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The Making of a Magazine Cover: Behind the Scenes of Our 40th Anniversary Issue!
Video filmed and edited by Jeffrey K. Wood
Special Thanks:
- 4DD Studios – "40" Numeral Production
- Angel David Verde – Cover Photographer
- Roxy Broom – Photo & Style Assistant
- Caroline McKean – Art Director
- Ruth Herdman – Graphic Designer
- Arielle Rosmarino, Miss Virginia USA 2014 – Cover Model
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Production of the giant "4" and "0" numerals took place at 4DD Studios in downtown Roanoke.
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Ruth Herdman
Production of the giant "4" and "0" numerals took place at 4DD Studios in downtown Roanoke.
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Production of the giant "4" and "0"numerals took place at 4DD Studios in downtown Roanoke.
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Production of the giant "4" and "0"numerals took place at 4DD Studios in downtown Roanoke.
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Ruth Herdman
Production of the giant "4" and "0"numerals took place at 4DD Studios in downtown Roanoke.
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Ruth Herdman
Production of the giant "4" and "0"numerals took place at 4DD Studios in downtown Roanoke.
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Ruth Herdman
Production of the giant "4" and "0"numerals took place at 4DD Studios in downtown Roanoke.
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Ruth Herdman
Production of the giant "4" and "0"numerals took place at 4DD Studios in downtown Roanoke.
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Ruth Herdman
Production of the giant "4" and "0"numerals took place at 4DD Studios in downtown Roanoke.
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Ruth Herdman
Production of the giant "4" and "0"numerals took place at 4DD Studios in downtown Roanoke.
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Ruth Herdman
Production of the giant "4" and "0"numerals took place at 4DD Studios in downtown Roanoke.
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Ruth Herdman
Production of the giant "4" and "0"numerals took place at 4DD Studios in downtown Roanoke.
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Ruth Herdman
Voila!
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Next came the photo shoot - also in downtown Roanoke.
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Jeffrey K. Wood
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Photographer Angel David Verde was chosen to shoot the cover, assited by Roxy Broom - here standing in for Arielle Rosmarino while Angel checks the lighting.
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Jeffrey K. Wood
The lovely and talented Arielle Rosmarino, Miss Virginia USA 2014, arrives on set.
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Ready to get to work!
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Going over the shoot.
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Caroline McKean
Getting ready!
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Caroline McKean
Getting ready!
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Angel and Art Director Caroline McKean position the numerals while Arielle finishes getting ready.
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Jeffrey K. Wood
...wait, this one still needs to move 3.783 millimeters to the right.
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Time for another quick lighting check.
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Just a little more lipstick and then...
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Jeffrey K. Wood
...there, done! Angel, any last touches?
Ummmmm...
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Roxy steps in and saves the day!
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Time to shoot!
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Angel and Caroline collaborate behind the camera.
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Having a few laughs between photos.
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Back at it!
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Jeffrey K. Wood
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Jeffrey K. Wood
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Jeffrey K. Wood
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Jeffrey K. Wood
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Getting the numerals and Arielle in position was easy compared to catching her flowing red dress at the perfect moment as it blew in the wind.
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Jeffrey K. Wood
How'd we do?!
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Angel David Verde
Beautiful!
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Ok, we've got what we need - now it's time for some fun!
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Jeffrey K. Wood
Angel has a stuffed dog named "Darth Vader" that goes with him on every shoot as a good luck charm. So, of course, he had to take a shot with Arielle!
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Angel David Verde
Group selfie!
(Who's the dude on the left you haven't seen yet? That would be the guy behind the video camera, Digital Publications Editor Jeff Wood.)
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Jeffrey K. Wood
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Angel David Verde
That's a wrap!
The 40th anniversary cover conversation started early – VERY early for a busy publishing company.
It was about a month before our final production deadline when we decided we wanted Salem native Arielle Rosmarino - also known as Miss Virginia USA 2014 - on our cover with the numerals "4" and "0." The cover was inspired by another magazine cover I had seen featuring Nicole Kidman.
As the art director, I was charged with finding Arielle and figuring out how to produce large numerals that would look good, stand freely - AND not blow the budget. I spent an hour fretting about the impossibility of the task when my Editor in Chief, Kurt Rheinheimer, saved the day by suggesting I connect with 4DD Studios, a 3D printing company located in downtown Roanoke.
I immediately sent an email to see if 4DD could produce the numerals on a tight schedule. Saviors! I got an immediate response, followed up with a phone call for more information on the project. I worked with Jim McGeorge, and not only does he know his stuff, he prides himself on customer service and efficiency.
During the actual production process I was on vacation but did not have to worry. The team at 4DD Studios kept the LeisureMedia360 team updated, provided several miniature and to-scale samples to make sure we were on the right track, and during production of the actual numerals invited our Digital Publications Editor Jeff Wood and Graphic Designer Ruth Herdman to the shop to observe and film the production process.
When I saw the finished product, I was beyond impressed. 4DD met my every expectation and for an art director, and that's a gift!
The day of the shoot was a breeze. Working with Arielle was not only easy, but entertaining. She's a true professional. And I of course have to thank the cover photographer Angel David Verde and his assistant Roxy Broom! David, for his incredible photography and understanding my creative direction, fluently. Roxy for her make-up touch-ups (something I would have never been able to do) and for not breaking the much-more-fragile-than-they-looked numerals!
I have to say, this is one cover I am very proud of, and I hope many of you will agree. It's a great tribute to a long-standing, very-successful, always-entertaining city magazine and publishing company!
Thank you!
Caroline McKean, Art Director, The Roanoker magazine
Special Thanks:
- 4DD Studios – "40" Numeral Production
- Angel David Verde – Cover Photographer
- Roxy Broom – Photo & Style Assistant
- Ruth Herdman – Graphic Designer
- Arielle Rosmarino, Miss Virginia USA 2014 – Cover Model