Andersen Windows, Xcel Energy shoot Union Spots in MN.

Two prominent Minnesota companies, Andersen Windows and Xcel Energy, shot union projects in Minnesota this summer.

Andersen Windows brought in Community Films director Greg Bell and Producer Barry Heaps from California to helm the project, Local agency was Solve. The director, Bell, has shot many high profile spots for big clients like Snickers, Amazon and Toyota. He is known for his efficient work and a sly sense of humor in his work.

IATSE member Mark Wojahn was the local art director. He says, “The project came in really fast. Agency told me on set the award was just 2 weeks before. I was really happy with my union art dept crew.

Union Set Dresser Bryan Bredahl, preps the window for camera.

(Wojahn continues) I had Chris Thickens as my Propmaster, Rob Walstead as my lead man and Bryan Bredahl as the set dresser. We needed everyone as we shot two 30 second and two 15 second spots in one day. The crew hit the ground running at call and didn’t look back till sunset”!

The other depts; Make up, Grip Electric and Crafty were well stacked with union crew.

490 Make up artist, Crist Ballas, gives last looks before the camera rolls.

Best Boy Grip Darin Spring and Key Grip David Pope discuss their plan at the location.

Look for the Andersen spots to stream on Hulu and air Fall of 2018.

XCEL energy worked with a MN agency, Yamamoto, who brought in the LA production company Wondros and english director and writer Gerald McMorrow for their union shot commercial. Local 490 Art director Terri Gold helmed the department. She commented that the producer and director loved shooting in Minnesota, “They loved the crew, they were impressed with everyone, loved the generic yet pretty skyline and thought the city was very clean”.

Location Charlotte Ariss gives a tour of Minneapolis’ Cedar lake.

Photo provided by Ariss Locations.

490 Locations Manager Charlotte Ariss and her team found the locations for the commercial. Of the experience, she says, “ We narrowed the number of lakes from 11,300 to 2. We had a very successful scout!”

490 Lead Man Brian Simpson works with the grip dept for some water work.

Photo provided by Terri Gold.

Grip Dan Miller moves a 4x4 floppy past the dolly track. Photo provided by Ariss Locations.

Look for these Union crewed spots to debut sometime in the fall of 2018.

Art and G&E trucks lined the streets at the location. Photo provided by Ariss Location.

Picture Factory brought their telescoping crane in for the production.

Photo provided by Ariss Location.

Local 490 thanks these businesses; Anderson Windows, Xcel Energy, Solve, Community Films and Wondros, for paying good wages, health care, workers comp and retirement benefits to union film crews in Minnesota.