Laughing: We're going to be on TV!
April 2023
When was the last time you spend the afternoon giggling like a middle school girl on a sleepover?
For me, it was yesterday at Create. You see, a local film crew descended upon our little studio to film a local dating show. It was one of those random opportunities thanks to a visionary and creative locally-based producer. Sweet, right?!
The jyst is familiar to most: Two strangers met at Create and did a very quick wheel throwing class to get to know one another as possible romantic partners. At some other point, they’ll decide if they want to continue dating and meet up for a final decision. My role was to teach an abbreviated wheel throwing class over which they could bond- or not. Angela (one of our amazing Create instructors) was there for whatever support was needed.
The film crew of 10+ people came in, looked at the space, moved around some furniture, and we got started. I got “miked up” gave a quick intro-interview to talk about Create, and the importance of accessible art studios. I tried not to look directly at the camera nor stumble over my words. I did both at least once.
There’s something about a camera on me that makes me smile and laugh, blush like I’m getting away with something.
As is natural on the first day of wheel throwing, some people struggle. Body positioning, water usage, wheel speed, pressure- all of that can be challenging to navigate at first. Add that together with three cameras, two people who are trying to get to know one another under awkward circumstances, me off to the side trying to give them some basic instruction and also stay out of the way to let them chat and crack some of the endless jokes ceramics instruction lends itself to. The result: the whole bunch of us were just smiling the whole time.
Every time I looked over at Angela off to the side waiting and watching, we’d both burst into laughter. She’d snap a picture, I’d mostly pull it together, and we’d giggle again. Two grown, professional women, laughing hysterically.
The crew, which has surely seen scenes similar over and over, were professionals. But us three in front of the camera and Angela over on the side back…. laughter all day long.
The normal day in and day out at an art studio is a great gig of messy work that we love. Throw into that a random creative opportunity where we get to do something new and laugh all day? A dream!
Fun things happen in this space. We don’t always know what exactly is going to happen and there aren’t usually cameras. The odds are still high that if you come in for a class of any length, you’re going to find yourself smiling your way through your evening.
The show will be aired locally this summer, and we’ll most definitely send you the details! Until then, I hope you find a way to giggle your way through an afternoon.