Meet Cocoon Community Makers: Spotlight on Location Manager Ed Yoo

Community Makers
Oct 26, 2024
7 min read

At Cocoon Flex Spaces, our commitment goes beyond providing spaces—we’re dedicated to building a community of creators and visionaries who bring our spaces to life. In our latest “Meet Our Community Makers” spotlight, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Ed Yoo, a seasoned Location Manager whose recent commercial shoot at Casa Caeli adds another chapter to his extensive career in the production world and fourth experience with this venue.

cocoon ed yoo location manager hero shot portrait

Ed Yoo featured at Casa Caeli, in the kitchen area.

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The Visual Charm of Casa Caeli

Selecting the perfect location is crucial, especially in commercial production, where every detail must support the narrative. For Ed Yoo, Casa Caeli stood out for its aesthetic appeal and how beautifully it transforms on camera. “Casa Caeli looks nice on camera and films well,” Ed shared, emphasizing the visual charm this space adds to his projects.

But Ed’s experience isn’t just about the technical aspects—it’s also about personality. A quick glance at his Instagram reveals his eye for striking visuals and his funky, fun personality that shines through in every shot. We’re currently working with Ed to feature some of his favorite moments from the shoot in this article, so stay tuned!

Behind the scenes of a commercial shoot at Casa Caeli, with crew members preparing the set.

Navigating the Production World in NYC

Having moved from Los Angeles to New York at a young age, Ed Yoo is no stranger to the challenges of the city’s production landscape. As a Location Manager, his role often involves balancing the excitement of creative projects with the occasional friction from neighbors who aren’t always thrilled with film crews occupying their streets:

“I love interacting with people and meeting new people so I would say that is the fun side. The challenging part is dealing with people angry about film crews making noise and taking up neighborhood parking spaces” shared Ed Yoo.

At Cocoon, we recognize these challenges and have developed protocols across all our properties to ensure a smooth experience for both the production teams and the local communities. Our strict noise and parking policies, as well as our engagement with local residents, are designed to minimize disruptions. This approach not only makes the experience better for our renters, like Ed, but also helps property owners continue to monetize their spaces in a healthy, sustainable way.

Filming equipment and monitors capturing the essence of Casa Caeli during a commercial shoot.

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A Streamlined, Yet Personalized Booking Experience

While Ed shared with us his desire for an even more streamlined booking process, it’s important to highlight that our approach at Cocoon is purposefully designed to balance efficiency with thoroughness. Our booking process, while not entirely automated, is crafted to ensure every project runs smoothly. We understand that professionals like Ed, who are used to working directly with homeowners, might find additional steps a bit unconventional. However, these steps are in place to ensure that all logistical and operational aspects of the shoot are seamless—helping professionals avoid common pitfalls and ensuring everything runs without a hitch.

While Cocoon’s booking process is designed with efficiency and smooth operations in mind, it also includes additional steps that ensure productions are respectful of neighbors, neighboring businesses, and the community at large. We believe this is crucial for fostering balanced and sustainable growth in the industry, where even those outside of it have a positive perception of our impact. By following these protocols, we help create a harmonious environment that benefits everyone involved—whether they are part of the production or simply living and working nearby.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to share that our 2025 roadmap includes plans for further automation, making the process even more efficient while maintaining the personal touch that our clients value.

Crew members setting up the filming scene in the stylish interiors of Casa Caeli.

Crew members setting up the filming scene in the living room area that leads to the patio at Casa Caeli.

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Growing Our Community Together

As Ed Yoo continues to shape the visual landscape of commercial production, he remains a valued member of the Cocoon community. His experience underscores the importance of flexibility, variety, and the ongoing evolution of space offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of the production world.

We’re constantly adding new properties to our platform, and we invite anyone with a unique space to consider joining our network. Our Monetize Your Space program offers an incredible referral system, making it easy to get started and share in the success of our growing community.

Production crew adjusting lights and equipment in a well-lit room at Casa Caeli.

Production crew adjusting using one of the rooms as the back of the house setup area at Casa Caeli.

Join the Community

Are you ready to find the perfect space for your next project? Whether you’re shooting a commercial, hosting an event, or planning a photoshoot, Cocoon Flex Spaces is here to help. Explore our diverse range of spaces and become a part of a community where creativity thrives.

cocoon casa caeli bts commercial shoot equipment stairs

Behind-the-scenes look at the production process with equipment by the stairs at Casa Caeli, and floor protection.

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.

How does Cocoon help producers and production teams?

At Cocoon, we go beyond just providing spaces; we also offer a range of production-friendly services to simplify the process for producers and their teams. Whether you’re part of a small company or a large-scale production, our team functions like a “scouting” service. Clients come to us with their needs, and we do the heavy lifting to find the perfect location that matches their vision. We understand the intricacies of shot lists, how to protect floors and equipment, and all the logistics involved in a shoot. From helping you plan layouts to arranging catering for your crew and talent, we ensure a smooth experience from start to finish.

What types of shoots does Cocoon Flex Spaces accommodate?

We’ve hosted a variety of productions, ranging from large TV shoots with over 50 people to intimate 5-person shoots. Cocoon spaces have been used for lifestyle, fashion, and commercial ads, as well as residential and commercial settings, both indoors and outdoors. Whether you’re filming an interview, a fashion campaign, a documentary, or influencer content, we provide spaces that suit your needs and a team that understands the production process.

What production-specific support does Cocoon offer?

We provide welcome kits with guidelines and measurements for items in the space, making it easier for production teams to plan their setups. We are also experienced with the technical requirements of a shoot, including protection for floors, equipment, and setup. Our team ensures that everything is in place so you can focus on getting the best shots. Additionally, we offer assistance with logistical details like catering and space management, so your production runs as smoothly as possible.

How does Cocoon ensure productions respect the community and local neighbors?

Cocoon is deeply committed to ensuring that all productions hosted in our spaces respect the surrounding communities and neighbors. We have developed strict noise and parking protocols to minimize disruptions, and we engage directly with local residents to foster positive relationships. These protocols are crucial not only for the satisfaction of neighbors but also for the long-term sustainability of our business and the industry. By maintaining this balance, we help both production teams and property owners benefit from seamless, community-friendly shoots.

What types of spaces are available for production shoots?

Our portfolio includes a wide variety of spaces, from stylish residential homes like Casa Caeli to commercial venues and outdoor locations. Each space is carefully curated to provide unique backdrops that enhance the aesthetic quality of your production. Whether you’re shooting a fashion campaign, commercial, or short film, Cocoon offers an array of spaces to meet your production’s specific needs.

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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