On Location with Getting Caught – ASH Lounge, Bloomfield, New Jersey

Saturday, September 12, we were back on location at one of our favorite places to shoot, ASH Lounge, 141-142 Bloomfield Avenue in Bloomfield, NJ. We discovered the lounge via a bi-weekly, Monday night music event that showcased new and seasoned talent in electronic dance music called ThinkSoul presents “Demonstrations In Nu Sounds”. JJCMedia.net was hired by ThinkSoul (TKS) to shoot their live performances and interviews with DJ’s and scheduled recording artists. Chris B., JJCMedia.net’s Administrative Director/Assistant also handles administrative duties for TKS thought that ASH would be an ideal locale to shoot the restaurant scenes in Getting Caught. ASH’s forward-thinking owner/operator, Hiram Ortiz welcomed JJCMedia.net with open arms and on May 31st we began shooting at the lounge. Ortiz graciously allowed us full access to the lounge and we couldn’t be more thankful for his generosity.



The night before the 9/12 shoot, Jerry was busy finalizing last minute details with cast and crew, as well as going over the shoot’s checklist with Chris B. They were both unable to sleep, too excited about the long day of filming ahead of them. The next morning was cloudy but a tad warm as intermittent rain showers soaked the ground.By 9:45am the crew was set up and our Director of Photography, the talented Gary Powell. A seasoned DP, Powell has worked on multiple films such as Attackazoids, Foxy Mammas and Killing Mark Twain to name a few.


He signaled our fearless leader, Director/Producer Jerry J. Cunningham that he was ready to film. Their relationship is a unique blend of interrelated visual ideas that complement each other. Cunningham doesn’t express absolute authority and allows Powell to discern what a shot needs and what it doesn’t.



Our wonderful cast, Amanda Yachechak (Jenny Rivers), Derek Brantley (Dave Holmes) and Keisha Zoller (Zach) arrived and quickly changed into wardrobe and were off to makeup courtesy of Shakira Gills. Our host photographer for this shoot, Johanna was snapping away taking “before and after” shots of the actors while they were sitting with Ms. Gills in makeup. The extras, Wang Smith, Todd G. and Daniela were also primed and prepped our fearless leader. After grabbing donuts & bagels then washing it down with cups of hot java, “Are we ready to shoot?” JJC exclaimed and the cast and extras made their way on set.

Watching the script come to life is thrilling as Jerry instinctively reaches inside of the actor’s core and draws out the tenderness, angst, doubt and self-awareness demonstrated so effortlessly by the actors. Working through several takes and a few five minute breaks, the aroma of lunch blanketed the set as ASH’s serve staff brought out the delicious looking buffet of breaded fresh chicken in lemon sauce, pasta with Alf redo and marinara sauces, a tray of toasted miniature oval bread topped with seasoned fresh tomatoes and chopped basil. Somehow lunch seemed to have made it’s way into the next take as the extras brought their “mile-high”, food packed plates to the bar to eat on camera. Before we knew it, it was 5pm and we still had an hour left to work, however Jerry informed us that we were done and he captured what he wanted and content with the day’s shoot.


Everyone took a minute to rest before they start to pack up. As the cast and extras gathered their belongings, they left the lounge saying their goodbyes group by group. Only JJC and the crew remained as they started breaking down the set. Chris B. watching everyone while taking care of paperwork realized that the end of the production is fast approaching and he felt a little sad about it. However, he was overcome with a feeling of accomplishment and looked to Jerry and asked, “What did you think about today’s shoot?” and through his bright smile, being a man of few words, he remarked, “Good job…good job,” as he turned and continued to pack the equipment. Stay tuned for more of “On The Set” with the Getting Caught crew.