DO MORE WITH DUGUD
The world is changing and we’re ready. We understand that COVID-19 has disrupted how creativity gets produced and folks are anxiously adjusting to how we come together. We, too, are tired of racism, tired of the status quo, tired of micro-aggressions, and tired of police brutality. Both of these viruses - COVID-19 and racism - wreak havoc in our communities.
The health and safety of our clients, crew members, vendors and communities is one of our top priorities. We will continue to offer the same quality, timely services albeit with a few new safety/accountability protocols and an even stronger commitment to our values.
Here are some of the ways we plan to do more as we move forward and navigate getting back to set.
All bids will include PPE (masks, hand sanitizer, gloves) and only absolutely essential crew members until a vaccine is implemented.
Our producers will check with crew prior to shoot days to ask if any crew members are experiencing symptoms. Crew members will also be required to get tested prior to a shoot day. Temperatures will be checked, away from set, upon arrival to the shoot. Anyone with a fever, anyone experiencing symptoms, or anyone who has not received COVID-19 test results, will not be allowed on set. Producers will circle back with crew members two weeks after we wrap to see how folks are doing.
The crew will be asked to wear masks, gloves (as appropriate), wash hands regularly and practice social distancing (whenever possible) on set. We will also be sanitizing materials in a UVC box throughout the day. We will monitor and implement behavioral shifts on set as advised by the Center for Disease Control and other experts.
We will offer remote shoots as an alternative to clients that do not feel comfortable filming in person and want to limit exposure. There will be virtual review systems implemented to ensure we can still receive brand feedback and keep the spirit of collaboration alive.
Any meals on set will be individually wrapped to limit the exposure buffet style might bring.
We will continue to do more as it relates to:
Prioritize hiring BI/POC, LGBTQ folks, women (and the folks who exist at various intersections) on set and behind the camera.
Advocate for diverse talent, specifically Black models, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people. We will continue to push for more dark-skinned, plus-sized, and gender non-confirming talent since we understand there is a gap and that representation matters.
Challenge racism, homophobia, transphobia, harassment, and microaggressions both on and off set. We will back up our commitment with accountability protocols.
Continue to engage in difficult conversations in our communities to promote and extend dignity and respect to all.
As a Black, LGBTQ+ owned business, we stand in solidarity with BI/POC, LGBTQ folks, and others who have been disenfranchised and underrepresented. We look forward to continuing our advocacy both in front of and behind the camera lens.
MAY WE MALIBU
We’re on our way to summer! You’ve followed our partnership with Macerich Shopping Centers along through January, February, March and April. Now, we’re walking on sunshine with all things summer fashion. Whether it’s a walk on the beach with your favorite person, summer picnics, Prom, or just pulling out your favorite floral jumpsuit, there’s bound to be a look for everyone. Denim blues were popular this season, especially with pops of mustard.
We love the home vignettes that prop stylist, Jaclyn Kershek, was able to create. She even borrowed some materials from make-up artist, Denise Bugarin’s, kit to create a make-up flat lay that was all love.
Dance your way through the image galleries we created to inspire us through summer lovin’.
THE FUTURE OF WORK
Last summer, we had the pleasure of working on a series with The We Company (formerly WeWork). We first traveled to their headquarters in San Francisco to meet John Hjelmstad, the VP of Engineering. He sat with us to talk technology and how their company wants to help people “make a fife, not just a living,” through community & technological advances. Our crew traveled back to New York to visit one of WeWork’s many Manhattan offices. Several employees echoed the same sentiments as John, sharing their experiences with the company. Director of Culture Operations, Anita Shannon, emphasized the culture at WeWork and their commitment to empowering people to pursue entrepreneurship.
“Culture - the energy that surrounds us.”
One thing that really struck us was how Anita described what she considers culture - "the energy that surrounds us." Her main priority is to create a work environment that is proactive in evolving culture through diversity, support, and systematic happiness for the community at WeWork to flourish. Our team was happy to handle production and post-production for such an inspiring bunch of enterpreneurs.
We’ll help you work out your eyes with the series below. Let us know what you think in the comments.
BACK TO COOL WITH MACERICH
This summer we spent some time with Macerich shopping centers for this AW18 social campaign. We focused on this season’s trends and headed upstate to a gorgeous mid-century modern estate in Chappaqua to hang poolside. From neon and prints to monochromatic moments, we wanted to capture still images that make back to school cool again. For more information on the images we captured, and to see our awesome locations, check out the final images here.
DELIVERING KINDNESS
At Dugud Lab, we are always a fan of companies that prioritize and focus on giving back to their communities - whether it be local or abroad. During last year’s Veteran’s day, we were able to follow a group of Unilever employees that work with Adopt-A-Soldier Platoon organization to deliver care packages to soldiers overseas. It was pretty amazing to hear stories of people of all walks of life coming together for this great cause. We even met employees that had received these packages while deployed and now they pay it forward by creating these packages for others.
MITÚ JOINS US ON SET
Photographer & Dugud Lab co-founder, Zack McDowell, was featured on mitú for our recent collaboration with Dior Vargas' mental health photo project. He handled key photography for the book, The Color of My Mind: Mental Health Narratives from People of Color. Check out the teaser video and learn more about the individuals involved in this project.
THE COLOR OF THE MIND
Dugud Lab has partnered with Latinx feminist and mental health advocate, Dior Vargas, on an exciting new photography project. Dior has worked over the past few years speaking and leading conversations about the intersection of race and mental health. She is the creator of the People of Color and Mental Illness Photo Project and we have teamed up to expand that message into an artistic exhibit that will be released early next year and a book in the near future. Dugud Lab and Dior will be working over the next month to capture portraits and stories of 60 people of color in NYC who share stories of their health experiences.
We’ve already began conversations and capturing the beautiful lives of individuals in the Bronx and Brooklyn but are hoping to cover more territory. Currently we have a few slots open for those who want to participate in our studio shoot taking place May 27th & 28th. If you’re interested and available in joining this project, live in the NY metro area and fit any of the descriptions below - sign up online at Dior's site.
Asian or Native American
Male, trans, or gender non-conforming
Live in Queens
Couples, friends or family members also dealing with mental illness (group interview)
People with physical disabilities
***Update: the book has been completed and published. The Color of My Mind: Mental Health Narratives from People of Color is available for purchase now.