After we reviewed their storyboards and read through the stories they wanted to tell, based off interviews they had conducted with Bobby Warner, the firm’s namesake, we had the idea of expanding the stories and the production values of the campaign.

At Spacejunk, we’re always looking for opportunities to flex our creative muscles, budget or no budget. We offered Blackwell resources and time well above their means in exchange for some creative freedom. To their credit, they let us run with it, providing their own creativity and expertise along the way. Their knowledge of the Charleston area, their exuberant spirit, and invaluable gathering of locations and talent were critical to making the campaign a success.

We spent three days shooting in Charleston. We shot the people, the city, and encountered picturesque city streets and friendly smiles wherever we went. In no time at all, we had amassed hours of footage.

Back home in Columbus, I set about trying to tell some stories with the footage we had, and the interviews we shot with Bobby. I think they came out feeling authentic and honest. They don’t feel like your typical law firm spot.

Some technical details: We shot on the Sony XDCam EX-1, and EX-3, with Letus Lens adapters as well as the Canon 5D. We shot entirely in HD, entirely tapeless, and finished in 720p. The spots were edited in Apple’s Final Cut Pro. Color grading was executed using Red Giant’s Magic Bullet Looks. Sound was mixed and mastered using Apple’s Soundtrack Pro. Adobe After Effects was used for the logo build.

He reveals his story in five parts over the course of this week.

The longer I looked at the gunman in the passenger seat, the more nervous I became. His face showed little emotion. His eyes were dark, flat and lifeless.

I thought of my wife and family and was overcome with shame. An interview that seemed crucial hours earlier now seemed absurd and reckless. I had risked the lives of Tahir and Asad — as well as my own life. We reached a dry riverbed and the car stopped. “They’re going to kill us,” Tahir whispered. “They’re going to kill us.”

Tahir and Asad were ordered out of the car. Gunmen from a second vehicle began beating them with their rifle butts and led them away. I was told to get out of the car and take a few steps up a sand-covered hillside.

While one guard pointed his Kalashnikov at me, the other took my glasses, notebook, pen and camera. I was blindfolded, my hands tied behind my back. My heart raced. Sweat poured from my skin.

“Habarnigar,” I said, using a Dari word for journalist. “Salaam,” I said, using an Arabic expression for peace.

I waited for the sound of gunfire. I knew I might die but remained strangely calm.

You can read the first two installments here.

It’s simple, and yet, when done well, spectacularly delicious.

Pho Asian Noodle House sits somewhat awkwardly in a former Lane Avenue Taco Bell, but any fears of lingering fast food greasiness ends once the food hits the table.

Served not on plastic, but proper, even modern, white dishware, the food comes when it’s ready, rather than all at once. But lest you have visions of awkward dinner parties staring at their food while waiting for everyone to be served, it also comes out fast, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

There’s a wide selection of American-style Chinese dishes on the menu (Sesame Chicken, Moo Goo Gai Pan, Kung Pao Chicken), some Thai favorites (Pad Thai, Basil Chicken and Beef), and of course, assorted noodle bowls.

I ordered the roasted duck noodle soup, while my companions opted for the pho ga (a kind of Vietnamese style chicken noodle soup), and General Tso’s chicken.

The noodle bowls come accompanied with a plate of optional additions like fresh cilantro, bean sprouts, and lime wedges, which add a nice bit of complimentary textures and tastes.

While the broth in my soup was bursting with flavor, and the noodles were bountiful, the duck was outstanding. Succulent, fatty, and delicious. The bowls are quite large too. If you manage to finish, you’ll be pleasantly full.

Both my fellow eaters enjoyed their dishes as well, and everyone left happy.

And the food must be making converts: the place was very busy, nearly full.

We’ll definitely be back to Pho Asian Noodle House, the food is delicious, the service friendly and fast, and the prices are very reasonable ($5-8).