Passion project alert! Now this one is interesting, because it started out as a completely commercial project, but quickly grew into something so much more. This is a perfect example of how I breathe life into a project.  🛠, SAW

watch “Plugo Farm”    🎬    the 3:00 deluxe edit    |    the :60 cut    |    the :30 cut

Let me set the stage. When it comes to tv spots, branded content and documentary shorts, we offer a couple of different production methods:

TURN-KEY: written, directed and edited by KN+SAW in-house
or
TRADITIONAL: directed by KN+SAW, and finished at your post production editorial house of choice.

This was a TURN-KEY project. I concepted - wrote - directed - edited this piece 💯% myself.

producing “Plugo Farm”  ·  my passion  |  part one

This project began with selling the client on my original idea and concluded with having them telling me, “We Love It!”

The client came to me early, about 8 weeks prior to the shoot, for both ideas and inspiration. There was no deck. There were no boards.

On our first Google Meet call, we discussed the new game, it’s S.T.E.A.M. Learning benefits, and their company’s passion - but we did not talk concept for the spot. Please note: this creative call was very different from most where I would be reacting to a script that had already been written and a concept pre-approved. Not with this call.

This scenario allowed trading philosophies, sharing learned experiences, and gaining mutual trust. We did not discuss concept for the spot at all. The actual concepting was completely left up to me once the call was completed. With all of this conceptual freedom, inspiration did indeed strike. As I began to write the script, and develop my pitch, ideas began to build, one upon another until I had created something very special and unique.

I presented my concept and the client loved it. I jumped on pre-production very early with my A-Team and that really gave us a leg up on logistics. As I dialed in the script, casting and locations with my producer and crew, this “commercial” project quickly grew into a “passion” project.

There was a collective feeling amongst cast and crew that “this one” was special. In addition to feeling the reward of working hard, there was an air that was artistically recharging and invigorating for us all.

Often times when a client is sold on an idea, there will be a tendency for the client to pull back, and retreat to the safe center rather than sticking with the vision to execute the idea to the creative edge. I applaud my client for wholeheartedly embracing the comedic direction I scripted and in doing so, allowing us to take the story to the brink.

They would even go a step further and say, “we talked as a team, and we thought what if…”; and their “what if” would be an awesome idea! That’s when I knew we were truly on the same page.

stand by for  part two…  my process

Hi there. I’m Stephen Austin Welch, a commercial director & advertising photographer.

We shoot broadcast & print campaigns for ad agencies, creative firms and companies both locally in California and around the globe.

In our Directing work, we shoot kids & family spots, lifestyle spots and real people documentary shorts.

With my Still Photography, I specialize in crafting lifestyle images with a twist, genuine portraits and dramatic landscapes.

See ’em all on our websites:  spots  »  knsaw.com  &  stills  »  sawphoto.com

Call me, SAW, for the next visual story you want to tell.

We love to shoot!