Five Questions with SCREEN: Alison Bloom

What do Amy Poehler, an epic round of Shark Tank and the most unexpected presidential candidate ever have in common? They’re all right here as Colorist Alison Bloom of Flavor and Cutters Studios stops by for a thoroughly entertaining round of Five Questions with SCREEN. Let’s get to it!

SCREEN: So you’ve been chosen for the new season of Shark Tank. What are you pitching to the Sharks?

ALISON: Hello Sharks! Niche this may be, but anyone that has worked in this industry for very long will appreciate a legitimate “Split the Difference Button”! Bonus points if it is huge and says “how’s this look” à la the Staples Easy button.

SCREEN: If you could appoint ANYONE to be the next President of the United States, who would it be?

ALISON: Anyone that knows me knows who I am voting for in the real presidential election this year, but if I could truly pick ANYONE there are a few fictional characters that I think would be great. Leslie Knope first and foremost – intelligence, dedication, and a little levity. As VP, I’d go with Mary Poppins – we could use some extra magic and kindness right now.

SCREEN: Your favorite project you’ve ever worked on?

ALISON: I’ve been very lucky in my career to work on some pretty amazing projects with some pretty amazing people. Just recently I was the on set VFX supervisor for the KitchenAid music video Love the Racks – I was laughing the entire day, truly amazing.

I look back fondly with an air of “how did I survive this project” on T.I.M., a short film/music video for SYML’s Mr. Sandman. Talk about tough – basically every shot had the main actor in a green screen body suit that had to be removed, and then have the glasses and hat put back on. For color grading I’ve recently worked on quite a few really cool projects but specifically Disney’s “This Is Magic” campaign, Pepsi’s “All the Best Moments are Better With Pepsi,” and The North Face’s 2024 Pride Campaign.

Let’s take a look at that Disney campaign…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZb0_GWWG8I

SCREEN: If you could be a contestant on any reality TV show, which would it be?

ALISON: Oh easy – Making It hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. Beyond the fact that I truly believe the three of us would be best friends should we ever meet, that competition is basically just a crafting hoopla. Sign me up!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJRyivJpXLw

SCREEN: Worst job ever?

ALISON: Ooof – I’ve been pretty lucky with my employment history, though of course I have the classic “worked at a cafe in college” which wasn’t always glamorous.  That being said, even the best job has bad days.  One summer I worked as a mid-inning entertainer for the West Michigan Whitecaps Ballpark which was usually a blast – we played games, I sang the national anthem, we danced the cupid shuffle line dance WAY too frequently – but one day we did a “Japanese Baseball” theme where we wore all of the costumes of our Japanese sister teams.  I was in a full body eagle costume and boy was it HOT in that costume.  Not the easiest to do the wobble in, either… 

BONUS QUESTIONS!

SCREEN: One restaurant, one meal, anywhere you want, and we’re buying. What will it be?

ALISON: Oh easy – an Omakase with a sake pairing. Chicago isn’t necessarily known for having the most exciting sushi scene but I have heard pretty positive things about the Omakase Room at Sushi-San funny enough. Sushi is my comfort food, so I’m game all day any day to try something new.

SCREEN: Best advice you’ve ever been given?

ALISON: Professionally, my first boss in the industry always used to say “cover your ass,” which I always took to mean “don’t let something slip through the cracks if you can catch it.” Personally however, the best advice I’ve always gotten in life has been from my mom. She reminds me “you’re not alone” in anything – there is always someone else who can commiserate or empathise with what I am going through, so never suffer in silence. She also always says “this too shall pass,” an excellent reminder that no matter what this moment holds – good or bad – it cannot last forever. Work to push through the difficult knowing there is an end, and cherish the beautiful moments you have because tomorrow they will be memories.

Thanks for playing, Alison! For more from Alison and her team at Flavor, click right here.

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