More Random Pics From The DVD Shoot

Michelle (on left) and I went to college together. I was a tennis player, she was a cheerleader. She teaches fitness now and is also a make-up artist. She is stunningly beautiful – see the up-close snapshot below!

Natalie (on the right) is a veteran fitness instructor and continues to lead packed classes at THE STUDIO. I met her at the 2005 ECA conference in NYC. At the onset of my workshop I said, “Hi Everybody, I’m Ellen and I just moved to Connecticut. Does anyone here live in Connecticut?” I was feeling lonely, missing my California friends and needed some fitness instructing friends on the east coast, plus I just opened the studio and was killing myself teaching too many classes/week. After the workshop, this smily woman walked up to me and said, “I live in Connecticut and I’d love to teach at your studio.” Oh Natalie, I still get chills… like an angel walked up to me -I just knew it was a stroke of luck! To this day I say, “Natalie was sent to me by God.”
People ask how the exercisers in DVDs become exercisers in DVDs. For me, I don’t want actors or models because sometimes they don’t have the stamina and work ethic to make it through the day. The shoot days are long and physical and there is a lot of start and stopping. That’s why I want actual instructors who I know personally  - they understand that the shoot day isn’t “a workout” it’s a job. Instructors (I think) are made of steel! Super tough. Not wimpy at all.

This is my niece, Jennifer. She’s 13 years old going on 21! I put her to work making sure we smiled on camera. Jen (as you can see) was very good at the job! When cameras weren’t rolling, Jen was busy texting. She brought a lot of youthful energy to the set.

Here I am, grateful to sit down on set. If you look closely, I’ve got coffee, my Ipod and my choreography notes – three “VIPs” that I became dependent on during the whole DVD process. The only missing element was water. I usually have a 1.5liter bottle with me at all times too. And about the note….No one can understand the notes except me. I create my own secret code unintentionally – lots of arrows and bullet points and doodling in the margins. Happens every time, even though I start out with neatly typed clean copy!

I’ve just seen some video footage and it’s lookin’ good! stay tuned.