Behind the Scenes at a Video Shoot with Ozone Films

Eric Dimmick and the Owners of Red Barn Mercantile, Laurie and Marty Chambers

By Cliff Yankovich || contributing writer

5/7/2024

Eric Dimmick has been making videos since he was sixteen years old. The 2017 Lowell graduate started making money filming weddings shortly after he got a driver’s license and never stopped. This reporter has followed Eric ever since he started doing video work for the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce several years ago. Dimmick has literally traveled the world with his cameras, and these days, his company, Ozone Films, is doing video productions that are a long, long way from weddings. Ozone has four people directly employed and a stable of 27 free lancers with various skill sets that they can call upon when needed.

Last Sunday, we secured an invitation to Red Barn Mercantile and we met up with owners, Laurie and Marty Chambers, along with Chamber Director, Shannon Kennedy, to witness a collaborative effort that put Eric behind the camera as he filmed a promotional video for Red Barn. The video will feature all the products in the store, with a big emphasis on their successful representation of Michigan produced Love Wines. Ozone and the Chamber put together some packages that put the world-class production skills of Dimmick and his crew into the realm of affordability for small businesses that make up the bulk of the Chamber’s membership.

Eric’s video-making skills have taken him on some pretty great adventures. When we asked him for his favorite shooting experience, he told us about a recent project for a Canadian aerospace firm, Max Space, that involved a helicopter ride to 10,000 feet, eight members of the Ozone crew, and Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) to create a promotional video of a product that just might revolutionize space travel. We really don’t have time to explain it, but you can learn about it and other Ozone productions at their website: www.ozonefilms.com. Speaking of high tech, Eric also does video work for Orb Aerospace – that cool entity working out of the Lowell Airport.

Back to earth and Red Barn Mercantile. Marty and Laurie were thinking of ways to help build their brand when they heard about the video packages available at a Chamber meeting. “It was a no brainer,” Laurie interjected. “The support that our Chamber gives us is awesome.”

“We wanted something to help with our slower months,” Marty said. “We found out more about Ozone and how good they are at what they do.” Red Barn is the third Chamber member to recognize the potential impact of having a professionally produced video. Ozone has worked with Rogers Neighborhood Realty and Flat River Gallery and Framing. Dimmick has circled the globe and lives in Grand Rapids, but his heart is all about Lowell. “It was cool to put these packages together for the Chamber,” Eric said. “It is a great value for the businesses involved.” Eric also mentioned how much he enjoyed working with the Lowell businesses because it allowed him to get back behind the camera, personally, when a lot of what he does these days falls under the label of Director.

The groundwork for the co-op program from the Lowell Chamber was laid just before Liz Baker retired. Shannon Kennedy made sure that the idea was brought to fruition. She would like to see the concept catch-on with more Chamber members. “We are looking to expand the offering,” Kennedy said. “I want to include everyone we can, including manufacturers. They can explore topics like ‘Why are we hiring?’ or ‘Why would you want to come and work with us?’. Every kind of business can benefit from a well-produced video.” Shannon encouraged anyone interested in the co-op program to get in touch with the Chamber at 616-897-9161.

Marty and Laurie Chambers had a nice crowd of friends, family, and customers sampling wine and shopping the store, while Eric gathered the rough video footage that he and his team will edit down into a package Red Barn can put to use. Marty was insistent that Eric get some great shots of the bar in the store. It is an attention-getter for sure. “Everybody likes to pet the bar,” Marty explained with a chuckle. “The bar is made from some of the original timbers from the building. We figure the wood was harvested in the late 1800s.”

There was a lot of fun and laughter as the “customers” moved around into different groups, sampled wine (root beer floats for non-drinkers and the kids) and generally, followed Eric’s directions. We are looking forward to the finished product almost as much as Marty, Laurie, and Shannon.