From Bridal Consultant Email Inquiries to Media News Releases, Iron Brides is as Ablaze as New Hampshire’s Foliage is..

From Bridal Consultant Email Inquiries to Media News Releases, Iron Brides is as Ablaze as New Hampshire’s Foliage is……
In New Hampshire, both the Mountainsides and Iron Brides are ablaze with picturesque beauty and are the talk of the town…..let me explain ~
I received an email inquiry from Madeleines, a privately owned Bridal Boutique located in Portsmouth, NH. She had learned of Iron Brides a day prior to contacting me. She wanted to become part of the Iron Brides Focus Group and indicated that she was sending out a bulk email to all of their boutique’s brides informing them of an audition day scheduled at the Sheraton Inn in Portsmouth, NH, next Friday, October 17th, from 2-8 PM. I thought that very, very kind of her. Not only did she mention that, she told me that she and co-workers at Madeleines had said time and again that there should have been or should be a reality show focusing on brides and their weddings.
To this I say, “Madame Senior Bridal Consultant, your wish has been granted!” The Iron Brides concept, in about its 5th week of fruition, is as ablaze with popularity and BUZZ, as the landscape of New Hampshire is with foliage.
Speaking of fall foliage, George met with the management of two venues on Thursday, discussing hotel and film shooting accommodations during the second week in January for the Iron Brides TV Reality Show. Afterwards, he has ventured out on a 4-day vacation with daughter and grandchildren, in celebration of her 29th birthday.
George and I stay in contact on a daily basis. He spoke with me concerning his appointments and told me that he was contacted by Foster’s Daily Democrat, in the Portsmouth area. The writer questioned and discussed the Iron Brides concept as well as obtained information regarding upcoming Audition Day scheduled for Friday, October 17th, at the Sheraton Inn, in Portsmouth, NH.
Speaking of MEDIA, along with the Foster’s Daily Democrat, The Hippo, New Hampshire’s largest Art s & Entertainment Weekly paper is running an article, to be released Thursday. Mike Cousinneau, writer at the Union Leader, was on task at the Holiday Inn during our first shoot. He called me earlier this week to let me know that our coverage will be found in this Sunday’s edition of The Union Leader….. Gotta get me one, two, or three copies of that!
Jeff has been working VERY diligently in getting all of the tapes processed from the very FIRST Audition Day for Iron Brides held Saturday, October 4th, at the Holiday Inn, in Nashua, NH. You can go to the You Tube web site and see a wide array of bride, host, and entertainment auditions…www.youtube.com/ironbrides
I have been working closely by email and phone calls with current contestants – brides, hosts, and entertainment, making sure they have everything in order, and asking if they want to participate in skits and interviews that will be held during our SECOND Audition Day to be held in Portsmouth. I have been manning 2 – 3 phones plus answering emails some days at the office….WHEW! I’m out scanning venues in the Mountains Region, taking in the hiking trails and mountain foliage that is ablaze with crimson red, pumpkin orange, school bus yellow colors, with scattered in by forest green conifers. Leaf Peepers, get out there and take in the sights…They are simply picturesque! No where are the mountains as beautiful as New Hampshire, Vermont, and my stomping ground, upstate New York. I truly miss the Adirondack Park, with its IMMENSE mileage of wilderness…If you can pencil in the time, pack some snack foods or cash to stop for lunch or dinner – and hit the pavement…get out with your camera and peep some leaves. Time is not on our side, ‘cause before you know it, ole man winter will come barreling down on us hard once again.
I’m going to be out of touch for a day or so, but will try to keep up with the blog…There is SO much happening now….as I said, both Iron Brides and New Hampshire’s foliage is ablaze right now!

Have a great Columbus Day weekend!

Compliments to Iron Brides Keep Emailing In….

I want to tell you about a couple more compliments I have received from Iron Brides Contestants, but first, a little about my day – because my days are getting a “little CRAZY.”

After substitute teaching in a school district neighboring Concord, NH, it was off to The Common Man Restaurant to be part of an interviewing process. Anytime you are in Concord, by all means, have lunch or dinner at The Common Man – great food, nice atmosphere! Because it was 3 PM, I opted out of eating…too much food makes for too much Joann and THAT is NOT GOOD! Our meeting wrapped up at 4:45, and I realized we had an audition contestant coming to Nashua very shortly today!

Not letting the grass grow under my feet, I boogied on down the highway toward Nashua, and called the host contestant, telling him that I was on my way…It was all good! He was on his way as well but nevertheless, beat me to the location…Anyhow, we had a nice visit, Jeff conducted his audition and talked shop with him regarding the film industry. A second audition contestant for the host position also stopped by during her appointed time. Ellen and Karl actually role played for part of their audition. Its wonderful how well people work together!

After we were finished, it was time to head home as my day was not finished. By phone, George and I, and also Jeff and I, got each other caught up on the days events. Iron Brides’ Executive Producer, George Jobel, had a productive day, which will be blogged about later. Jeff Thayer, the Director for Iron Brides, has been diligently working on getting auditions posted to the You Tube website. You need to check out the auditions – they are AMAZING! Go to www.youtube.com/ironbrides

When I opened email, I had 89 new emails since this morning when I left for school…..I started pouring through the material and would like to share some of the comments from people that have both pulled together their own audition tapes and from those who attended our session in Nashua last weekend.

This little gal, Jennifer Lessard, was our FIRST OFFICIAL Iron Brides Contestant to post her questionnaire to us online. She has had a dickens of a time getting a camera, a camera that would project her teeny-tiny voice, and alas, she burst the bubble. You have to check out her video on You Tube.

She dropped me an email recently stating……

“Joann,

Thank you for all your help and support!!! Lets hope I get chosen so I can obtain wedding planning skills!!
Its about time I marry my prince charming!!

Have a good day!

~~Jennifer”

Our bridal contestant from Maine, Kate Gerrish, who is engaged to a strengthy looking Lobsterman, AND whose pictures are posted elsewhere in my blog, has been following the Iron Brides website www.ironbrides.tv and my Blogs. Katie created her own video, which can be done and she had a very nice response even though she didn’t travel to Nashua for auditions….I did not want to have her drive that kind of distance, even though she would have, I’m sure….that’s the dedication I am seeing from these contestants! They are serious about participating – not solely for prizes but for the reality aspect as well…that is SO COOL!

“Hi Joann! I just wanted to say it looks and sounds like you guys had a great time at the auditions in New Hampshire last weekend!! Sorry to have missed it. I loved the “Iron Brides” with their wedding dresses and tool belts! I have been keeping up on your blog (and George and Jeff’s) and it sounds like things are coming along quite well. Great videos on youtube too! Hope I get the chance to meet you all soon!

-Kate”

Well, I have tons of work to do, for Iron Brides, Web Design, and College course work… Please keep following the Blogs posted on the web site for further updates! I will try my hardest to keep up with the Blogs : )

– Chow

Iron Brides Taping – QUIET ON THE SET! (Blah, Blah, Blah)

As the crowd thickened in the foyer area to enter the Conference Room of the Holiday Inn in Nashua, NH, being used for auditions for the upcoming reality TV Show, Iron Brides, a slight sense of tenseness crept over me….Wow, this audition taping thing is really happening, I told myself.   Being a bit nervous, I found it hard to sleep the night before.  I kept wondering how many of the bridal contestants would show up, would the three host contestants who said that they were coming and wanting to work the bridal crowd be there….even moreso, I found myself wondering what all of these folks looked like…..how many were as vertically challenged as me……how many had blonde, light brown, or black  hair?   Did any of them sport tatoos that would be really visable, what would they expect from us, what sort of questions will they have, how did they learn about the reality TV Show……alot of silly thoughts, I know.  Just enough for inquiring minds, however!

As contestants came, checked in, and were given an overview of what to expect, the auditions and still photography sessions began.  The excitement in the foyer would grow a little from time to time and the Executive Producer would make an appearance from the Iron Brides Studio set up, and have to remind us with a SSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!  QUIET ON THE SET! comment.   After four or five times, one of the Bridal Contestants, Nicole, had mentioned that it was probably because of her…that somehow, someway, she seemed to find trouble….. HMMMM!  (ha  ha)   That grew to be the joke for the morning as periodically, the SSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH! remark would be given again and again.   People were trying hard to be respectful of the auditions being held within the conference room.  However, the level of excitement in chatting, skit planning, and new contestants being checked in made it hard to keep the noise to a “dull roar”.

One of our Contestants, who shall remain nameless, created a sign for George, the Executive Producer, as part of good fun which rounded out the morning session.  The sign read something like this…..QUIET  on THE SET!  (Blah, Blah, Blah)  -  I almost wanted to have it taped on someone’s back  : ) 

All in good fun, my friends!

Iron Brides Cameras Start to Roll in Nashua, NH

The level of energy was simply amazing in the conference room at the Holiday Inn in Nashua, NH.  Before 8:30 AM, host auditioners were awaiting…..just think – a DJ, an inspiring actress from the Boston area, and two of the brides.  Now that shows interest!   By 9:00, we had a room full of men and women wanting to participate in the Iron Brides auditions.   As people were being given directions as to what the morning entailed, I introduced the girls and guys……….they took the ball and ran with it, so to speak, in chatting with one another.  One of our Bridal contestants, Lu Lu, brought Reeses Pieces cookies - that was GREAT!  I  had a  hard time keeping myself away from them…..addicting!   The girls were amazed at how I could sweep the room when making introductions, knowing each person’s name…guess you had to be there.  They were wondering how I could do that!  I told them that it was part of being an educator – you learn a classroom full of children’s names quickly – it builds rapport : )

We had two cameramen on deck.  Jeff, the Director of Iron Brides Productions, was assisting want to be bride, host, entertainer, and actor contestants through their audition tapings for the You Tube web site.  Dave Petty, our 2nd cameraman, was a tremendous asset, as he always is when working with us….he is flexible in turning from taking still photographs to videotaping reality events, is good with multi-tasking as well.  He was instrumental in rolling tape for Iron Brides skits…….which will be posted on You Tube within the next week. Make sure you check You Tube  www.youtube.com/ironbrides

What I felt to be heartwarming was the conversation from many contestants among themselves – as though they knew one another for some time…It made my job a bit easier.   Another thing that was nice to hear was that many of the contestants auditioning weren’t necessarily concerned about prizes per say, they are interested in the involvement of a reality TV Show.

When asked how they heard of Iron Brides before going to the web site www.ironbrides.tv, several said that they had heard about it from the radio, parents and friends had read it on Craigs List and told them to check it out, and others by surfing the internet as part of their wedding planning.

Hats off to ALL contestants who participated in the morning skits……….they were really good sports in learning, drilling, and taking instruction.   Hosts were given ideas and then sent off to improvise their own skits.   It will be interesting to see what is You Tube-ized from the footage taken.

THE NUMBER 1 question?   Why the power tools?  HHMMMMMM…….I guess the public will have to wait to see!  The only people who currently know are those who were there…… : )

Auditions, candid photography, still photography of brides in gowns, contestants, interviews between Iron Bride Host and Bridal Contestants, Concierge and Bridal Contestants – alot was happening.

We were very fortunate to be visited by a photographer and then a writer from The Union Leader, a major news source in New Hampshire.   Both Tom and Mike were able to view first hand, specifically Mike, a couple of the skits the groups coordinated and performed.  Thanks for the publicity, Union Leader!

We had a Bridal Contestant who is a JV Field Hockey Coach : )

We had two girls with incredible stories to tell – they are caught on tape and will be posted on You Tube shortly.

We had Hosts having a war over the microphone……INTENSE!

We auditioned a fabulous comedian who auditioned for the TV Show and January taping session.  Ironically, he also accidentally left his wallet behind and needed ID……unless it was part of the acting gig….  : )

We auditioned a couple of music groups interested in developing the theme music for the Iron Brides TV Show as well as perform one evening during the week of taping in January.

Lastly, we auditioned a late comer who had notified me early on that because of her schedule during the day, she could not make it for her appointed time.  She asked if there was any way possible for her to come at the end of the day, at 5 PM.   Not a problem.   4:50. in walks this petite young lady with a guy in tow.   I said, Kylin?  She said, yes, I’m here for the Iron Brides Audition.   This struck me wholly because here was a gal who couldn’t make it earlier due to scheduling conflicts, said she would be there at 5, and showed up a bit before 5 and with her fiance.  She depicted a sense of committment and perserverance by her attitude towards the taping.  Their audition was very sensitive.   I can’t wait to see her taping, as well as the others completed, on You Tube.  

Get out the kleenex, people….they are all going to be wonderfully felt, I have a feeling.

Hey All YOU Iron Brides Fans – We Got One!

Iron Bride

Sound like the phrase from “Ghostbusters”?   We Got One!   The Iron Brides posting at our You Tube web site www.youtube.com/ironbrides  received its FIRST, OFFICIAL Wanna-Be-Bride posting this evening….And NO, she is not green, nor is she covered in slime!   Her name is Katie Gerrish, from Rockland, ME, a Financial Planner, and fiance is a Lobsterman.  Way Cool!  Her audition appears very relaxed – a good audition piece for Iron Brides and a great FIRST EXAMPLE!  She’s not alone however…   There have been MANY Iron Brides questionnaires submitted by girls in NH, MA, and ME.   Our Iron Brides bridal contestants have been BUSILY working on compiling their bridal auditions for the You Tube/Iron Brides postings.   I have counseled a number of girls on steps needed, brainstorming ideas on what to say or do, and scheduling appointments to assist in the video tapings that will kick off the first weekend in October.  Okay people – lets check out the latest video posting to You Tube’s Iron Brides web page because this New Hampshire Reality TV Show is a happening thing and yes, We Got One!   Next?   How about 50, or 100!

Phone calls, emails, more emails….Oh My!

All I need is to picture Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz in quoting my Blog title  : )

By the way, the writer of the story, The Wizard of Oz,  Frank Baum, once lived in a town in upstate NY known as Chittenango, NY.  There is an annual Oz Fest held to commemorate the author, storyline, and characters.

Speaking of authors, storyline, and characters…………the overwhelming responses for auditions, video tapings, questions and inquiries about the new TV show, Iron Brides has been fabulous. EVEN on Sunday the phone has been ringing and emails – they are becoming hard to keep up with.  I have created folders for each entry we have listed on our Iron Brides web site……found at www.ironbrides.tv

I feel like Dorothy, walking down that yellow brick road, looking around me, wondering, thinking aloud -

not lions, tigers, and bears……..but phone calls, emails, more emails……Oh My!

Love it!

–Chow