Gallery • 9 Photos

By Grace Kauffman

Senior art director of Marlin Quentin Brown discusses plans for the shoot with senior marketing manager of Frito Lays Jameson Stengel.

Interview with producer Maggie McLandsborough by JAG photographer Grace Kauffman and Mill Valley Television producer Emma Barge.

Mill Valley News: Please explain what you are doing at Mill Valley.

Producer Maggie McLandsborough: We are shooting a production for the food service line product that’s coming out.

MVN: Why did you choose to do the photo shoot at Mill Valley?

MM: We had a few different schools to choose from. We toured five schools, and this school best fit the look that the art director was going for, for the overall photo shoot.

MVN: What do you hope to accomplish with the photo shoot?

MM: All of the photos that we shoot for this photo shoot will be used on a website for food service providers. So, the lunch ladies can go to that website and order the new food that’s coming out and hopefully pick out some new recipes as well.

MVN: When will these photos start being used?

MM: These photos will start being used in February. It will be online on a website for the food service ladies.

MVN: Are you trying to reach a younger audience by shooting in a high school and casting school students?

MM: [Yes], we are trying to reach a younger audience. This particular client is relaunching their K-12 food items, so that’s why we chose the high school. 

MVN: What message are you trying to convey to customers from the commercial?

MM: We are trying to get the customers to buy the food of our client.

MVN: What do you hope to get from the kids you’ve casted so far? 

MM: We tried to cast people who were relatable and that looked like they were having a good time eating food, which would probably be harder than you think, so that’s what we looked for, for casting.

MVN: Does this project differ from other commercials you’ve made so far? If so, how?

MM: This is my first time working with this client, so I’m not sure if they differ, but they are definitely just going for a bright, very approachable look.

MVN: How do you think filming in a school will increase sales?

MM: Having a real environment [and] not having the shoot in the studio makes a big difference.