Big Teeth Productions Turns 20
Big Teeth Productions will turn 20-years-old on September 15. In honor of the milestone, the Chicago-based creative production studio will host film- and community-related events all weekend.
The celebration starts with a friends- and family-style gathering at the company’s Ravenswood studio on Friday, September 12th. It will continue Saturday and Sunday as Big Teeth hosts its 9th annual Big Teeth Sixty Second Film Fest, a beloved part of the Ravenswood Art Walk.
The Sixty Second Film Fest is a showcase of one-minute films inspired by a famous work of art chosen at random by each director. Screenings are every 20 minutes from 11 am – 6 pm each day. They roll on the :00, :20 and :40 of every hour.
The SSFF inspired the launch of the Big Teeth Small Shorts Film Festival (BTSSFF), now in its 6th year, dedicated to celebrating short films from around the world and the filmmakers who create them. BTSSFF is held twice yearly at Facets.
BIG TEETH PRODUCTIONS VIDEO & MOTION REEL
WEATHERING INDUSTRY CHANGES AND GROWTH
When asked about the two-decade marker, owner and Executive Producer Elise Jaffe reflected on the company’s resilience: “We’ve weathered a lot of changes in the industry and technology, which were to be expected, but a global pandemic and a couple recessions on top of that… that’s where the real pride comes in.”
Jaffe, who graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program in 2022, credits constant education paired with flexibility and transparency as crucial to keeping the business thriving. Well, that and developing strong relationships with clients and crew while always having a little fun on the job.
A FAMILY BUSINESS BUILT ON PARTNERSHIP
The interconnected nature of work and personal life has been central to Big Teeth’s success. Elise and her husband Gregg started the business after dating for only eight months. Now married for almost 18 years, the couple runs not only the business but also all three film festivals annually while raising two children alongside their two dogs. They are currently working on their first feature documentary, “UnScarred,” which is launching a crowdfunding campaign this week to cover finishing costs. Click here for details.
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