thanks Bill for these perfect snow balls! Mode of transport, a vintage snow mobile   A special thanks to all the following people, as good production truly is a team effort. Director: Quinn Wharton…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
February 13, 2015

The Antarctic Expedition

Last year we had the opportunity to partner with an amazing creative team and to bring their dream into live production. Photographer Matthew Bowie was the driving force behind the expedition, enlisting the talents of HMU artist extraordinaire Cindy Shute and savvy retoucher Brian York. Be sure to check out the write up PDN did about the project. And of course,…
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Hannah Soto
0
Uncategorized
December 19, 2014

Help Portrait

We had the absolute pleasure to serve over 300 people in partnership with Help Portrait this year!!   Thanks to all the volunteers for this year's event! And to our sponsors: Missio Dei Logan Square, Pierre's Bakery, Intelligentsia Coffee, Fluer, and Bang Bang Pie. Help Portrait History Help-Portrait was founded by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart and Kyle Chowning in 2008. Our mission is to empower photographers, hairstylists and makeup…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationEvents + NetworkingUncategorized
December 12, 2014

APA Perspectives Gallery

We are so looking forward to this event, with many photographer's we've had the pleasure to work with showing their personal work, it is sure to be a great evening. We hope to see you there! Thanks to APA Chicago for organizing. APA Chicago will be hosting their 2nd annual Artist’s Perspective Exhibition and Holiday Party on December 12 at Throop…
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Hannah Soto
0
Events + Networking
October 26, 2014

Being John Malkovich

Sandro Miller is one of the most respected photographers in the industry, and by now I'm sure you've heard about his latest project: Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters. What I find most inspiring about this playful tribute to some of the greatest photographic images in history is the collaborative partnership between Sandro and John Malkovich. You can see how they…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
September 30, 2014

Doing Good Work

What good is a Producer if she is not full of great resources and has a solid crew to support her? Which is why at GHP we are always looking for better ways to do things, we comb through sources and are always eager to make new connections. So we were pretty excited to discover Flowers for Dreams, because they are…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationEvents + Networking
September 26, 2014

THE GRAND SPECTACLE

While this isn't really an industry event, we are still really looking forward to it. So we thought it would be nice of us to share the details with you. Hope to see you there!  THE GRAND SPECTACLE OCTOBER 4 @ 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM EVENT NAVIGATION   In partnership with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District,…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
September 24, 2014

We Run This City

Earlier this summer we had the privilege of Producing for one of Apostrophes photographers, Guido Vitti on an amazing job for Nike. We took some of Chicago's greatest Nike Run Club Members on a tour all over Chicago, from Jackson Park to Wicker Park - after all #werunthiscity Here are a few of the shots in Nike Town on the Mag Mile...…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
September 22, 2014

Chicago Creative Review

Chicago Creative Review: It's an opportunity for photographers in all genres to meet with photo editors, art buyers, creative directors, and artist agents to show their work and make new creative connections.  Meetings are one-on-one for 15 minutes each.  Professional photographers from NY to LA are welcome to attend. Melissa Hennessy is the organizer of the First Annual Chicago Creative Review.…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
September 19, 2014

Madzilla the Movie

You would have to been hiding out under a rock this summer to have not heard about the filming and premier of "Madzilla" in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We got a few snaps from the premier and Q&A afterwards. Among the panelists, is the very talented production designer Angela Finney - whom we had the pleasure of working with on several projects. Check…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
July 13, 2014

The Tale of Two Tennis Players

Here are a few BTS from our shoot last week with Damien Thompson. Can't wait to show off what he captured.   Crew: Photographer: Damien Thompson Photo Assistants: Joe Becerra + Becca Vosler Production Assistant: Danielle Fink Wardrobe + Prop Stylist: Carson Hoerz HMU: Karen Brody Great video of Joe setting up a serve.   Thanks to Levinson Locations for…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
July 2, 2014

Fini! – Post Production Recycling

I was eating lunch with my colleague and friend Monica Zaffarano at the beginning of this year at La Fournette (you should check it out, great panni's) and she began to tell me about this idea she was working on called Fini!. At the heart of Fini is the belief that there is a practical response to the waste that…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
June 21, 2014

The Logistics are Natural and Our Hospitality is Intentional

(Photograph by American Views. August 5th, 2013) Last year while reading one of my favorite authors, Seth Godin, I came across this statement: "Start Something. Figure it out. Connect. Make the call. Ask. Learn. Repeat. Risk It."   I've always loved photography, but it was when I discovered production a few years ago that a whole new world opened up…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
June 18, 2014

Dragons, Detectives, and Surgeons OH MY!

What a great shoot this was! As a producer you can't ask for more, a great crew, creative photographer, and adorable talent. Here are a few BTS for our two day shoot - Thanks to Eva and Lisa for snapping these. Crew: Photographer: Nathanael Filbert Photo Assistants: Damien Thompson Ryan Bringas Will Hartman Production Assistant: Eva Deitch Prop Stylist: Sarah Blue Winslow Gerber…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
June 18, 2014

On Location: Downtown Chicago

Always a blast to work in the heart of the the city we love. Lots of fun locations across the city this week, including the Art Institute of Chicago!
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
July 20, 2020

Why We Strive to “Be a Blessing”

The photo above is from "National Donut Day" and we wrote a note to everyone on set to remind them, "We donut know what we'd do without YOU". Remember to be a blessing   If you know Grey House, you know that it was inspired by (and named after!) the little grey farmhouse where I spent my formative years. (The…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
July 15, 2020

Our Planned Actions as we Stand Against Racism and in Support of the Black Community

The artwork for this post was purchased from Mckenna Buckley, a 17 year-old Black artist from Los Angeles. View and purchase her work here. To say that George Floyd’s death has shaken us to our core is an understatement. In the weeks since, we’ve had time to take an honest, hard look at our company culture, and it’s hard to…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
December 26, 2019

Onward to 2020!

Can you believe it is almost 2020? Not only a new year, but a new decade! While writing this post, we’re in the midst of tidying up last-minute details for our first shoot of the year. But we’d be remiss not to spend some time reflecting on all that we accomplished in the past 12 months leading up to this…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
December 23, 2019

2019 By the Numbers

We made it!   As we look back on 2019, our year-end totals are revealing of the year that’s been. For example, we worked with more than 500 people in 2019. That’s a lot of smiles. Yes, numbers are just one of the tools we use to track our business, but they tell a vivid story of all that we…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
November 28, 2019

Giving Thanks

In some ways, Grey House celebrates Thanksgiving year-round.   We take time to show appreciation for others whenever we get a chance. We’re always inviting people to come gather at our table. And, thanks to our catering partners, we’re always surrounded by amazing food. But this Thanksgiving, especially, we wanted to go above and beyond — to call out just ten…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
November 20, 2019

Core Value: Connecting Good People

We recently celebrated five years in business, which was marked with a rebranding and a lot of thoughtful introspection — namely, revisiting and expanding Grey House’s Core Values. Over the course of the next several months, we’ll be sharing our Core Values in detail on the blog, to offer a glimpse of how #TeamGreyHouse operates. If we’re not making connections,…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
October 15, 2019

Core Value: Empowering Others

We recently celebrated five years in business, which was marked with a rebranding and a lot of thoughtful introspection — namely, revisiting and expanding Grey House’s Core Values. Over the past few months, we’ve been sharing our Core Values in detail on the blog, to offer a glimpse of how #TeamGreyHouse operates. In many ways, our push to empower others…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
September 5, 2019

Core Value: Staying Three Steps Ahead

We recently celebrated five years in business, which was marked with a rebranding and a lot of thoughtful introspection — namely, revisiting and expanding Grey House’s Core Values. Over the course of the next several months, we’ll be sharing our Core Values in detail on the blog, to offer a glimpse of how #TeamGreyHouse operates. Day-to-day operations Especially given how…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
July 13, 2019

Celebrating Five Years with “An Evening of Gratitude”

An Evening of Gratitude When I began thinking about how to celebrate Grey House Productions turning 5-years old, I knew I needed to do something special, but I kept being turned off at the idea of throwing a party and having everyone applaud for me. Because really, I didn't get here alone. So instead, on March 30th, I hosted "An…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
June 13, 2019

Our Core Values: Logistics & Hospitality

We recently celebrated five years in business, which was marked with a rebranding (shout-out to our incredibly talented Brand and Logo Designer, Melissa Yeager!) and a lot of thoughtful introspection — namely, revisiting and expanding Grey House’s Core Values. Over the course of the next several months, we’ll be sharing our Core Values in detail on the blog, to offer…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsProduction Resources
April 30, 2019

3 Ways #TeamGreyHouse Makes Every Shoot Even Better

We’ve always been big on logistics and hospitality. So when it comes to shoots, there are always a few things that can be overlooked, and we embrace. Sure, they’re small details, but we try to always remember that a rising tide lifts all boats. Here are three things we practice that have a really big, positive ripple for our clients.…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
April 16, 2019

The Workbook: Creative Expression

I was recently interviewed by The Workbook. Here is the extended length of the feature interview.   How did you become involved with producing? Please describe your journey. It really first began when I was producing my own photo shoots back in 2010. But, of course, I had no idea what true production was. I was just doing what came…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
July 17, 2018

New Studio + Office

In March 2018 we jumped out of our comfy nest of shared work spaces, and made the leap to find our own studio and production office. I don't think we had any idea what was in store, but we are SO glad we decided to jump. To kickoff and celebrate the studio finally being ready for the public eye, we…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and InspirationEvents + Networking
July 10, 2015

#BOMBASSPROM is a Wrap!

We’ve packed up our prom clothes and (sadly) returned our thrones. But we want to say a special thank you to each of you for making it a night we will never forget - truly a #BombAssProm ... which you can relive in this video. Make sure to also check out all of the amazing photos from Photospot (password is:…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsEvents + Networking
June 26, 2015

Successful APA Studio Night!

It was a blast sponsoring last week's APA Studio Night at TRIGGER. The music was bumping, the drinks were flowing and all the food was gone by the end of the night! Most importantly, there were great connections made between friends old and new. Congratulations to Brian Eaves for winning a FREE studio day at Trigger! Thank you to FIG Catering, Julie…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and InspirationEvents + Networking
June 10, 2015

APA Studio Night at TRIGGER Studios

Friday June 19th 7:00pm–10:00pm 1  Trigger Studio 122810 W Addison St. 12Chicago, IL 60618 Admission: Free This installment of APA Studio Night is sponsored by yours truly: Grey House Productions. We will be parking the spaceship at the beautiful new studio called Trigger. Trigger is located on Addison Street just west of California and can be booked daily. That said, this space is perfect to…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsEvents + Networking
April 20, 2015

Creative Estimating

Check out the details below for this great event hosted by APA Chicago. Thursday, April 23rd from 7:00pm–8:30pm Throop Studio 1500 N Throop St Chicago, IL 60642 © Lindsay Gallup. Amanda Gray and Erica Chadwick lead the Creative Estimating Workshop. We’ve pulled a couple of agency decks from the files and have recruited artist representative Erica Chadwick from ETC Creative and…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
February 25, 2015

Big Ideas Columbia: Redefining Success

Come see GHP founder Hannah Fehrman (pictured above, being interviewed by Katherine Walters at the Museum of Contemporary Photography) and fellow Alumni in the student short film "Big Ideas Columbia: Redefining Success" screening on Thursday, February 26th at 4pm (details on poster below). Hannah graduated from Columbia College Chicago, and was excited to return to her alma mater last fall to be interviewed…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
February 16, 2015

Behind the Scenes with Quinn Wharton

Our team was excited to spend a weekend exploring winter activities at Camp Wandawega with Quinn Wharton. Check out these BTS images of our winter wonderland. The camp staff was amazing - Thanks Bill for these perfect snow balls! Mode of transport, a vintage snow mobile   A special thanks to all the following people, as good production truly is a team effort. Director: Quinn Wharton…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
February 13, 2015

The Antarctic Expedition

Last year we had the opportunity to partner with an amazing creative team and to bring their dream into live production. Photographer Matthew Bowie was the driving force behind the expedition, enlisting the talents of HMU artist extraordinaire Cindy Shute and savvy retoucher Brian York. Be sure to check out the write up PDN did about the project. And of course,…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
June 21, 2014

The Logistics are Natural and Our Hospitality is Intentional

(Photograph by American Views. August 5th, 2013) Last year while reading one of my favorite authors, Seth Godin, I came across this statement: "Start Something. Figure it out. Connect. Make the call. Ask. Learn. Repeat. Risk It."   I've always loved photography, but it was when I discovered production a few years ago that a whole new world opened up…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
June 18, 2014

On Location: Downtown Chicago

Always a blast to work in the heart of the the city we love. Lots of fun locations across the city this week, including the Art Institute of Chicago!
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
July 29, 2020

Introducing our Harbor Media Initiative

For all of the challenges that have come with living through a pandemic, something magical has happened in the production industry as a direct result. This spring, when shoots (and the nation) came to a standstill due to COVID-19, we began filling our calendars with conversations. And just like that, we broke the glass ceiling of networking: We proved that…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
July 20, 2020

Why We Strive to “Be a Blessing”

The photo above is from "National Donut Day" and we wrote a note to everyone on set to remind them, "We donut know what we'd do without YOU". Remember to be a blessing   If you know Grey House, you know that it was inspired by (and named after!) the little grey farmhouse where I spent my formative years. (The…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
April 16, 2020

Digital Asset Management 101

As we posted recently, GHP runs almost exclusively from the cloud. So when it comes to digital asset management (DAM), we’re only as good as our ability to pull assets as needed. Considering the thousands upon thousands of assets we deal with on a single shoot (and multiple clients throughout month!), organization and DAM is everything — which is why…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
March 20, 2020

Creativity in Chaos: 5 ways we are redefining how productions happen during COVID-19

TO OUR DEAR CLIENTS, PARTNERS AND FRIENDS,  It’s hard to believe that just one week ago, I was out on a shoot in Atlanta when the national emergency surrounding COVID-19 was declared. Since returning home, like many of you, I’ve been taking things day by day, working with my team to reschedule (and, in some cases, cancel) jobs that we’d…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationPodcast Notes
March 16, 2020

Automations in Production, The Power of a Pause + the Role of Motion in Advertising.

Earlier this year Heather Elder asked to interview our CEO and Founder, Hannah Soto. Below are the show notes and a link to listen to the full episode. Please Note: This interview took place before the COVID-19 outbreak. Listen to the Full Episode Here and wherever you stream your podcasts   Hannah is Founder and CEO of Grey House Productions, a…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
September 24, 2019

Why We Run our Business from the Cloud 

The other day, I was having a discussion with Emily Madigan, a local digital consultant and one of our go-tos for tech and organizational system expertise. We were trying to imagine a time before we did everything “in the cloud,” and honestly, what we kept coming back to was, “How did we ever do it before?!” From asset sharing to…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
August 29, 2019

Saying No to Get To Yes

Image by Nuova Photo, courtesy of The Workbook. Right to left: GHP Founder, Hannah Soto speaking with photographers Andy Goodwin and Ross Floyd. When a client asks for a certain caliber of shoot within a certain budget and timeline ... I work really hard to never have to say “No” — which means I have to get creative to manage…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
August 5, 2019

10 Apps We Use on Every Shoot

Staying three steps ahead isn’t just one of our core values — it’s an everyday practice.   And for us, a big part of staying savvy means keeping up with the latest production-friendly apps. Here’s our top ten list of apps we use on every shoot — and often in between, too.
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationProduction PartnersProduction Resources
April 23, 2019

It’s Easy Being Green: Practicing Sustainability On Set

Earth Day is a natural reminder to think about our daily approach to sustainability and recycling. But when so much of our day-to-day is spent on set, the good habits we practice at home don’t always translate. Though we still have a long ways to go toward zero waste on set, we’ve managed to incorporate some key Earth-friendly practices into…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
April 16, 2019

The Workbook: Creative Expression

I was recently interviewed by The Workbook. Here is the extended length of the feature interview.   How did you become involved with producing? Please describe your journey. It really first began when I was producing my own photo shoots back in 2010. But, of course, I had no idea what true production was. I was just doing what came…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
September 4, 2018

Paying It Forward

Now that Labor Day has come and gone, school is back in session, and summer is winding down I always find more structure seems to find its way back into my personal and professional life. I want to share something deeply personal and important to me that I've been working on this summer. Along with my fellow founders, Caro Griffin, Maggie…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationEvents + Networking
April 19, 2018

Top 5 Take Aways from the moderator of the Alternative Careers in Photography Panel

An honest reflection from a first time moderator. For the past three years, I've had the privilege to sit on the panel and share my experience at Columbia College's "Alternative Careers in Photography" panel. As a panelist, it can be so exciting to have the opportunity to share with others what you wished you had known five years sooner. To encourage…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and InspirationEvents + Networking
July 10, 2015

#BOMBASSPROM is a Wrap!

We’ve packed up our prom clothes and (sadly) returned our thrones. But we want to say a special thank you to each of you for making it a night we will never forget - truly a #BombAssProm ... which you can relive in this video. Make sure to also check out all of the amazing photos from Photospot (password is:…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and InspirationEvents + Networking
June 10, 2015

APA Studio Night at TRIGGER Studios

Friday June 19th 7:00pm–10:00pm 1  Trigger Studio 122810 W Addison St. 12Chicago, IL 60618 Admission: Free This installment of APA Studio Night is sponsored by yours truly: Grey House Productions. We will be parking the spaceship at the beautiful new studio called Trigger. Trigger is located on Addison Street just west of California and can be booked daily. That said, this space is perfect to…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationEvents + Networking
March 6, 2015

Careers in Photography Panel

Careers in Photography I’m excited to be one of the panelist for the upcoming "Careers in Photography" event on March 10th! Melissa Hennessy and the Portfolio Center at Columbia College Chicago continue to offer programs to help students make well-informed career choices. As a student at Columbia I attended many Portfolio Center events - now, as alumni, I am excited to take part in the industry events…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
February 25, 2015

Big Ideas Columbia: Redefining Success

Come see GHP founder Hannah Fehrman (pictured above, being interviewed by Katherine Walters at the Museum of Contemporary Photography) and fellow Alumni in the student short film "Big Ideas Columbia: Redefining Success" screening on Thursday, February 26th at 4pm (details on poster below). Hannah graduated from Columbia College Chicago, and was excited to return to her alma mater last fall to be interviewed…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
February 16, 2015

Behind the Scenes with Quinn Wharton

Our team was excited to spend a weekend exploring winter activities at Camp Wandawega with Quinn Wharton. Check out these BTS images of our winter wonderland. The camp staff was amazing - Thanks Bill for these perfect snow balls! Mode of transport, a vintage snow mobile   A special thanks to all the following people, as good production truly is a team effort. Director: Quinn Wharton…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
February 13, 2015

The Antarctic Expedition

Last year we had the opportunity to partner with an amazing creative team and to bring their dream into live production. Photographer Matthew Bowie was the driving force behind the expedition, enlisting the talents of HMU artist extraordinaire Cindy Shute and savvy retoucher Brian York. Be sure to check out the write up PDN did about the project. And of course,…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationEvents + NetworkingUncategorized
December 12, 2014

APA Perspectives Gallery

We are so looking forward to this event, with many photographer's we've had the pleasure to work with showing their personal work, it is sure to be a great evening. We hope to see you there! Thanks to APA Chicago for organizing. APA Chicago will be hosting their 2nd annual Artist’s Perspective Exhibition and Holiday Party on December 12 at Throop…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
September 30, 2014

Doing Good Work

What good is a Producer if she is not full of great resources and has a solid crew to support her? Which is why at GHP we are always looking for better ways to do things, we comb through sources and are always eager to make new connections. So we were pretty excited to discover Flowers for Dreams, because they are…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationEvents + Networking
September 26, 2014

THE GRAND SPECTACLE

While this isn't really an industry event, we are still really looking forward to it. So we thought it would be nice of us to share the details with you. Hope to see you there!  THE GRAND SPECTACLE OCTOBER 4 @ 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM EVENT NAVIGATION   In partnership with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District,…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
September 24, 2014

We Run This City

Earlier this summer we had the privilege of Producing for one of Apostrophes photographers, Guido Vitti on an amazing job for Nike. We took some of Chicago's greatest Nike Run Club Members on a tour all over Chicago, from Jackson Park to Wicker Park - after all #werunthiscity Here are a few of the shots in Nike Town on the Mag Mile...…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
September 22, 2014

Chicago Creative Review

Chicago Creative Review: It's an opportunity for photographers in all genres to meet with photo editors, art buyers, creative directors, and artist agents to show their work and make new creative connections.  Meetings are one-on-one for 15 minutes each.  Professional photographers from NY to LA are welcome to attend. Melissa Hennessy is the organizer of the First Annual Chicago Creative Review.…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
September 19, 2014

Madzilla the Movie

You would have to been hiding out under a rock this summer to have not heard about the filming and premier of "Madzilla" in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We got a few snaps from the premier and Q&A afterwards. Among the panelists, is the very talented production designer Angela Finney - whom we had the pleasure of working with on several projects. Check…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
July 13, 2014

The Tale of Two Tennis Players

Here are a few BTS from our shoot last week with Damien Thompson. Can't wait to show off what he captured.   Crew: Photographer: Damien Thompson Photo Assistants: Joe Becerra + Becca Vosler Production Assistant: Danielle Fink Wardrobe + Prop Stylist: Carson Hoerz HMU: Karen Brody Great video of Joe setting up a serve.   Thanks to Levinson Locations for…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
July 2, 2014

Fini! – Post Production Recycling

I was eating lunch with my colleague and friend Monica Zaffarano at the beginning of this year at La Fournette (you should check it out, great panni's) and she began to tell me about this idea she was working on called Fini!. At the heart of Fini is the belief that there is a practical response to the waste that…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
June 18, 2014

Dragons, Detectives, and Surgeons OH MY!

What a great shoot this was! As a producer you can't ask for more, a great crew, creative photographer, and adorable talent. Here are a few BTS for our two day shoot - Thanks to Eva and Lisa for snapping these. Crew: Photographer: Nathanael Filbert Photo Assistants: Damien Thompson Ryan Bringas Will Hartman Production Assistant: Eva Deitch Prop Stylist: Sarah Blue Winslow Gerber…
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Hannah Soto
0
Events + NetworkingProduction Resources
April 29, 2020

Where We Are Now: Episode 7

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash Workbook Radio and Dear Art Producer present Where We Are Now   A weekly webinar series created to talk about the state of affairs in our community. Each webinar has a fresh panel with different topics, input and/or resources from industry experts. This week we have assembled a panel to discuss the creation of universal guidelines for…
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Hannah Soto
0
Events + NetworkingProduction Resources
March 25, 2020

The Road Ahead: Freelancing during COVID-19

Photo by Sora Sagano on Unsplash Thursday, March 26th @ 12-1p PST Limited to 100 participants, registration required. Panelists include: Andrea Stern, Artist Rep (Stern Reps), @asksternrep Joe Pugliese, Photographer, @joepug Hannah Soto, CEO & Founder of Grey House Productions, @greyhouseproductions Hosted by: Mathieu Young, Photographer (@mathieuyoung) & Founder, Art of Freelance (@artoffreelance) Here is a replay of the Webinar.
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Hannah Soto
0
Photo courtesy of APA Chicago
Events + Networking
September 10, 2019

Sept 18: State of the Industry Panel Discussion

Photo courtesy of APA Chicago. State of the Industry Panel Discussion The industry continues to undergo dramatic changes, so APA has assembled leading creatives from the agency community to have a wide-ranging conversation about how to land your next agency project. Moderated by photographer Kourtney Sellers. Kelly Gribben Dussman, VP Creative Director at Upshot Agency Kelly is responsible for creative development…
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Hannah Soto
0
Events + Networking
May 4, 2019

Creative Collaboration in a Gig Economy

GHP Executive Producer, Hannah Soto will be one of the panelists at the C3's "Creative Collaboration" event on May 15th. We hope to see you there. 🙂   About The Event What does it mean to collaborate?   “Going it alone” doesn’t mean we don’t need partners. It just means we need partners we can trust, who “get” our process,…
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Hannah Soto
0
Events + Networking
October 19, 2018

Face to Face Event, Official (Cocktail) After Party!

Powered by Eventbrite Join us for continued connections at the official after (cocktail!) party of At Edge's Face to Face event, hosted by Grey House Productions, LLC.  For those who attended the F2F event, here is the change to connect with those you didn't have time to sit with at F2F.  For those who did not attend the F2F event,…
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Hannah Soto
0
Events + Networking
August 22, 2018

GHP Hosts Vision Based Portfolio Seminar

At Grey House, one of our core values is empowerment and art, and this event provides just that! Come be empowered, we promise to give our best so you can reach your best. We are honored to partner with APA Chicago and Agency Access to bring this event to our Chicago creatives. Overview To make it in today’s market, still…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationEvents + Networking
April 19, 2018

Top 5 Take Aways from the moderator of the Alternative Careers in Photography Panel

An honest reflection from a first time moderator. For the past three years, I've had the privilege to sit on the panel and share my experience at Columbia College's "Alternative Careers in Photography" panel. As a panelist, it can be so exciting to have the opportunity to share with others what you wished you had known five years sooner. To encourage…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Events + Networking
February 7, 2017

The Agent / Photographer Relationship

Speakers: Patti Schumann Thu 23rd Feb, 2017 6:30pm–8:30pm Stephen Hamilton Inc. Near the corner of Fulton & Justine Chicago, IL 60607 Tickets: $20: APA Members $40: General Public Register Everything you ever wanted to know about the agent/photographer relationship. This is a tell all, show all, know all regarding the ins-and-outs of this very critical strategic alliance. The right relationship is an extraordinary…
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Hannah Soto
0
Events + Networking
September 1, 2015

Improv for Creatives

Blending Business Strategy With Improv Skills: Connecting Creatives Wednesday, September 16, 2015 From 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM   Creative professionals need creative ways to solve professional challenges, stand out in a saturated marketplace and leverage their networks to create new opportunities for fun, profitable projects. This means approaching networking, marketing and presentations in a very different way than “business as usual” – and that’s…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and InspirationEvents + Networking
July 10, 2015

#BOMBASSPROM is a Wrap!

We’ve packed up our prom clothes and (sadly) returned our thrones. But we want to say a special thank you to each of you for making it a night we will never forget - truly a #BombAssProm ... which you can relive in this video. Make sure to also check out all of the amazing photos from Photospot (password is:…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsEvents + Networking
June 26, 2015

Successful APA Studio Night!

It was a blast sponsoring last week's APA Studio Night at TRIGGER. The music was bumping, the drinks were flowing and all the food was gone by the end of the night! Most importantly, there were great connections made between friends old and new. Congratulations to Brian Eaves for winning a FREE studio day at Trigger! Thank you to FIG Catering, Julie…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and InspirationEvents + Networking
June 10, 2015

APA Studio Night at TRIGGER Studios

Friday June 19th 7:00pm–10:00pm 1  Trigger Studio 122810 W Addison St. 12Chicago, IL 60618 Admission: Free This installment of APA Studio Night is sponsored by yours truly: Grey House Productions. We will be parking the spaceship at the beautiful new studio called Trigger. Trigger is located on Addison Street just west of California and can be booked daily. That said, this space is perfect to…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Events + Networking
April 27, 2015

Portfolio Day

Portfolio Day | Thursday April 30th Columbia College Chicago | 1104 S. Wabash Avenue | Chicago, IL Schedule: **10am - 12:30pm Review Session One Arts Management, Dance, Makeup Artistry, Comedy Writing and Performance, Music Vocal Performance, Music Business, Fine Art, Fine Art Photography **1 - 4pm Review Session Two Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Game Design, Web Development, Interior Architecture, Product Design,…
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Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsEvents + Networking
April 20, 2015

Creative Estimating

Check out the details below for this great event hosted by APA Chicago. Thursday, April 23rd from 7:00pm–8:30pm Throop Studio 1500 N Throop St Chicago, IL 60642 © Lindsay Gallup. Amanda Gray and Erica Chadwick lead the Creative Estimating Workshop. We’ve pulled a couple of agency decks from the files and have recruited artist representative Erica Chadwick from ETC Creative and…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationEvents + Networking
March 6, 2015

Careers in Photography Panel

Careers in Photography I’m excited to be one of the panelist for the upcoming "Careers in Photography" event on March 10th! Melissa Hennessy and the Portfolio Center at Columbia College Chicago continue to offer programs to help students make well-informed career choices. As a student at Columbia I attended many Portfolio Center events - now, as alumni, I am excited to take part in the industry events…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationEvents + NetworkingUncategorized
December 12, 2014

APA Perspectives Gallery

We are so looking forward to this event, with many photographer's we've had the pleasure to work with showing their personal work, it is sure to be a great evening. We hope to see you there! Thanks to APA Chicago for organizing. APA Chicago will be hosting their 2nd annual Artist’s Perspective Exhibition and Holiday Party on December 12 at Throop…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Events + Networking
October 26, 2014

Being John Malkovich

Sandro Miller is one of the most respected photographers in the industry, and by now I'm sure you've heard about his latest project: Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters. What I find most inspiring about this playful tribute to some of the greatest photographic images in history is the collaborative partnership between Sandro and John Malkovich. You can see how they…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationEvents + Networking
September 26, 2014

THE GRAND SPECTACLE

While this isn't really an industry event, we are still really looking forward to it. So we thought it would be nice of us to share the details with you. Hope to see you there!  THE GRAND SPECTACLE OCTOBER 4 @ 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM EVENT NAVIGATION   In partnership with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District,…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
July 29, 2020

Introducing our Harbor Media Initiative

For all of the challenges that have come with living through a pandemic, something magical has happened in the production industry as a direct result. This spring, when shoots (and the nation) came to a standstill due to COVID-19, we began filling our calendars with conversations. And just like that, we broke the glass ceiling of networking: We proved that…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsBusiness and Inspiration
July 20, 2020

Why We Strive to “Be a Blessing”

The photo above is from "National Donut Day" and we wrote a note to everyone on set to remind them, "We donut know what we'd do without YOU". Remember to be a blessing   If you know Grey House, you know that it was inspired by (and named after!) the little grey farmhouse where I spent my formative years. (The…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse News
July 15, 2020

Our Planned Actions as we Stand Against Racism and in Support of the Black Community

The artwork for this post was purchased from Mckenna Buckley, a 17 year-old Black artist from Los Angeles. View and purchase her work here. To say that George Floyd’s death has shaken us to our core is an understatement. In the weeks since, we’ve had time to take an honest, hard look at our company culture, and it’s hard to…
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Hannah Soto
0
Production Resources
June 22, 2020

Our First Shoot Back

We wish we could enthusiastically write, “Aaaaand, we’re back!” and simply pick up from where we left off before COVID-19. But the fact of the matter is, production looks different now. A lot different.   Our first shoot back wasn’t easy. The good news? We got through it, which means the next one will be even smoother.Continuing our ongoing efforts…
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Hannah Soto
0
Events + NetworkingProduction Resources
April 29, 2020

Where We Are Now: Episode 7

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash Workbook Radio and Dear Art Producer present Where We Are Now   A weekly webinar series created to talk about the state of affairs in our community. Each webinar has a fresh panel with different topics, input and/or resources from industry experts. This week we have assembled a panel to discuss the creation of universal guidelines for…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Production PartnersProduction Resources
April 22, 2020

Casting Creatively

When it comes to casting, we’re really invested in representation and pushing diversity as far as we can. For instance, with American Girl, our client has always been receptive to our suggestions of featuring girls from all walks of life in terms of a unique look, variety in body types, and so forth. But when we’re in a position to really…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
April 16, 2020

Digital Asset Management 101

As we posted recently, GHP runs almost exclusively from the cloud. So when it comes to digital asset management (DAM), we’re only as good as our ability to pull assets as needed. Considering the thousands upon thousands of assets we deal with on a single shoot (and multiple clients throughout month!), organization and DAM is everything — which is why…
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Hannah Soto
0
Events + NetworkingProduction Resources
March 25, 2020

The Road Ahead: Freelancing during COVID-19

Photo by Sora Sagano on Unsplash Thursday, March 26th @ 12-1p PST Limited to 100 participants, registration required. Panelists include: Andrea Stern, Artist Rep (Stern Reps), @asksternrep Joe Pugliese, Photographer, @joepug Hannah Soto, CEO & Founder of Grey House Productions, @greyhouseproductions Hosted by: Mathieu Young, Photographer (@mathieuyoung) & Founder, Art of Freelance (@artoffreelance) Here is a replay of the Webinar.
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Business and Inspiration
March 20, 2020

Creativity in Chaos: 5 ways we are redefining how productions happen during COVID-19

TO OUR DEAR CLIENTS, PARTNERS AND FRIENDS,  It’s hard to believe that just one week ago, I was out on a shoot in Atlanta when the national emergency surrounding COVID-19 was declared. Since returning home, like many of you, I’ve been taking things day by day, working with my team to reschedule (and, in some cases, cancel) jobs that we’d…
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Hannah Soto
0
Production Resources
March 18, 2020

(Updated 3.26) Resources for Freelancers Affected by COVID-19

Resources   Added on March 26th, 2020 Global Call to Creatives: An Open Brief from the United Nations COVID-19 Photography/Motion Industry Focused Resources   Below is the original content from March 18th, 2020   Grey House Productions is nothing without our incredible crew, which is why one group of people in particular has been heavy on my heart these past…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Production PartnersProduction Resources
April 22, 2020

Casting Creatively

When it comes to casting, we’re really invested in representation and pushing diversity as far as we can. For instance, with American Girl, our client has always been receptive to our suggestions of featuring girls from all walks of life in terms of a unique look, variety in body types, and so forth. But when we’re in a position to really…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Production Partners
September 12, 2019

Why you need a seasoned producer, not a local producer

We may be based in Chicago, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only city in which we have roots and resources. The knowledge and know-how that comes with seasoned experience is not always present in the zip code of your project. What does it mean to be “local”? With remote working on the rise, it’s becoming normal to live and…
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Hannah Soto
0
Production Partners
September 6, 2019

California Labor Law Loophole for Print Productions SB 671 HAS PASSED!

And a HUGE thank you to Prime Casting for leading the charge on this pivotal amendment. For years Prime Casting had been hearing from producers about talent (and their attorneys) filing claims for the "waiting time penalties" which simply state that if a talent isn't paid their wages upon wrap, the producer/photographer/agency is left responsible to pay a penalty which…
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Hannah Soto
0
Production PartnersProduction Resources
July 8, 2019

Studio Goals

No matter where we are in the world — even if we’re shooting in our own backyard in Chicago — we’re constantly on the hunt for the very best studio for the job. What makes for a good one? It all depends on the project! To start, we look at three key areas:  Space It’s not just about the physical space,…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationProduction PartnersProduction Resources
April 23, 2019

It’s Easy Being Green: Practicing Sustainability On Set

Earth Day is a natural reminder to think about our daily approach to sustainability and recycling. But when so much of our day-to-day is spent on set, the good habits we practice at home don’t always translate. Though we still have a long ways to go toward zero waste on set, we’ve managed to incorporate some key Earth-friendly practices into…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Production Resources
June 22, 2020

Our First Shoot Back

We wish we could enthusiastically write, “Aaaaand, we’re back!” and simply pick up from where we left off before COVID-19. But the fact of the matter is, production looks different now. A lot different.   Our first shoot back wasn’t easy. The good news? We got through it, which means the next one will be even smoother.Continuing our ongoing efforts…
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Hannah Soto
0
Events + NetworkingProduction Resources
April 29, 2020

Where We Are Now: Episode 7

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash Workbook Radio and Dear Art Producer present Where We Are Now   A weekly webinar series created to talk about the state of affairs in our community. Each webinar has a fresh panel with different topics, input and/or resources from industry experts. This week we have assembled a panel to discuss the creation of universal guidelines for…
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Hannah Soto
0
Production PartnersProduction Resources
April 22, 2020

Casting Creatively

When it comes to casting, we’re really invested in representation and pushing diversity as far as we can. For instance, with American Girl, our client has always been receptive to our suggestions of featuring girls from all walks of life in terms of a unique look, variety in body types, and so forth. But when we’re in a position to really…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Events + NetworkingProduction Resources
March 25, 2020

The Road Ahead: Freelancing during COVID-19

Photo by Sora Sagano on Unsplash Thursday, March 26th @ 12-1p PST Limited to 100 participants, registration required. Panelists include: Andrea Stern, Artist Rep (Stern Reps), @asksternrep Joe Pugliese, Photographer, @joepug Hannah Soto, CEO & Founder of Grey House Productions, @greyhouseproductions Hosted by: Mathieu Young, Photographer (@mathieuyoung) & Founder, Art of Freelance (@artoffreelance) Here is a replay of the Webinar.
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Production Resources
March 18, 2020

(Updated 3.26) Resources for Freelancers Affected by COVID-19

Resources   Added on March 26th, 2020 Global Call to Creatives: An Open Brief from the United Nations COVID-19 Photography/Motion Industry Focused Resources   Below is the original content from March 18th, 2020   Grey House Productions is nothing without our incredible crew, which is why one group of people in particular has been heavy on my heart these past…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
Production Resources
October 28, 2019

Our Bag of Tricks

There’s a reason why we show up with a cargo van of production supplies for each shoot. Call it our “bag of tricks” if you will, it’s got all of our must-haves to ensure that any production we’re running is done as efficiently as possible, and that the people involved have everything they need for a successful job. Curious what’s…
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Hannah Soto
0
Production Resources
September 19, 2019

What We Look For in our Crew

At Grey House, people are everything. So naturally, when it comes to building our crews, we put a lot of thought and care into aligning people who are not only a great cultural fit, but who we feel will thrive on a given job based on the client and director or photographer. Here’s what we look for in our crew,…
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Hannah Soto
0
Production Resources
July 23, 2019

These Two Things Could Win You More Jobs

The secret to winning client bids? Knowing and understanding that no two jobs are alike — nor are they won the same way. It’s often some combination of your portfolio, who you know, your strategy in approaching the job, and when you’re available — not to mention about a billion other details. That said, for all the jobs we’ve won…
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Hannah Soto
0
Production PartnersProduction Resources
July 8, 2019

Studio Goals

No matter where we are in the world — even if we’re shooting in our own backyard in Chicago — we’re constantly on the hunt for the very best studio for the job. What makes for a good one? It all depends on the project! To start, we look at three key areas:  Space It’s not just about the physical space,…
Read More
Hannah Soto
0
#TeamGreyHouse NewsProduction Resources
April 30, 2019

3 Ways #TeamGreyHouse Makes Every Shoot Even Better

We’ve always been big on logistics and hospitality. So when it comes to shoots, there are always a few things that can be overlooked, and we embrace. Sure, they’re small details, but we try to always remember that a rising tide lifts all boats. Here are three things we practice that have a really big, positive ripple for our clients.…
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Hannah Soto
0
Business and InspirationProduction PartnersProduction Resources
April 23, 2019

It’s Easy Being Green: Practicing Sustainability On Set

Earth Day is a natural reminder to think about our daily approach to sustainability and recycling. But when so much of our day-to-day is spent on set, the good habits we practice at home don’t always translate. Though we still have a long ways to go toward zero waste on set, we’ve managed to incorporate some key Earth-friendly practices into…
Read More

Let’s Make Magic Happen.

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      Learn about our unique blend of logistics and hospitality. From curating dream teams to hosting castings and fittings at our production studio, we’re here to make magic happen.

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