Meet Cocoon Community Makers: Spotlight on Screenwriter Caleb Morgan

Community Makers
Oct 10, 2024
8 min read

At Cocoon Flex Spaces, we cherish our vibrant community of creative professionals who infuse our unique venues with life. In this edition of “Meet Our Community Makers,” we’re delighted to introduce Caleb Morgan, a passionate screenwriter and director. Recently, Caleb utilized Casa Avedon for an interview set, and we’re excited to share his inspiring journey and experiences.

Who is Caleb Morgan?

Caleb Morgan is a dedicated screenwriter and director, known for his unique blend of creativity and humor. Since graduating two years ago, Caleb has navigated the film industry as a freelance camera assistant and editor, while passionately pursuing his dream projects.

Portrait of Caleb Morgan sitting and smiling in front of bookshelves.

Caleb is in the office area at Casa Avedon, with steel bookshelves behind him. An area often used for interview shoots. Instagram Handles: @mindbender_films & @Cay__lub.

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Caleb’s Journey in Filmmaking

Growing up in small mountain towns, Caleb always had a penchant for storytelling. “After a lifetime of living in small mountain towns, I decided the only logical step would be to venture out to the most populated city in the country,” Caleb shares. New York City has since become the backdrop for his creative exploits.

Over the past two years, Caleb has collaborated with many talented creatives in New York, producing short films that showcase his unique storytelling style. His passion for screenwriting and directing has led to numerous projects, each one pushing the boundaries of his creativity. Caleb’s most memorable project is a short dramedy film titled “Purple Velvet Fur,” which brought together a team of indie filmmakers to bring his script to life. “With the collaboration of our amazing crew, the film transformed into something I never could have imagined before production,” he reflects.

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Behind-the-scenes of an interview set at Casa Avedon, showcasing the professional setup and ambiance.

Collaborating with Cocoon Flex Spaces

Casa Avedon stands out as an exceptional venue for interview sets, thanks to several key features that cater to the specific needs of such productions:

1. Great Depth for Proper Interview Setups: The space at Casa Avedon offers great depth, allowing for the creation of professional and visually appealing interview setups. The depth of the room ensures that the camera can capture the subject with ample background, adding to the visual interest and context of the shot.

2. Versatile Background Options: Casa Avedon provides two distinct background options that can be tailored to the tone and style of the interview:

Neutral Minimalistic Background: The Cyc Area offers a clean, neutral, and minimalistic background that is perfect for interviews requiring a modern, understated look. This background keeps the focus on the interviewee, minimizing distractions.
Textured Professional Background: For a more textured and professional look, the library area serves as an excellent backdrop. The rows of bookshelves add depth and character, creating a sophisticated and intellectual ambiance.

3. Freight Elevator for Easy Equipment Handling: The space includes a freight elevator that lands directly inside the property, making the process of loading and unloading equipment incredibly smooth and easy. This feature is particularly beneficial for productions involving extensive gear, ensuring a hassle-free setup and teardown process.

4. Prime Location in Flatiron: Situated in the Flatiron district, Casa Avedon is highly accessible, making it an ideal choice for interviews with high-profile talent. The central location provides convenience for both the interviewees and the production team, ensuring timely arrivals and smooth logistics.

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Benefits of Having a Casa Manager On-Site

One of the key advantages of working with Cocoon Flex Spaces is the presence of a Casa Manager during the event. The Cocoon team, especially Casa Manager Kara, offered exceptional support throughout the process.

“Kara was incredibly helpful and kind,” Caleb notes, highlighting the importance of a supportive environment in creative endeavors.

Here are the benefits of having a Casa Manager on-site:

Expertise in Production: The Casa Manager assigned to your booking is an expert in the production industry. They understand how to interpret shot lists and production schedules, ensuring that the setup aligns perfectly with the creative vision. Their familiarity with the property allows them to optimize the use of space effectively.
On-the-Spot Assistance: The Casa Manager is available to provide immediate assistance with any issues or needs that arise during the event. This includes troubleshooting technical difficulties, coordinating with vendors, and managing last-minute changes.
Efficient Logistics: The Casa Manager ensures that all logistical aspects are handled smoothly. This includes overseeing the setup and teardown processes, managing equipment deliveries, and ensuring that the space is prepared according to the specific requirements of the production. Their expertise minimizes the time spent on logistical tasks, allowing the production team to focus on content creation.
Stress-Free Environment: Having a Casa Manager on-site allows the production team to focus on the creative aspects of their project without worrying about logistical details. This peace of mind is invaluable, especially during high-pressure situations like interviews with high-profile talent.
Seamless Coordination: The Casa Manager acts as a point of contact between the client and the various service providers involved in the event. This ensures seamless communication and coordination, minimizing the risk of misunderstandings or delays.
Property Familiarity: Knowing the property inside and out, the Casa Manager can swiftly address any property-specific challenges, making the entire process—from loading in and setting up to prepping for next shots, breaking down, and loading out—a minimal operation. This efficiency allows productions to allocate more time to content creation rather than dealing with typical property-specific obstacles that often occur when booking locations from non-professionalized property owners.

The seamless experience allowed Caleb to focus on the creative aspects of his project, knowing that the logistics were in good hands.

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Why Caleb Recommends Cocoon

Caleb’s experience at Casa Avedon left a lasting impression.

“If I am ever looking to book another space for a studio setup or interview shoot, I will most certainly be reaching out to Cocoon,” he asserts.

The positive atmosphere and professional setup provided the perfect backdrop for his project. The combination of aesthetically pleasing spaces and a supportive team makes Cocoon Flex Spaces a preferred choice for creatives like Caleb.

Caleb Morgan working on set, setting up equipment for an interview.

The glass library/conference room area at Casa Avedon opens to the main space, making it extra easy to load-in/prep.

Future Aspirations and Content Suggestions

Caleb appreciates Cocoon’s efforts to spotlight filmmakers on social media, seeing it as a valuable networking tool. He suggests continuing to feature individuals who utilize Cocoon’s facilities, fostering a strong and supportive creative community. By showcasing the diverse projects and talents within the Cocoon community, these spotlights not only promote the artists but also inspire others in the industry.

A Peek Behind the Scenes

During the production at Casa Avedon, Caleb and his team transformed the space into a dynamic interview set. The rows of bookshelves provided a visually appealing backdrop, while the comfortable seating areas made the interviewees feel at ease. The efficient layout of Casa Avedon allowed for smooth transitions between different parts of the shoot, ensuring that the production stayed on schedule.

Caleb’s project involved capturing powerful stories for the Legal Aid Society’s annual Servant of Justice Awards benefit. This project was particularly meaningful as it highlighted the impactful work of the Legal Aid Society through the personal stories of clients and attorneys. The final edited video played a crucial role in the benefit event, showcasing the organization’s dedication to justice and support for the community.

Words from Cocoon

Caleb Morgan is a testament to the talent and passion that make up the Cocoon community. His dedication to storytelling and filmmaking, combined with his positive experience at Cocoon Flex Spaces, highlights the synergy between creative minds and supportive spaces. We are thrilled to have Caleb as part of our community and look forward to more collaborations.

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Part of the Cocoon team at Casa Janka, our Chinatown space.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I book a venue through Cocoon Flex Spaces?

You can book a venue by visiting our website and exploring our portfolio of unique event spaces. For personalized assistance, connect with us and submit an inquiry.

What makes Cocoon Flex Spaces ideal for creative professionals?

Cocoon Flex Spaces offers a variety of unique and professionally designed spaces that cater to the needs of creatives. These spaces are ideal for film shoots, photoshoots, and events, and come equipped with amenities like freight elevators for easy equipment handling, versatile backgrounds, and on-site support from Casa Managers, ensuring a seamless experience.

How does Cocoon support productions with on-site assistance?

Cocoon provides a Casa Manager for each event or production. The Casa Manager offers on-the-spot assistance, expert guidance in production logistics, and seamless coordination with vendors, ensuring that clients can focus on the creative process without worrying about the logistics.

What kind of projects can be hosted at Cocoon Flex Spaces?

Cocoon Flex Spaces are perfect for a wide range of projects, including film shoots, photoshoots, brand activations, corporate meetings, and interviews. The spaces are versatile and designed to meet the unique needs of each production or event.

How does Cocoon Flex Spaces benefit freelance filmmakers like Caleb Morgan?

Cocoon provides aesthetically pleasing unconventional spaces, supportive staff, and essential logistical support, allowing filmmakers like Caleb Morgan to focus on their creative vision without worrying about setup or coordination. This makes Cocoon a go-to option for freelance filmmakers and creatives in New York City.

Written By

Piero Faggiolly

Piero Faggiolly is a Marketing Specialist at Cocoon Flex Spaces, where he works closely with the team to share practical insights about event venues, media productions, weddings, brand activations, and corporate gatherings across New York City.

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Group portrait of the Cocoon team in a bright studio space, with members casually posing on chairs, stools, and the floor, a man sitting on a ladder reading a book, and a disco ball and plants on the floor.

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