Introducing the latest Tongaler of the Month and one of our #tongies2015 nominees…Side of Fries! Jordan Allen and Luke Rocheleau are the fun, hardworking dudes that make up this team. Read on to find out about their unique approach, their passions and their funny casting sessions!
Izzy Francke: What’s your filmmaking/production background? Did you go to film school?
Jordan Allen: I actually started out by acting from the ages of 9-13 before making my jump to behind the camera. None of my friends growing up could edit, but they all wanted to make a movie so I, by default, took over that position with no concept as to how much I would fall in love with it. I continued to teach myself through high school and into college, eventually transferring to Chapman University with a major in film production. It was at this time Luke and I formed “Side of Fries” and something you need to know about Luke is that he is a very persuasive man, as he effectively talked me out of going back for my Junior year, telling me to save my money and learn on set! Something I never thought I would do, but I have to say it is the best decision I have made so far and for that I owe him a good ol’ tip of the hat.
Luke Rocheleau: Movies were such a big part of my life growing up, I think this was my first film school without even knowing it! Attending the cinema was like entering a dream chamber; anything could happen if you wanted it. In high school I learned about non-linear digital editing and started to make my own little shorts, which eventually led me to attend the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Looking back I'm glad I went but I would encourage younger kids to do their best to get on set and keep making their own films. It really is the best classroom and you'll save a fortune!!
IF: Cool! It’s great that you’re both happy with your decisions. How did you find Tongal?
JA: I was looking for alternate ways to make money on the side to pay for school. I believe I entered and took 4th in a contest for Jack Links. I was so excited I began following all the jobs that would pop up. A little while later I met Luke on set. We hit it off and began brainstorming some potential shorts we could do together, blending his camera work and my post work. This is when the brain wave hit and we decided to collaborate on Tongal.
IF: It seems like fate that you two are working together, and we’re glad you found Tongal. What do you look for in a Tongal Project and what specifically attracts you to one when there are so many on the site?
JA: The biggest thing that attracts us to Projects are the brand’s goals. Luke and I try not to box ourselves in with styles or genres but we have a very specific sense of humor and always love it when that humor lines up with a brand.
IF: It’s cool that you have a keen sense of your filmmaking style and stick to it. How do you guys divvy up your responsibilities as a team? What are your specific roles?
JA: Luke and I write and direct all our Projects together. Luke’s background involves being a steadicam op and Eagle Scout, so as you can imagine this brings a keen understanding of camera builds and lens types, along with a can-do will-do attitude towards all things physical. You see, the sun gives him strength; the sun and I, however, are not on speaking terms as my background involves spending far too much time in a dark room, hunched over a keyboard. So as you might imagine, I handle the media and post side, including visual effects.
IF: Sweet teamwork! Your Video “A Day in the Life,” which won first place for Shutterstock’s “Lights, Camera, Action Video Project” was intended for the Brazilian market. Do you guys speak Portuguese? What led you to Pitch for that market in particular?
JA: We do not speak more than two words of Portuguese between us, and one of those words is “no” so you can imagine how fun it was running lines for a Portuguese voice over! We just kept telling him “we are trusting you with this” and in placing first I think our “beg and pray” method worked out great for us, so we owe him a high five and a nice fish dinner. As far as why we pitched, Luke and I both love Brazil and wanted to capture a little bit of the city’s essence and rhythm. We had some connections in the city and thought we could make something spicy, so we just closed our eyes and swung for the fences hoping Shutterstock would catch that same vibe.
IF: Impressive! Plus, you definitely captured the vibe. Your Video “Childsplay” for the “Pop Secret Video Project” is nominated for a Tongie for Best Broadcast Spot. The kids in this one are so funny! How did you cast for this Project? What was it like working with them?
JA: We love the casting process simply because it’s a time to play with our script and see what all the different actors bring to the different parts. For this one in particular Luke just had all the bullies insult me. And I’m sad to say this is not the first audition that’s happened. The really creative ones aka the ones who insulted me in ways I’d never dreamed of, were selected. As for working with them on set, they were all really well behaved, which is an obvious blessing when working with 20+ eleven year olds. Our main kid (the one being bullied) was especially professional and we even saw him chatting up one of the extras during a break. We thought we cast a little boy, but it appears we cast a little man.
IF: Hilarious – I wish I’d been there to hear some of his pick up lines! I also love your Video “Fuel Your Fun” for the “Kool Aid TV Commercial Project.” You do a great job of combining animation and live action. Can you tell us about that process?
JA+ LR: This commercial was a monster to plan due to the fact we only had one day to shoot it, and when working with children that day is even shorter than normal. So we just took a few days to prep, looked at what we needed for each shot, and most importantly, planned multiple ways to capture each effect in case one method failed in post. That is always our motto with special effects: cover your bases!
A fun fact about this spot, however, is that in the first draft we were told not to show the Kool-Aid man in any way, shape, or form, so we obliged. Later in the revisionary round we were asked to find a way to insert the Kool-Aid man into the commercial, which was an uh-oh moment seeing as we never game planned for it. So after racking our brains as to where we could put him, we decided to just stuff him in the wormhole which actually turned out to be a pretty significant upgrade to the flow of the spot and a great “Oh yeah!” moment. Sometimes things just have a way of sorting themselves out!
IF: You handled that situation very well, the spot turned out great! What’s your favorite work you’ve done for Tongal?
JA: My personal favorite is still the Pringles commercial. Any shoot where I get to see child storm troopers, a break dancing wookiee, and a mini sith lord is a shoot I will cherish forever.
LR: My favorite Tongal Project to date is the Gain Project. I loved how quickly things turned to go down the "weird" path on set and how we ended up with something not originally planned. I like to think we're not afraid to chase off the wall or dark concepts. Some of my favorite stuff is dark and way out there and I still laugh my head off when he asks the girl in the laundromat: "You know what cake is don't you?!"— it's not for everyone but I enjoy it.
IF: Great choices. What would be your dream Project on Tongal?
JA + LR: If we ever got to work with Old Spice, I think our heads would explode.
IF: I think everyone at Tongal HQ would love to see you guys make an Old Spice Video! What are your daily must-reads?
JA: I’m not personally into reading when it comes to film so I can’t really recommend anything. Instead I try to dive into potential effects or concepts I’d like to master on the post side and do a little bit of research each day on specific methods of execution – which sounds boring having just read it out loud, but I swear it’s not!
LR: I'm a sucker for American Cinematographer. I love to see what the world’s best filmmakers are doing with lights and it helps me keep up on the ever-changing world of digital cameras. I also visit the SteadicamForum daily.
IF: Good sources, Luke. And Jordan, we definitely don’t think you’re boring – your research method has paid off! Tell us a fun fact or surprising hobby about yourselves.
JA: A fun fact about me is that, like most of us, I have always dreamed of having a home movie theater and just 3 months ago I am proud to say I completed it! It’s a blacked out room with theater seating, 7.2 Dolby surround sound, and 120” projection. It is the reason I have forgotten the feeling of sunlight.
LR: I'm a drummer and love to get in a jam session whenever I have time. I finally got a lock out space with a buddy that provides 24 hour access so I'm super stoked. It's great to clear your head or just let off some steam.
IF: Both of those are super cool. By the way, team Tongal is totally up for a screening in your home movie theater…we’ll bring the popcorn and candy! Do you have any advice for other Tongalers?
JA: I would say that if you are just starting out on Tongal, be wise in picking your Projects. Find brands that really share your vision/style and just go for it. When Luke and I first started out on Tongal, all of our pitches were rejected, but we believed that they would “love it once they saw it” and gambled with our own money. We turned out to be right and to this day I’m so glad we didn’t lose faith in our concepts!
IF: That’s sound and helpful advice. What’s next for you, on Tongal or otherwise?
JA + LR: I believe the old saying is “Man makes plans and God laughs” so to be honest we don’t know what’s around the next corner but we are excited for whatever comes our way. In the meantime we are wrapping up a few commercials while in the process of bidding on more! We are also looking to branch further into music videos, shorts, personal Projects, and hopefully are around the corner from a first feature.
Sounds like you guys have an awesome year ahead of you! Team Tongal is so glad we got to know more about Side of Fries’ creative process and work…we can’t wait to see your next Tongal Project!
