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2012Behind the Scenes: Martha’s Countdown to Christmas Video Shoot
Martha Stewart and Dani Fiori, “Countdown to Christmas” Shoot, Bedford 2012
I was super excited to be included in Martha Stewart’s Countdown to Christmas videos. There are 17 videos in all and they were shot at her amazing farm in “Bedford”, NY. What I love about these videos is they have the feel and sensibility of Martha’s original show, with a bit of a modern twist.
I shot my two segments the day after the nor’easter in early November (that hit a shortly after the hurricane!). While it was a bit of a weather inconvenience (good thing KF has a Jeep that I borrowed), it made for a even more beautiful, perfect, snowy Holiday “set”!
Here are some behind the scenes photos from my day on the Martha Stewart’s Countdown to Christmas shoot!
Just seeing Martha’s beautiful farm covered in snow put us all in the “Countdown” spirit!
One of my favorite things about visiting Bedford is the cappuccino… made by either Martha herself or her Housekeeper, Laura… you will never have a more perfect one!
The lovely and talented Nora Sigley was the chef on this shoot. Here is is with a gorgeous cranberry tart! Big thanks to Nora for helping me get a handle on the frosting piping bag for the Christmas Tree cupcakes! She is truly an all around expert!
All the recipes were made with Martha’s farm fresh eggs
This is Daisy Schwartzberg, Martha’s makeup artist. I love the look she gave me for the shoot! Check out her Holiday Makeup Tip video, also in this series
As always, Production Designer, Anduin Havens did an amazing job dressing the “set”. Not that Martha’s home needs much “set decorating”! Check out Anduin’s video on Holiday lunch ow.ly/fN4fT
I loved the colors and setup of this corner of the kitchen… that wreath is made of Starbucks coffee filters! Watch the video then learn how to make one here http://www.marthastewart.com/951639/coffee-filter-wreath
We shot the ginger men first…
I have always loved these cookies. Compared to some of my other cookie designs, one might consider them “dull” but I think they are traditional and beautiful in their simplicity (and really delicious).
The ginger men we decorated in the segment- I love the crown Martha added to hers! http://www.marthastewart.com/951615/gingerbread-men-cookies
Next up, Christmas Tree Cupcakes! We always check and watch the monitor before and during shooting… here’s the ingredients for the Tree Cupcakes ready to be iced.
I was totally nervous about piping these on camera. I did ok, but as you can see in the video, Martha is the real piping expert! http://www.marthastewart.com/951598/christmas-tree-cupcakes
Jodi Levine’s segments were next… I LOVE her graham cracker gingerbread cottages! So cute and such a smart idea to “cut to the fun part” by using graham crackers for the house!
So sweet! LOVE the candy cane sleighs! http://www.marthastewart.com/270431/building-cookie-cottages-with-jodi-levin
As I was packing up, Martha’s cat, Vivaldi, stopped by to say hi or so I thought…
“Hey! Where are you going with those cookies!”- Vivaldi Stewart
I hope these videos help to get you into the Holiday spirit! Thanks to Martha and her amazing producers and crew for including me in this fun & festive shoot! Merry merry! Xo Dani
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