Moment Factory is based in Montreal, Canada but we regularly do events with them here in New York and around the world. The most recent event we did was, of course, the Celebrations Book Launch Party, where Moment Factory helped me transform a regular runway into an over-sized old fashioned printing press that mimicked how the book was printed.

I sat down with Moment Factory’s Creative Director, Sakchin Bessette, (also known as Saky) to talk about the possibilities of multi-media design, how to create new and unexpected moments and where Moment Factory draws their inspiration from.

Before you read the interview, watch this quick clip from video tour of their office space in Montreal, lead by Joy Marsal.

PB: Can you tell us a little bit about Moment Factory? What do you specialize in and how did you get started?

Saky: Moment Factory specializes in designing multi-media environments. We design spaces with video, lighting, theatrical effects, and performance. We do a lot of events, permanent installations, building facades, museums, theaters, rock shows, and of course we work a lot with you and your crew and it’s been a very nice experience.

Basically, Moment Factory’s approach is integrating light, sound and video together to create this seamless flow, this seamless piece of art. That’s really our specialty. Sometimes we tell stories, sometimes we create a wow factor, sometimes we create backgrounds for shows…but it’s always with video and it’s always integrated within the rest of the environment.

PB: I know you like telling stories through your visuals. What was your inspiration for telling a story at the Celebrations party?

Saky: Moment Factory loves telling stories in different ways. Our way of working is really by re-inventing stories and creating new storytelling languages. We think about how we can tell a story by twisting the traditional tools of narration and a clear storyline to something that may be a bit more abstract and figurative. It lets a person understand that there’s a story behind the concept, but you don’t necessarily see the exact beginning, middle and end. It keeps you involved but each person is left to interpret it in their own way.

For your book launch, we decided to create something that started conceptually with the bookmaking process and the book printing process. We explored different options and the idea was really inspired by the process of creating a book.

PB: What was one of your most challenging jobs? And why was it so challenging?

Saky: I think all of our jobs are challenging on one level or another. At Moment Factory our culture is based on innovation and creativity. Every time we have a project, we look at ways we can create something new and different. Innovation equals challenges. You don’t have easy innovation, it doesn’t really exist. Or if it does, it’s very rare. So basically, a lot of our jobs are challenging and that’s part of the way we work.

There are some that are more challenging than others, because we rely on technology or rely on the equipment or other suppliers. A lot of the challenge comes from coordinating the different entities from far away or working with teams we’ve never worked with before.  But in the end the show must go on, so we always make it happen.

PB: How do you stay innovative in your field?

Saky: We stay creative by staying inspired and working with innovative and creative people.  A lot of people will come up to us and say, “Oh, we want some of that.” They don’t know exactly what they want or how they can do it. Our work is really mysterious for some people, so there has to be trust that we’ll come up with something fun and fine. There’s a lot of space in the creativity of what we do.

The inspiration comes from many different places–from resources, books, the Internet–but it also comes from daily life, art installations, the light in the window, our clients, our relationships and everyone we work with. It’s very dynamic and very people related. It’s a lot about creating environments that are made to gather so that people are coming together and sharing.

Similar to how doctors shouldn’t treat their own family, it doesn’t work for me to plan my own parties. So, I turned to the best for help with the Celebrations launch party (and many others–Marcy and I have worked together for years).

…And just because she happens to be one of my longtime friends who makes me laugh endlessly is just extra icing on the proverbial 20 foot tall cake.

Enjoy!

PB: Let’s talk about how you became an event planner and why you wanted to embark on this career.

Marcy: When they released me from the asylum (from Preston: I could not help but laugh out loud) I decided that I needed something to do. Okay, actually I was a foodie and I went to school to be a chef and worked as a cooking teacher and all sorts of things and it evolved from there over the years.

PB: How are you different from other event planners?

Marcy: (With a little smile) I’m good at it! (from Preston: More laughter from the two of us)

PB: What was one of your most challenging events?

Marcy: Every event is challenging. The interesting thing is that it’s always a different challenge. Just when you think, “Now I know how to build a tent in the middle of outer Slobovia in the pouring rain,” the next time, it’s in a desert or everything’s fine but the client’s impossible…Life is constantly different.

PB: What’s your favorite part of the event planning process?

Marcy: You know, I hear this question all the time and the truth is most of us lie and most of the time, I lie (laughs) but really it’s the joy of the process itself, rising to the challenge yourself.

I find people endlessly fascinating–both the good parts and the bad parts. I’m just fascinated by the mystery of what makes them tick; what makes someone come in and say, “I really want something simple and elegant,” and what they think of as simple and elegant is yards and yards and yards of satin wrapped around everything…

PB: What kind of advice would you give to a client looking for an event planner?

Marcy: Oh, to hire me! Of course. (Laughs)

PB: Okay, last question. Can you share some of the surprises you have planned for my Celebrations party?

Marcy: Well…we’re going to have a lot of very enthralling, sexy and interesting things planned–both in entertainment and the guests–don’t forget the invitation said the attire is “hot.” So, I’ve been looking for something hot for several weeks, I may just bring my boyfriend…

Your parties are about surprise and they’re very sensuous. I’m usually all about the food and you throw parties that are about the vibe. So, just wait for something very unexpected.

In the video below, Marcy snuck in one last thing she wanted to say after I thought the interview was officially over and I stepped out of the room. I was touched to hear what she said. Click play to watch.

For more info on Marcy Blum or to contact her, please email: lea@marcyblum.com or visit http://marcyblum.com/.

Now it’s your turn, share one event that took you months and months to plan, and tell me…was it worth it?

I grilled Olivier Cheng, founder of Olivier Cheng Catering and Events, to get some insight on the catering business, discuss what food trends are in and out, and try to find out what special food he has on the menu for the Celebrations launch party.

But before you read the interview, here is Olivier’s tip on how to help your caterer help you find your food vision. Press play to watch.

PB: Tell us about how you got started in the catering business.

Olivier: My background is in business and architecture and I got started in the catering business because I worked for a friend of mine who was an architect and ran a little luxury resort in Colorado. He really loved what he did and I helped him on the business and design side to help run and manage it.

I came back here trying to figure out what I’d like to do and I liked the idea of working on food, catering and design so I worked for somebody I knew here in New York, and then I worked for a celebrity chef to help him start a business, and from there I started my own business.

I just really wanted to make something that was not your typical catering business. For me, it was more about doing beautiful food, about the way things looked in the whole story–from how the staff looked, etc…Obviously you have to complement everything all the way around. [I wanted] to really treat it like a fine restaurant but in a catering experience.

PB: Now let’s jump to what’s really important. What’s your favorite food?

Olivier (smiling): Well, I have to say that one of my favorite foods is one of your favorite foods…and that would have to be short ribs. I think you’d agree with me that short ribs with a little celery root is the way to go.

PB: What food trend do you think has been overdone in the past year?

Olivier: That’s a good question. Since New York is so eclectic, it’s hard for me to say what…

You know, I’m wondering if this sort of American comfort food thing is–with the cupcakes and everything–I feel like that’s really getting saturated and I think that’s something that has sort of seen its day.

PB: What’s the strangest food request you’ve ever had from a client?

Olivier: It would have to be for this wedding we did where it was just a two person wedding and the bride really didn’t eat anything. I think she was lactose intolerant or vegetarian and the groom was a complete carnivore. Since we were only feeding two people, I think for their hors d’oeuvre for their wedding we served her one type because that was all she could eat and we served him like 10.

It had to be one of the most unique parties I’ve done food-wise since their tastes were so different yet there was only two of them. When you’re doing that for 100 people, it’s a little different, but for just two, I think the clash stood out to me the most.

PB: How do you plan your menus? What’s your process?

Olivier: We’re very client-oriented. One of the very first things I always do is talk to the client and figure out what they love and what they envision for food. To me, it’s really about the client and to direct the client to help them find their vision.

PB: Here’s the final question we’ve been waiting for. What are you planning on serving at my Celebrations launch party?

Olivier: Well, a lot of it is a surprise so I shouldn’t really be revealing to you what we have planned…BUT one of the things we’re doing is that I want to serve some of your favorite things.

At the parties we do together, I see that your eyes light up when you’re around the food table so one of the things I’m doing for you is that we’re going to serve what I was talking about earlier which is one of my favorite things as well… braised short ribs with celery root puree. So I hope you will love that.

Now tell me dear readers, what is one amazing dish you recently had and where did you eat it?


Photos by: Olivier Cheng Catering and Events or Jason Wyche

Today’s interview is with Ira Levy, founder of Levy Lighting. Ira has worked with me on many past events, infusing my designs with his brilliant lighting sensibilities and creative touch. We talked about different lighting techniques, how to stay innovative in the industry, lighting trends for 2010 and so much more. Plus, don’t miss the video at the end where he shares what special surprises he has in store for the Celebrations book launch party.

PB: Can you tell my readers what it means to be a lighting designer and how you started your business?

Ira: I was in school and saw the Pretenders in our gym. I was completely blown away by the fact that this whole show was produced by students. The next day I joined the concert committee and got involved with producing the shows. That means when I was 19 I worked with U2, Eddie Murphy, Santana…all these groups, and I always took a liking to the lighting part of it.

We started a nightclub on campus and I continued with that after college and worked with nightclubs in general. From working with techno nightclubs, I became involved in the rave scene. One of the first rave parties I did in New York, actually, was at the Armory at 26th and Lexington! It was before Marc Jacobs, before VH1, before anybody did a party there. We were there. It’s funny to be coming back full circle.

PB: Oh, that’s such a great coincidence. Tell me more.

Ira: When I decided to go out on my own, I started in fashion. I did something for Donna Karan where she wanted water in her new apartment (because she does meditation) so I installed a water projection for her. From there, I started working with Calvin Klein and all these different companies.

My sensibility from a lighting point of view came from fashion, which is about clean lines, meticulous installations and a really professional approach. I wasn’t involved with social events at first, and for years people would say to me, “You know who would be a perfect fit for you? Preston Bailey.”

PB: Can you tell me more about staying on the cutting edge of lighting innovation?

Ira: I’m really married to technology. I think that especially with light, it’s such an important thing. It’s a mysterious art form and technology is an important aspect of what I do.

I like to be very forward thinking in what I do, for creative stimulation and from a competitive standpoint.  I think that a lot of people, especially in this social market, are stuck in a low-tech world, but I think there’s a way to use technology without it feeling “high-tech” and cold.

Let’s talk about lighting technology like cell phones. Every year they get smaller and lighter, and with lighting it’s the same thing. Now, we’re able to illuminate things brighter, cleaner and sharper but with a smaller fixture.

PB: What are some lighting trends for 2010?

Ira: Well, projection is getting to a point where it’s becoming much more user-friendly so we’re able to use projection as different types of light and backgrounds for different things. So, rather than having to constantly use fabric and material like that, you can now utilize light as actual projected elements.

There’s also interactive technology where people are now becoming part of the event. Rather than just walking in, people will enter a space and be able to play with something. Right away it sets a mood and tone for the personality of the event.

PB: What’s your favorite part of doing lighting design?

Ira: My favorite part is when you first walk into a space and you really visualize how you can transform it. For example, the first day of set up–I enjoy seeing the equipment, the trucks, the people… These jobs are on such a large scale, we spend a week or two working on them so we get to know each other, bond and become a family.

For the last question, Ira sent me a video clip of his plans for my book party and what he has in store for the guests. Click play below to find out what sort of lighting surprises guests can expect at the Celebrations book launch. 

If you’d like to contact Ira or need more info from him, feel free to email: info@levylighting.com

Can you tell me about a party you attended where the lighting really impressed you?

Hi Everyone! Sorry I missed you last week! September has been really busy, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. If you get a chance, pick up a copy of AMOI magazine (http://www.amoimag.com/magazine). It’s a new Canadian magazine devoted to diversity and community building. It is published quarterly, and I have the honor of being on the cover of the fall issue! We did the shoot and the interview here in my studio, which you can get a peek at below:

I think it is a great magazine with a really interesting perspective. And I am not just saying that because I am on the cover! In the interview, I discuss some of the elements I have built my company around. I always say that the most important thing in this business is to have a product that is different. There are enough parties and events for everyone to be working, so I really don’t like to get into a competitive mode at all. I would much rather set myself apart with unique elements and interesting design.

If you are in the New York area, come check out the program I’m doing with the Learning Annex. On October 9th, I will be appearing at the Metropolitan Doubletree Hotel to talk about entertaining and the events business. You can check out my calendar for more details!