Hi, I’m Jack, Technical Director at Around the Corner Productions. Over past few years, I’ve had the chance to be on many film sets, and I’ve always enjoyed the intricacies of what goes on behind the camera. I thought it would be fun to give you a glimpse through my eyes by sharing some interesting and memorable behind-the-scenes moments I’ve captured during my time at ATCP.
Enjoy the following BTS photos!
8.10.2018
My First Day on the Job
Cedar Falls, IA | Panther Sports Talk
I’ll never forget my first day! We filmed a sit-down interview for the first episode of the 2018 season Panther Sports Talk (PST), our weekly TV show. While running the close up camera on UNI’s athletic director I remember feeling a little nervous, thinking, “This is going to be on TV!” Thankfully, Eric Braley and Brad Wells were incredibly encouraging, making the shoot feel fun and relaxed. Since then, I’ve filmed dozens of PST interviews, but none quite as memorable as my first day stepping into the professional world.
6.3.2019
Water and a Cinema Camera—Not the Best Mix
Cedar Falls, IA | University of Northern Iowa
You know what’s a nerve-racking combo? A really expensive cinema camera and a creek of running water. I remember passing our Sony F5 down the drop into the creek so Jacob Meade to get some cinematic shots for a University of Northern Iowa commercial. It was a little stressful, but totally worth it to capture those stunning low angles next to the water. Thankfully, I didn’t have to get wet during that shoot!
Watch the final result here at 00:18.
11.18.2019
Filming at the Historic TechWorks Campus
Waterloo, IA | Lincoln Savings Bank
TechWorks Campus in Waterloo is an old building with a lot of history. In 2020, Lincoln Savings Bank renovated the top two floors, transforming the space into a super unique office. We filmed interviews there late on a chilly November day. It didn’t help that there was no heat in the building yet! But the space was a dream to film in because of how open it was. It was a nice change not having to cram into a corner like what can sometimes happen for interviews.
Watch the interviews in this video.
4.19.2021
A Baby Commercial… with a Cinema Camera as a Webcam?
Cedar Falls, IA | Buy Buy Baby
In April 2021, we had a commercial shoot for Buy Buy Baby. Since we were taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we set up a video stream from our main camera so clients could watch remotely from New York. At one point, we found ourselves holding up different outfits for the baby to wear—and it felt a little funny using our high-end cinema camera as a webcam!
Catch a glimpse of the shoot here 19 seconds in.
4.4.2023
Prepping for Perfection
Boulder, CO | Sweater
I always go into a shoot fully prepared and knowledgeable about the camera rigs and equipment we’ll be using. Sometimes, that means setting everything up in our studio beforehand. For example, when we took the jib to Colorado to film a live event, it was extra important to fine-tune the setup—balancing weights, adjusting cables, and double-checking every detail. The effort paid off, and the event went off without a hitch!
Check out the jib shots (first one at 00:45) through this link.
9.29.2023
A Foggy Morning on the Farm
Walnut, IL | John Deere
Growing up on a farm gave me a love for filming in that setting, especially when we shoot documentary style. On this particular shoot, Devin Harschnek and I woke up early to capture some beauty shots of a farmer’s new John Deere combine. We were hoping for a bright sunrise but ended up with a misty, eerie morning fog instead. This shot was taken from the back of the van while Devin grabbed some wide shots with the gimbal. We walked away having captured some unique shots that helped tell the farmer’s story in a way we hadn’t before.
3.2.2024
Burning the Midnight Oil
Cedar Falls, IA | Burning the Midnight Oil
Burning the Midnight Oil was a passion project short film that was an absolute blast to shoot. We filmed “day for night,” using blue coverings over the windows to simulate moonlight, and pulled out plenty of tricks to create just the right mood. I had a great time sitting in my little nook pulling focus—and running back and forth between takes to fan around more fog from the machine!
5.3.2024
Filming at Cedar Rock – A Mid-Century Modern Fan’s Dream
Cedar Rock by Frank Lloyd Wright | The Gerrig Problem
During location scouting for another short film, Cedar Rock (the Lowell Walter House) quickly became a top contender. I’ve always been fascinated by Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs, so the chance to film inside one of his creations was beyond exciting. Our biggest challenge was treating the space with the utmost care while bringing in gear, crew, and actors. Another tricky aspect was managing the sunlight pouring through the ceiling’s skylights. With permission and supervision from the park manager, we carefully climbed onto the roof and gaff-taped wax paper over the windows to diffuse the light.
Reflecting on Growth
Working on this post brought back so many great memories. I’ve grown so much as a professional, and I credit that growth to the culture at ATCP, where we’re encouraged to develop our skills and play to our strengths. As a team, we push each other to be our best and produce high-end, meaningful videos. Just as I’ve grown, ATCP has evolved too—refining our techniques, expanding our crew, and becoming more capable than ever of delivering exceptional work.