Behind the Scenes: Unveiling the Magic of Lowe’s Fix in Six DIY Videos in NYC
My recent journey to New York City marked my second visit this year, and notably, my second trip to the Big Apple ever. Determined to maximize every moment, I embraced this opportunity with unparalleled enthusiasm. This particular adventure was made possible through an exciting collaboration with Lowe’s, a household name in home improvement, bringing a unique behind-the-scenes look at their innovative DIY content.
My Unexpected Journey into Stop-Motion DIY with Lowe’s
The story of this incredible trip began last September with an intriguing email from a Lowe’s representative. They were seeking quick, practical DIY tips for their popular Vine video series, “Lowe’s Fix In Six” (easily found via the hashtag #LowesFixInSix). As a dedicated DIY blogger, one might assume I’d be intimately familiar with every trending home hack on the internet. However, I confess to being somewhat of an ostrich in the DIY blogging world, often discovering new trends only when others bring them to my attention. This series was no exception, a delightful revelation to me!
Upon investigation, I discovered that Lowe’s had cultivated an extraordinarily clever collection of six-second stop-motion videos. These concise, visually engaging clips are designed to empower the average homeowner with simple, effective do-it-yourself solutions. Crafting a compelling instructional video in just six seconds is a fascinating creative challenge, demanding both immense skill and meticulous attention to detail from their animators. I delved into a few examples, immediately impressed by their whimsical approach, before brainstorming my own list of potential tips. While they had requested “three or four,” I couldn’t resist sending them closer to twenty, eager to contribute diverse ideas to their innovative platform. After some promising discussions, one particular tip stood out to them: the surprisingly effective use of real mayonnaise to remove stubborn water stains from wood furniture. Their production team quickly followed up with a detailed storyboard, bringing their vision for my tip to life.
Instead of the straightforward scenario I had envisioned – a typical water ring on an old piece of furniture – their team devised a wonderfully imaginative narrative. The storyboard depicted a water glass comically tipping over, creating a water stain shaped like a slice of bread. Then, a seemingly floating hand would expertly smear mayonnaise across it, as if preparing a sandwich, and with a touch of visual magic, the water stain would vanish. The entire sequence was designed to loop seamlessly, making it endlessly repeatable on Vine. Given that many “Fix in Six” tips I’d already seen leaned towards the whimsical (like the amusing moonwalking mosquito), this creative interpretation perfectly aligned with the series’ playful yet practical spirit. It was an ingenious concept, truly captivating and fun!
A Dream Invitation: NYC & Lowe’s Collaboration
In exchange for my DIY tip contribution, Lowe’s extended an incredible invitation: an all-expenses-paid trip to their New York City studio to witness the intricate filming process of these Vine videos. The plan included gathering a handful of other bloggers, each with their own unique tips, for an immersive experience. Beyond the studio tour, Lowe’s generously offered to show us around the iconic city, treat us to delightful dinners, and provide accommodation in a stylish hotel for our overnight stay. This was far more than just a business trip; it was an opportunity to combine professional engagement with personal exploration.
As anyone would in such an exhilarating situation, I accepted the offer with enthusiastic speed, perhaps even quicker than Muhammad Ali turning off a light! My eagerness to return to New York and explore more of its legendary landmarks was already palpable. During my previous brief visit, I hadn’t had the chance to experience iconic spots like Times Square or Central Park, places I had always dreamed of seeing. Lowe’s graciously allowed me to extend my stay by flying in early and departing late, ensuring I had ample time for tourist sightseeing. The thought of revisiting New York, and this time delving deeper into its vibrant culture and famous attractions, filled me with immense joy. New York, here I come again, and this time, I’m truly ready to explore!
Over my four-day trip, I captured more than a thousand photographs, many of which I am still meticulously editing. Every single moment in the city was an absolute delight, and my camera rarely left my hand. To avoid creating a single, impossibly long blog post that might warrant a mention in the Guinness Book of Records, I’ve decided to break down this grand adventure into several manageable pieces. Today, we’re diving into the fascinating behind-the-scenes world of the Lowe’s studio. In upcoming posts, I’ll share my explorations of Brooklyn, picturesque photos of New York’s famous landmarks, and other exciting details – perhaps even a celebrity sighting or two!
Behind the Scenes: A Day at the Vine Production Studio
The Studio & Fellow Bloggers: A Whirlwind Morning
The day of the filming session began bright and early, requiring me to be ready by 7 AM. I joined a convoy of vans transporting myself, nine other talented bloggers, and a dedicated team of Lowe’s staff to the sprawling studio located in Brooklyn. My first mission upon spotting the craft services table was a strategic beeline for the coffee, a crucial step to erase any lingering traces of early morning grumpiness from my face – let’s just call it the “Early Morning RBF” antidote.
It took at least a second cup of coffee for my brain to fully process the extraordinary sights that greeted me upon entering the studio. My eyes widened as I spotted a man on a stage, encased within a colossal lizard foot. And just moments later, my gaze drifted to a corner where a group of vibrant, colorful monster props were casually waiting. These were not what I expected for a DIY shoot!
Clearly, my tip about using mayonnaise for water stains was going to be remarkably tame in comparison to whatever these other creative minds had proposed. What fantastical solutions had they envisioned? And zebra feet, too? The sheer variety of props suggested an incredible range of imaginative scenarios.
Discovering Diverse DIY Magic
After a much-needed breakfast, we were ushered into the main filming room, a dynamic space where multiple camera setups were simultaneously bringing different DIY concepts to life. Each section of the studio was meticulously organized, allowing the exceptionally efficient crew to work on several Vines at once. It was here that I learned the purpose of the colorful creatures I’d seen earlier: they were adorable “germ” props, destined for a dramatic end in a microwave as part of a cleaning tip from the blog Bright Bold & Beautiful.
While the filming of this particular Vine, which would result in the final product, was an all-day affair, we had the freedom to observe each creative process unfolding around us. Scattered about the studio were fascinating pieces of evidence from their initial conceptualization stages, including detailed drawings and sketches of the monster props, offering a glimpse into the creative journey from idea to execution.
The ingenuity on display was truly captivating, and I found myself snapping photos of everything. It turned out that the various animal feet belonged to a clever tip from Wendy and Alex of Old Town Home, who were also incredibly entertaining companions throughout the day. Their concept was beautifully simple: using walnuts to buff out shallow scratches on hardwood floors. Watching the production unfold was a treat. First, they filmed various “feet” – including lizards, elephants, zebras, and even live cat and dog actors – seemingly trampling the floor to create the scratches. Then, they meticulously “casted” for the most photogenic walnuts, which were filmed separately against a bluescreen (or greenscreen; I’m still not entirely sure of the technical difference). All these elements were then expertly composited together to create the final, seamless Vine. And yes, I absolutely couldn’t resist joining Wendy and Alex in playing with the amusing fake feet!
Given that it was October, several Halloween-themed tips were also in production. Sarah from Emma Magazine contributed a brilliant idea for using cookie cutters to carve intricate shapes into a jack-o’-lantern. The creation of the spinning effect in the finished Vine was particularly amusing; one of the directors had to sit hidden beneath the staged pumpkin, painstakingly rotating it frame by frame.
Another Halloween-adjacent tip involved a rather freaky-looking doll that managed to give us all the creeps! This prop was part of a clever tip from The DIY Playbook, showcasing how to use magnets in your medicine cabinet to neatly organize and hold bobby pins. The creativity in making everyday objects and problems into engaging six-second stories was truly inspiring.
My crafty side was especially impressed by the meticulous detail involved in Timothy’s tip from Charles & Hudson. His video focused on using sawdust to effectively clean up garage spills. The stop-motion animation included an incredibly detailed fish prop, adding a whimsical narrative twist that suggested sawdust could help fish learn to walk – you truly have to see the Vine to understand the brilliant absurdity!
The Meticulous Making of My Mayo Water Stain Removal Vine
Finally, it was time to witness the production of my own DIY tip. The most striking realization for me was the sheer level of collaboration and meticulous effort required to bring a single six-second Vine to fruition. It wasn’t just about executing an idea; it was a symphony of teamwork.
After each minuscule adjustment and every single photograph taken, the team would diligently check their progress on a nearby computer. They used specialized stop-motion software that allowed them to overlay and compare each frame, ensuring that no element had accidentally shifted and that the desired motion was perfectly captured. This precision was paramount for achieving seamless animation.
Numerous elements had to be perfectly orchestrated: the precise lighting, the careful positioning of props, and ensuring the “water stain” appeared convincingly realistic. To think, all this intricate work for just six fleeting seconds of video! It truly underscored the dedication and artistry involved in stop-motion animation.
For those, like me, who appreciate the technical details, the “water” spill itself was initially created using glycerin rather than actual water. Glycerin has the advantage of staying in place longer and maintaining a clear, realistic appearance as it “spills,” making it ideal for stop-motion. For the actual stain on the wood, the animator employed a carefully mixed solution of watered-down paint, likely combined with glycerin to retain a subtle sheen. I noticed various test samples nearby, indicating that the team had experimented with different materials, including chalk, to pinpoint the exact texture and visual effect needed to perfectly replicate a genuine water stain.
The animator chosen to be the “hand model” for this particular Vine faced a demanding task, having to meticulously hold the knife in precise positions, frame after painstaking frame. This session, requiring immense patience and steadiness, was undoubtedly one of the more physically tiring for them.
Finally, all the intricate pieces came together to create this remarkable Vine (click through to the Vine feed to experience the full audio-visual effect):
Reflections on a Collaborative Creative Journey
My overall impression of the Lowe’s Fix in Six crew was one of profound admiration. Their talent, efficiency, and almost saint-like patience were truly remarkable. Despite a constant stream of curious bloggers observing their every move, they never once seemed flustered or impatient. I honestly expected them to eventually lose their composure and politely usher us out of the room – I certainly would have if I were in their shoes! It’s hard to imagine how anyone can achieve such high-quality work amidst what felt like organized chaos.
Yet, they not only allowed us to stay but also thoughtfully interspersed the filming sessions with insightful blogger presentations. Throughout the day, representatives from Buzzfeed, Lowe’s, and the Vine directors themselves shared invaluable tips on branding, content sharing strategies, and the overall dynamics of creating impactful short-form video content. These sessions provided a fantastic learning opportunity, bridging the gap between DIY enthusiasm and professional content creation.
The entire filming process spanned two full days, allowing us to step out each afternoon to explore the vibrant borough of Brooklyn. However, those captivating details are reserved for a future post, as I suspect you’re as ready for a break from reading as I am from typing (though truly, thanks for sticking with me – you rock!). This immersive experience not only offered a fascinating glimpse into the world of stop-motion DIY video production but also deepened my appreciation for the creative energy and collaborative spirit that brings such projects to life.
Disclaimer: While Lowe’s generously sponsored my trip to New York City, there was no obligation whatsoever for me to publish any content about the experience, even on social media (though you might have caught a few glimpses there last month!). However, I find immense joy in travel and discovering fascinating behind-the-scenes processes. Sharing these unique insights with you felt like a natural and exciting way to document such a memorable collaboration. Do keep an eye out for more stories from this incredible journey in the coming weeks!