The Lot - Spring '25

A quarterly newsletter from Lot 43 Studio

Author

Nic Huey
March 06, 2025

Hello! It’s a brisk Thursday morning here in Atlanta. For those we haven’t met, we’re a boutique production company bringing branded films to life, from pre-production to post finishing.

We’ve had a busy few months here at Lot 43, and we’d love to share three things happening in our little corner of the map.

1. The wonderful world of Robell Awake.

Robell at work in his home studio.

Over the last year we’ve been working with Robell Awake to tell his story as an artist, educator, and a writer.

For his art, Robell works raw lumber into one-of-a-kind pieces using hand tools in his home wood shop in the West End of Atlanta. His craft, however, is only a small part of his ongoing exploration into the history of Black craftsmanship. He recently published a book "A Short History of Black Craft in Ten Objects.” It’s a beautiful work and includes illustrations by Johnalynn Holland. His research reveals the complexities of Black craft and tradition in America over the past 200 years. We’ve filmed over 3,000 feet of 16mm film so far and we’re looking forward to sharing it with you all sometime later this year.

2. Where the heck is Lot 43?

We’re often asked about our name. It comes from Land Lot #43 in Atlanta’s 14th district, a 100-acre plot of land donated by railroader and civic leader Lemuel P. Grant, to create Atlanta’s first public park. Grant donated the land in the spring of 1883 under the condition that it was to be “open and available free of charge to residents of any race, creed or color.”

The park has developed as the centerpiece of a neighborhood lined with brick streets and ornate victorian architecture, and of course - Willy B.’s old stomping ground - Zoo Atlanta. Dare you to join us for coffee on the train at the zoo.

Bumper sticker sighting

3. No Technocrane? No problem.

Our dolly shot for Switchyards.

Switchyards, founded in Atlanta and purveyors of some of the finest co-working spaces, tasked us with creating captivating motion elements for their social campaigns and website. We initially dreamed up a single-take shot where the camera skims 20 feet across a row of two-tops over laptops and books. We initially scrapped the idea – while there are many tools to achieve such a shot, they all fell far outside of our budget.

Our director of photography, Wil Hughes, was stubborn. He went to our friends over at Cinder and they spent and afternoon devising a…. contraption. With a little R&D and dozens of feet of speed rail, we brought the idea to life.

See more of our work for Switchyards here.

Our custom rig for floating the camera above the tables.

If you’re curious to learn more, check out our website to see some of our previous work and learn a bit more about us. As always, we look forward to the future with open arms. We’re excited to problem solve, ideate, and create beautiful work with new and old friends.