Steve Gaines Creative Director

Hopefully you have had the chance to see our recent Boysville spot. We are proud of it on a number of levels. First, we think it is a strong idea that our client let us run with. Two, we pulled it off on a small budget. Three, it turned my oldest son, Aidan, into a big-headed superstar. And lastly, but certainly not least, was the generous spirit of the talented people who worked on this project and all the great kids (and the parents who waited in the heat) who made this project a reality.

Our small crew included:

Coe Douglas, a true friend of Causality and writer who polished our idea and also acted as best boy/key grip/gaffer and all those titles we see in movies and don’t understand what they are.

Rick Lopez shot and edited the spot and suggested ideas that made the spot better. Without his time and effort we would have had a hard time producing a spot of this quality.

Rudy Ortiz, one of our art directors, who brought his niece and cousin as talent and helped out when we needed an extra pair of hands.

And I was there, to basically be bossy and say, ‘Read this line. Again. Again. Again.’

So in honor to those who made our shoot possible, we share these following photos with you.

Notice Rick’s homemade yet highly effective dolly system.

Here we are reviewing and assigning the speaking parts—using short reads to weave our story. Always remember, if you are going to use volunteer talent, don’t give them the Gettysburg Address to read.

My son stealing the show—and he hasn’t been the same since.

We had a great location that made for a beautiful backdrop. We did have a few challenges. The day was windy and played havoc with audio and the park is located in the airport’s flight path—even more audio fun. There also tends to be all those inconveniences that come with people using a park—and walking into your shot or speaking, screaming and otherwise having a good time.

Terri Gaines President
There’s no doubt about it, 2009 has been a tough year for most everyone. People are cutting back and changing their habits in ways experts believe will be long lasting, if not permanent.

Even as consumers are cutting back on unnecessary items and finding ways to scrimp and save, many of us are actually finding ways to give more whether it be time and talents or donations of goods or money. It seems that even as we experience these tough times, many of us are realizing that “as bad as it may be for me, there are others who have it worse.”

Maybe you’re taking groceries to the food bank or visiting homeless animals at the local shelter with your children.

Perhaps you’re like many people who want to do something good but don’t have a lot of time. May we suggest buying your holiday gifts where a portion of the price goes to a good cause?

The team at Causality has put together a list of a few ideas of a few of our favorite options for gift giving purchases that will benefit good causes. There’s still time to order and you’ll feel great about it, too!

1. Buy this cute bear and support post-adoption charities:
http://bit.ly/postadoptionbear

2. Order floral arrangements designed to benefit specific causes:
http://bit.ly/flowersforgood

3. Buy gifts for friends human or fuzzy and help animals in need:
http://bit.ly/aspcagifts

4. Adopt endangered or threatened wildlife:
http://bit.ly/adoptwildlife

5. Pottery Barn candle benefiting St. Jude’s:
http://bit.ly/potterybarn

6. La Madeleine “cause card” supporting the Susan G. Komen Foundation:
http://bit.ly/lamadeleine

7. Sponsor a shelter for a dog:
http://bit.ly/angelforadog

8. If you’re looking for greater choice, you can name your cause, buy online from your usual stores and a percentage of your purchase is donated.
http://bit.ly/goodshop

Or for the ultimate in spreading “good” give a subscription to GOOD magazine, you can even get a t-shirt and your name printed in the magazine.
http://bit.ly/goodmagazine

We’re always looking for more great ideas for giving that we can share with our Causality friends. Please share your ideas below.

As always, do good, help others, go home happy!

Happy Holidays from Causality!