And Action!

The vendors had been forewarned of the film crew that was at the market on Sunday. The email sent earlier in the week was tantamount to telling us to be on time and look good. For seasoned marketeers, this wasn’t our first rodeo.

Patrons reactions to the cameraman wandering throughout the stands bordered on comical.

“Oh no, my hair looks terrible and I’m wearing old clothes!” Then stay away from the cameraman.

“Oh no, I hope they’re not going to tell everyone about our market. It’s already getting crowded.” 

Seriously? Wait until all those high rises currently under construction are occupied. Look on the bright side, we’ve got plenty of free parking at all our markets, I added.

Others craned their necks asking which celebrity chef was filming. No, not that one. He filmed here last month. This is Maryland Public Broadcasting. How can you be mad at MPB?

This is the time of the year for photo and film opportunities at the market with the bounty of colorful fruits and vegetables. As one of the largest farmers markets in the mid-Atlantic region, there’s plenty of B roll. And if you haven’t already figured it out, this is National Farmers Market Week, a made-for-media promotion to inform the public as to the benefits of patronizing their local farmers markets. Smart shoppers know every week is farmers market week.

Throughout the years I’ve seen an assortment of media at the markets. There was the big spread in Bethesda Magazine and filming for Future Harvest’s movie, Go Grass-Fed. My favorite was a woman carrying a microphone and a recorder who wanted to ask me a few questions. Later I found out who she was when friends from all over the country called to tell me they’d heard me on an NPR story.

While the mark of a good reporter is to slide in and out as smoothly as possible, a film crew can take up time and space. Some folks get cranky when they’re trying to snag a few tomatoes only to get behind a soundperson fiddling with a microphone while the cameraman and director wait for yet another take.

Any savvy businessperson knows the value of free publicity.  When someone asks, “Can I take your picture?” or “Will you answer a few questions?” the answer is always a resounding YES!  Some do it to get their products in front of as many eyes as possible and others do so to spread their message. Don’t get me talking about soil health, industrial agriculture’s impact on the planet, or the importance of protecting our watersheds. We’ll have an entire miniseries on our hands.

The one thing, however, I refuse to tolerate is the modern day social media influencer. Yeah, you know who you are. The one who shows up asking for free products in return for suggesting their audience purchase our products. When I told them I’d throw the eggs at them before giving them away, they got the message and walked away with me yelling at them to not bother any of the other vendors with their influencer crap.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy talking to the media, but there’s a professional etiquette about it. First, if you plan on having a film crew, it’s wise to contact the market’s management well in advance. Don’t just show up as we have specific rules about who can and can’t film at the market. Reporters, we’re more than happy to answer your questions, but please understand we’re also doing business. We’ll fit you in between paying customers. (Note: if you’re a customer and I find out you’re also a journalist I will follow your reporting and talk to you about it when I see you at market.)  If you still have questions, ask to call us. I’ve tromped through morning chores with my phone on speaker tucked into the top pocket of my coveralls for in-depth conversations with journalists begun at the market.  And most importantly, if the market or vendors show up in your stories, shoot us the link or send us a copy of the publication.

All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up.