01
Casting
The lead chef needed timing, confidence, and enough control to make the joke land without feeling forced.
This one was fun, but it started with real prep. The lead chef mattered. We needed a kid who could carry the commercial, hit lines, keep timing, and bring personality without pushing it too far.
We went through multiple script revisions before landing on the final tone. It had to feel confident and a little sharp, but still playful. Once the script locked, the shoot became about control: what needed to be covered, where the camera had to move, and how to keep the day from getting loose.
The lead chef came through a Chicago talent agency, and it showed. His delivery was strong, his timing worked, and a few lines had us cracking up behind the camera. The rest of the cast came from the neighborhood, including Violet, who stepped in front of the camera this time.
Most setups were clean two angle coverage. Simple, controlled, and efficient. The hardest move was the tracking shot through the kitchen, backing through tight space on a gimbal while trying to stay smooth and avoid getting taken out by a prep table.
We had a hard window from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. before the restaurant opened and the kitchen heat went live. We got every shot. Wrapped on time. No scramble. The kids showed up ready, the energy stayed high, and the whole thing felt organized from start to finish.