I didn’t want to like her at first.  Her exaggerated hairstyle, makeup, and enthusiasm were too much to bear in a 30 second spot.  The antiseptic white, dream-like “superstore” she inhabited and teased crown screamed to me: “I’m from another era – one in which you could trust people!”  Meanwhile her Chuck Taylors whispered seductively: “Do you like Death Cab, or are you older and more into Pavement?”  It seemed righteous for me to find the Progressive Insurance “Flo” commercials stupid, annoying, and manipulative.  But, Flo grew on me, and like many others (check her Facebook page) I fell hard.      read more...

A recent article in the New York Times suggests that touch…even the slightest physical contact…can quickly and effectively communicate positive emotions.  read more...

  Every holiday season, the young at heart gather together and create adorable, edible creations called "ginger bread houses". With icing splattering on everything, and candy sprinkles littering countertops and carpets alike, these colorful creations have entertained for millions of years, when the cavemen first invented the tradition.  read more...

WHY? WHY? WHY?  This three letter word is both the bane of my existence and the driving force behind my job at Citizen Pictures where I have been freelancing, on and off, since 2005.  I’ve worn a nice selection of hats at this video production facility, from PA to marketing assistant, from writer to producer, but my primary position has been that of researcher for the programming department.  Or content, as they call it now.  I literally search the world for story ideas that will be featured on cable network shows like World’s Best Beaches, Honeymoon Hotspots, Giada’s Weekend Getaways and Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin, to name a few.  WHY, of course, encompasses all of the traditional reporter questions - who, what, when, where and how, but it boils down to WHY are we doing this story, with this character, on this show.  read more...

I wanted to create an animation that travels through all of the seasons, and eventually brings you right back where you started, as a visual “cycle of life”. The plan is to also showcase various illustration styles along the way. 

I started out with autumn because it can be the most dramatic season, with all of the bright colors and strong winds. Also, I have always been a big fan of Halloween. I created the house in a woodcut-looking style mostly because I did a lot of pen-and-ink illustration years ago. I also wanted this to be a dimensional environment. This was accomplished using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects and Cinema 4D.  read more...

Before I began my career in the production industry, I would sit down in front of the TV to enjoy a show and relax for 30 minutes, not realizing all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into making this show that I thoughtlessly watched. Then there were the commercials; as soon as it was time for “a break from our sponsors” I jumped for the remote to change the channel, like most TV viewers.  read more...

This Old Spice commercial is awesome! You can't stop looking...you kinda want to look away but you just can't. So funny...enjoy!!

I want to delve deep into a very important topic…you know it is…lunch! If there is one common theme among video production houses, and the entertainment business in general, it’s food, and we tend to be enthusiastic foodie’s here at Citizen! So rather than dish about work today, I’m going to rave about the best beet salad I have ever laid my taste buds on!   Squeaky Bean resides at the corner of Tejon and 33rd in the LoHi neighborhood, in a charming old building that used to be an apothecary.  The owner John is quite proud of his new establishment, sourcing only the best ingredients from local growers:  seasonal, organic, sustainable, unique and delectable.  His beet salad is presented on a rectangular white plate, with an incredibly creamy basil vinaigrette base.  The multi-colored, perfectly steamed, al dente beets are piled high on top of spicy greens, garnished with shaved pecorino and rough chop hazelnuts, and finished off with micro-herbs.  The flavors all pop. In short, it’s a party in your mouth!  I suggest dining in, in order to appreciate the beautiful presentation, and you should get one per person, as you will not want to share!  www.thesqueakybean.net

Heidi Brueggeman

Is it Friday, Saturday..???...Did I really just lose a day traveling to New Zealand? Epic voyage that had me taking off with friend, cameraman, and travel partner Josh Bane in the freezing Denver afternoon…to LA…to Auckland….to Rotarua in the North Island of New Zealand. Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin…New Zealand! Flight was unmemorable except for Josh trying to sweet talk anything that moved to get us bumped up to a better seat. Turns out the better seats were exit rows next to the gallery. Word from the wise…if your traveling 13 hours on a plane ride, don’t take the seats where everyone and their mother’s stands to do their stretching, their baby walking, their group gathering…. you get the picture. read more...