NewGroup Media to the Rescue: Harley-Davidson Biker Chicks Get a Makeover!

What does NewGroup Media have in common with Harley-Davidson? A Makeover Story, the popular series airing on cable TV's The Learning Channel. The challenge: Transform two suburban Chicago motorcycle-riding young women from their hard-edged Harley-Davidson look to a more feminine and sexy style. For producers of A Makeover Story and NewGroup Media, a snap-- covered in three days' shooting.

Banyan Productions of Philadelphia and Los Angeles produces A Makeover Story in various locations across the US. Banyan contacted NewGroup Media, (which had already collaborated with them on two episodes of the popular Trading Spaces series and another of A Wedding Story,) and asked partner Chris Salvador to assist with producing the 3-day Makeover shoot held in and around Chicago. NGM dispatched personnel to the shoot-three cameramen and an audio specialist.

The two biker women-good friends both named "Kari Anne," had written to the show's producers asking for a makeover, explaining that as Harley-Davidson enthusiasts, they both had "image issues." Kari Anne Lakins, 34, a stay-at-home mom married to a fireman, admitted that she only wore jeans and T-shirts in black and white. Kari Anne Blass, 33, also married to a Harley rider, was even more extreme: her wardrobe was strictly limited to official Harley apparel!

Banyan producer Risa Saslow from Los Angeles led the crew and her two "stars" through three intensive days of shooting. Day One focused on "lifestyle" footage, gathering shots of the women's home life and interviews with family and friends. Some of these were shot in a "biker bar," Fatman's, that despite some initial apprehension on the part of the crew, turned out to be patronized by rather friendly suburban folks just crazy about riding their bikes in between their nine-to-five jobs.

Day Two of shooting kept the women strictly separated from each other. Each shopped for half a day at ShopGirl, an upscale Chicago boutique whose staff had pre-selected several outfits for each woman, complete with accessories and shoes from Shoe Soul, just around the corner. Each try-on of an ensemble required a spin before the camera.

Day Three took both women to the Teddie Kossof Salon and Spa in Northfield but again kept them strictly separated from each other. There they underwent hair cuts, hair styling, make-up, pedicures and manicures with separate cameras recording each transformation. At the end of the afternoon, all decked out in their new looks and clothes, the two were finally allowed to see each other as two cameras captured their happy reactions. The day ended at the Byron Colby Barn for a joint pre-birthday celebration. Husbands, parents, friends and family members on hand thrilled to the look of the now-glamorous "biker gals."

NewGroup crew members shot the episode in 16 x 9 using Sony digibeta, wireless mics and Arri lighting.

After the shoot, producer Risa Saslow let partner Chris Salvador know that the NewGroup crew had been fantastic. "Everyone you sent my way was terrific." Saslow told him. "They knew what I wanted even before I asked. They were a great group of people." The admiration was mutual: Mark Stephenson, audio engineer for the shoot, noted Saslow's professionalism and organization. "I appreciated working with Risa and her associate producer Nau. They both knew exactly what they wanted in shots and coverage."

The show is set to air during the new fall, 2003 season of the series, A Makeover Story broadcast on The Learning Channel.

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