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May 26th 2023

Making Growing Floret Season 2

Written by
Floret

Of all the creative projects that I’ve ever been a part of, filming the second season of Growing Floret has been by far the most rewarding.

When we started filming, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what it would take to bring a show like ours to life, but never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined just how much time, talent, heart, skill, planning, coordination, organization, late nights, early mornings, weekend cram sessions, and day-long meetings it would require to pull off a project of this scope.

It’s no small feat!

Before filming officially started, we spent a great deal of time figuring out exactly which stories we wanted to tell. In the first season the approach was a true documentary—film everything happening on the farm for a year and see what stories emerge.

But with the second season, we took a bit of a different approach because we had some really special projects that were already in the works that I wanted to explore.

In addition to settling on four really intentional storylines that we would follow in the coming year (roses, breeding, education, and the natural world), we also spent a good deal of time establishing the look and feel for this season.

Director Rob Finch and Director of Photography Jamie Francis wanted the cinematography to be richer, more memorable, and even more beautiful.

We also talked a lot about how our approach to filming could be more in sync with how Chris and I are wired. Since we’re both introverts, we prefer working with a smaller, more intimate crew versus a big production with lots of people.

So in the end, Jamie basically moved to the farm and filmed alongside us for a year.

We still did a number of bigger shoots where a full crew was on site, but a good deal of season 2 was made with a teeny, tiny team.

While our kids were not in front of the camera this time, Jasper did help out behind the scenes.

There were very few sunrises or sunsets where I didn’t see Jamie off in some corner of the farm trying to capture the magic of nature, from the tiniest details of baby birds hatching in their nest to swans landing in the field, fog settling over the land, or the full moon tracking over the greenhouses.

His dedication was unwavering and his heart is present in every frame.

One of the most beautiful parts of filming was watching Jamie and Chris’s friendship unfold, and by the end, they were so in sync that it was hard to tell them apart.

Many mornings they would both show up in the same outfit and we couldn’t help but laugh. Jamie was an incredible teacher and Chris soaked up every second of their time together.

He basically got to go to film school for a year!

Another big change from season 1 was that I moved from being just a subject to narrating each episode through voiceovers and interviews.

For the interviews, rather than looking slightly off-camera to answer the questions (where the audience is the observer of the story) we decided that I would talk directly to the camera, which creates a more intimate experience and builds a stronger personal connection with the viewer.

Essentially, I got to be the narrator of my own story.

In all, I sat for more than two dozen interviews, and when you add up all of the hours of on-camera conversations that Rob and I had, both virtually and in person, we talked for two entire days straight.

Of all the amazing things I got to experience in the filming process, I would say that the interviews were my very favorite. It wasn’t the sitting in front of the camera part, it was getting to have so many meaningful conversations about the things that matter in life with someone I deeply admire.

To get to spend an entire year in that suspended dialog changed me as a person.

One of the things I didn’t realize going into this project was what a huge role the editors have in shaping how a story is told. It’s easy to think that all of the work is done by the guys running around with the cameras, the director holding the monitor, the producer with the clipboard, and the audio engineer holding the boom pole over people talking because that’s what you always see in behind-the-scenes footage.

And while a ton of work does take place that way, it’s really only one small piece of the whole puzzle.

After all of the footage is captured, that’s when the second leg of the journey begins.

Once the raw footage is imported and backed up, associate editors start building string-outs (all of the footage shot by a camera operator in a given day) and then both editors and associate editors select the most usable parts from each. From there, loosely edited scenes are created for the director to watch.

Once Rob reviews all of the different scenes, he makes storyboards to show how the individual stories could play out and talks through all of the different ideas with the editors. Once a direction is set, then the editors start down the path of building an edit, bringing their own point-of-view to the story and evolving it beyond the initial storyboard.

Rob and the editors are in constant communication from the very beginning of string-outs, all the way through to the final cut.

There are many different iterations that an episode goes through and the number of times each one is torn down and rebuilt is mind-boggling. I have so much respect for the work that editors do—theirs is the hardest job of them all!

In season 2, each episode was crafted by a different editor—Sarah Bourscheid (pictured above, upper left) edited “Preserving the Old,” José Márquez (pictured above, upper right) edited “Growing Resilience,” Maria Kjellstrand (pictured above, lower left) edited “Unlocking the Door,” and Tim McLaughlin (pictured above, lower right) edited “Cultivating Balance.” If you watch closely you will notice their own unique style and voice shine through.

Once an episode has been given final approval, it goes through a few rounds of color correction in which each shot is individually worked on and approved. It also goes through multiple sessions of sound design and mixing, where a sound engineer meticulously levels all of the thousands of sounds so they can be as crisp and immersive as possible. It’s then exported, watched one final time, and delivered.

I knew that creating something like a show required a tremendous amount of work, but it wasn’t until going through the entire process that I really understood just how much collective effort is involved.

So many amazing, hardworking, and incredibly talented people poured their heart and soul into Growing Floret, and I hope that when you watch it, you have a newfound appreciation for what it took to bring it to life.

If you’d like to watch some really special behind-the-scenes videos, be sure to visit the Making Growing Floret page on our website.


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15 Comments

  1. David Kent on

    Erin, Chis, and all,
    I find myself crying at some point during most of your episodes, sometimes at several points. I’m a 65 year old man, that has never happened before. I’m moved, in particular, during those moments when you bare your souls a bit, talk about what the farm and flowers and people mean to you, how they are an expression of your purpose and legacy in this life. That just pulls at my heart strings. I’m getting a little choked up just writing about it now.
    Anyway, thank you for this gift. Thank you for creating such breath-taking beauty. (I’m inspired and working daily to create my own cutting flower garden in my yards. Quite a project.) Thank you for showing another entrepreneur what it means to put all of your passion into a business, and how to make work – hard work! – into a transcendent art form. I am inspired by what you two are doing, and the way you are sharing it.

    Reply
  2. Kafi D'Ambrosi on

    I found Floret Flowers because I have a dream of having a cottage, a puppy and a garden. I’m just got our new dog, Daisy. I started looking at garden shops in Nashville, where I’m locating next year. I saw the $200 price of a bouquet. I understand the pricing, but i thought, I would love to grow my own cutting garden and I fell into the fielded vortex of Floret. I found the documentary and I fell in love even more with the thought of creating my own patch of a cutting flower garden.
    I did close my eyes and imagine my first memory of flowers. My grandmother had a garden by the front porch. She had red + yellow lush roses, filled with thorns and a gorgeous lilac bush. When we moved to the Berkshires at the age of 6, I discovered lillies of the valley and apple blossoms. I’ve always loved flowers, wild and greenhouse. So inspired to learn and do the work to create living art. Thank you to you and your amazing team/family at Floret. #carryon

    Reply
  3. Valentina Castano Diaz on

    Hi Thank you for sharing all this information and treasures, in S2S3 you mentioned you love access to the farms so why you do not give access and close the workshop at Floret Flower Farm? I am very thankful for all the information you shared, Pictures, seeds. Is not the same like see it in person.

    Reply
  4. Christine on

    I just finish watching episode one and am blown away by all your hard work and your husband’s hard work and now all your team members. I would never have guessed how much goes into making a business like Floret grow and succeed. Floret isn’t just a business though, the passion, love, and dedication you put into it is something that is immeasurable. I am so glad you have documented everything and so beautifully that it gives me strength to know that hard work is so rewarding. I love your show!

    Reply
  5. Stacy on

    Season 2 has been next level across the board! The “Unlocking the Door” episode in particular was so powerful and brought tears to my eyes. The drive towards sharing abundance, pushing the boundaries on accessibility, and offering knowledge for free so that it may benefit the greater good is so powerful and I hope it inspires others to do the same. I’ve learned so much from the experience of taking in these episodes and have deep gratitude for this beautiful work!

    Thank you!

    Reply
  6. Ryan on

    Episode 2 made me cry. You are such an inspiration. I love how you just keep going and try new things.

    The cinematography was INCREDIBLE in the 2nd season. I am going to watch it again.

    Reply
  7. Artemis on

    I’ve already watched season 2 twice. Some of the best television I’ve ever had the pleasure to enjoy. Thank you to everyone involved in this creative endeavor.

    Very curious how this odd Spring and early Summer has affected the farm. Almost no rain, then this long cold stretch cannot be good for Zinnias.

    Love the part about giving back part of the property to nature and the issues that resulted from that. Seems like the internet is full of natural ways to deter coyote and deer. Have you tried anything? Is it working?

    Glad you exist. Thank you for making me think about how to live life.

    Reply
  8. Maurita Crew on

    After watching two episodes tonight with my 21 year old daughter, she looks at me and says, “We need to work on our dream, let’s write the children’s book we have talked about for so long.” That is what your words and sharing your story did. It first gave us time together as mom and daughter and second it inspired us to pursue a dream and vision. Thank you for being open to the world. You truly are living a wonderful story.

    Reply
  9. Susan Cicero on

    I enjoyed season two so much, I didn’t realize how long it takes to make each season until I read the behind the scenes post! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge with us.

    Reply
  10. Ruth on

    The episodes, behind the scenes and the blog are just enlightening and inspiring!

    Reply
  11. Lindsay on

    Thank you for continuing to share your story with us. It’s such a treat to see all the images of the PNW and your beautiful farm and farm family.

    Reply
  12. Linda A on

    Thank you for the inside look of what goes into a project like this and all the talented people involved, including, of course, you two as such a dynamic couple.

    What strikes me most is the dream, the vision, the work, the effort & commitment, and then the teamwork that made it all come into fruition.

    I think you & each person involved can be proud of the legacy you’ve created & continue to create.

    Reply
  13. Chanda on

    I loved every minute of it- maybe a future blog post idea, but can Chris give insight/breakdown into his compost pile. I have a piece of my property, I’d love to plant flowers in, but it needs a lot of organic matter added.

    Reply
  14. Jennifer C. on

    I thoroughly enjoyed season 1, but season 2 was pure heaven for me. I’m a sucker for a big project involving lots of research and organization and beauty, and this gave all of it. So, so rewarding, and I really appreciate the input of everyone involved to give such meaningful information to the viewing audience and your fans. Thank you! I hope there will be a season 3 and will eagerly follow along with Floret Farms progress on your blog in the meantime.

    Reply

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