Beat Volume 3

Food has always been the backbone to every culture. Cinema is the window into those cultures. 

Three years ago, I had the pleasure to create my first food documentary and share the values and cultures of people around me. Having had worked in the hospitality industry for 10 years, I was able to connect to the characters through shared experiences and communicate my filmmaking objectives.

It pains me to hear people compliment the ease of use through movie streaming applications. I believe it is important to support local restaurants and cinema to continue this infrastructure of local community. Films & Fare is born from my experiences in film school, moving to Los Angeles to open restaurants, as well as doing some seriously bad acting. 

It’s funny how similar hospitality is to filmmaking. Half military, half circus. There are so many factors involved, so much money at stake, with a side of schmooze. 

It is what fuels me and what motivates me every day. Films & Fare.

-      FFC-C

Devil's Advocate of Films & Fare

Self-Prepared & Self-Streamed

Why would I ever pay to go see a movie when I can stream it for free? Why would I ever go to a restaurant when I can cook at home and not have to tip?

Movie theaters are incredible expensive and uncleanly. Restaurants are loud, dark and often unfriendly.

As a person who is often shy and socially awkward, I prefer to be in control of most things in life and cut out any possible curveballs. Netflix and Amazon have made my home a working movie theater with almost any film I could ever want. I have to imagine that filmmakers and actors are getting a cut of the money I spent with these companies so what is the big deal!?

I have also been watching a lot of Gordon Ramsey’s cooking classes on YouTube. I enjoy the ability to create dishes at my own pace and learn from my mistakes from a computer rather than having to send a dish back to an unfriendly waiter or waitress.

I recognize that this ease-of-use lifestyle has made me a bit of a shut in but times are tough these days. It is very hard on my wallet and my anxiety to go to a new place and have to learn the menu and ask questions in a loud space. I do admire people that can thrive in those environments, but I am not one. If it costs me 10 dollars to prepare my dinner versus 25 dollars plus tip…I’d much rather make my own dinner. Whenever I go to the theater, I typically spend 10-15 dollars on a movie ticket, plus 5-10 dollars on popcorn or snacks and that is if it’s not in 3D or a midnight showing.

I would like to support local restaurants and local cinemas but I feel as though the prices are too high. I have heard from friends that they have some type of regular deals where the more you go, the cheaper things get but life just seems too busy. Perhaps if I was an artist myself, or had more friends in the hospitality industry, I would feel more inclined to supporting these businesses, but for now, I enjoy spending my time in my own house that I know is clean, comfortable and reasonably priced.

- A Comfortable Citizen

About the Author - Fran Ford Coco-Cola

Fran Ford Coco-Cola has gathered 20 plus years of experience in both hospitality and the movie industry to create Films & Fare. Finding harmony in dinner & a movie, Coco-Cola aims to excite local communities that support small businesses & artists.

Whether it’s a night on the town, a short film or a quick snack, Coco-Cola brings local documentary storytelling experiences right to your fingertips. As an award-winning filmmaker & bartender, Fran dishes out the inside scoop on world cinema as well as world cuisine. 

The endless appetite will satisfy your thirst for knowledge and keep you hungry for this summer’s gut busting blockbusters.

-      Fran FCC

Beat Updated

The first experience I had marrying films & fare came three years ago when I made my first food documentary. “Food Haven” was a celebration of culture through the culinary excellence of New Haven, Connecticut. These artists that execute consistency on a daily basis became the superheroes of my world and I couldn’t wait to share their stories. I now feel a part of all of these restaurant families and feel obligated to spread the word of their work.

 To bring excitement to local communities of a new restaurant or a cult classic playing nearby, is what fuels my fire and creates what I believe to be the perfect matrimony.

-      Fran FCC

1st Draft

Pounds of Research 

Michelle May once said “Eat what you love”. I always found an affection to this quote both on the restaurant scene and the movie biz, which is hard to believe coming from categories with some of the most passion, cutthroat fans around. If you try to talk about pizza with people from New Haven or New York, they will tell defend their statement until they are blue in the face. Same goes with cult classics, 80’s action flicks, 90’s love stories, etc. I believe that the culture of food and movies, shape our lives whether we realize it or not.

I know when I walk into a restaurant and see a really cool looking dish or member of the wait staff, I will subconsciously try to recreate that coolness. This goes without saying for every coming of age film you’ve ever seen. 

Two years ago, when I would work till midnight, I made it a goal to watch a movie every single night after work. I have dedicated countless amounts of time to connecting to the world of Cinema through filmmakers from every genre.

Films & Fare is born from my experiences in film school, opening up restaurants on both the east and west coast, as well as doing some seriously bad acting. All of this passion and pursuit of greatness has led me to create this interactive concept of movies and restaurants and how they create this super culture within our daily lives.

FFC-C

Resume - Fran Ford Coco-Cola

I decided to create my resume to fit my passion for Films & Fare in the style of a movie poster. Fran Ford Coco-Cola is ready to inspire and excite your local community!

Pounds of Research 

Michelle May once said “Eat what you love”. I always found an affection to this quote both on the restaurant scene and the movie biz, which is hard to believe coming from categories with some of the most passion, cutthroat fans around. If you try to talk about pizza with people from New Haven or New York, they will tell defend their statement until they are blue in the face. Same goes with cult classics, 80’s action flicks, 90’s love stories, etc. I believe that the culture of food and movies, shape our lives whether we realize it or not.

I know when I walk into a restaurant and see a really cool looking dish or member of the wait staff, I will subconsciously try to recreate that coolness. This goes without saying for every coming of age film you’ve ever seen. 

Two years ago, when I would work till midnight, I made it a goal to watch a movie every single night after work. I have dedicated countless amounts of time to connecting to the world of Cinema through filmmakers from every genre.

Films & Fare is born from my experiences in film school, opening up restaurants on both the east and west coast, as well as doing some seriously bad acting. All of this passion and pursuit of greatness has led me to create this interactive concept of movies and restaurants and how they create this super culture within our daily lives.

FFC-C

Autobiography

I have always been in a love affair with the cinema and cuisine of the world. Constantly chasing the flavors of summer blockbusters and soft openings. After graduating film school, I decided to get my bartending license for times when the movie industry was slow and I wanted to pick up some extra cash. Little did I know that I would fall in love with both worlds, tearing apart any stability I may have had in my life.

Very different but oddly similar, both industries involved long sweaty work days, on your feet, trying to make a lot of people happy in a very little amount of time. Millions of dollars invested in any movie or restaurant you can think of, so much at stake, an adrenaline rush every single day or night. Celebrities, egos and friendships are only the tip of the iceberg of my early career making films and slinging drinks. Both creative outlets and both inspired me every day while being around creative people I supported as well.

My grandfather, an artist from the 60’s, had an incredible style in his work…One that I never appreciate at the time, but has grown into a cult following since his passing. Something about this concept gives me drive to create art and food that I enjoy and that I think challenges me to be better. I tend to thrive on people who second guess my documentaries or restaurant choices and I believe this stemmed from my grandfather distilling a trust in myself.

There is no better feeling than sitting down to a great meal followed by a great movie, or vice versa... and this is what fuels me and defines me.

Sincerely,

Fran Ford Coco-Cola

WRITING SAMPLE

I remember the first interview I ever watched with Director Harmony Korinewhere he said “I don’t make movies for the same reason that a lot of people do. I make films because I need to see them exist in a very specific way.” He went on to say “I never cared so much about making perfect sense. I wanted to make perfect nonsense.” This was the first time that I began to challenge the idea of a narrative story and explore the world of Arthouse Cinema and beyond.

Growing up, it was always challenging for me to address a crowd or tell a story with charisma and fluidity. It was many of Harmony’s films as well as the titles from World Cinema that lead me to realize that what’s most important in cinema is to tell the story that you want to tell.

Pursuing my passion of film, I went on to graduate film school at Quinnipiac University and work my way up through the ranks in the AD Department as a Production Assistant in Connecticut and New York. During this time, I created a love affair with the hospitality industry and food in general. After 5 years working freelance on Narrative films and bar tending in restaurants, I decide to try my luck in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles offered incredible opportunities in both film and hospitality that led me to the sets of a many award-winning films and television shows, while also opening my eyes to a city that has a whole lot of love for food and beverage culture. Every new restaurant would get a red-carpet opening, commercials, celebrities, the whole thing.

After I moved back to Connecticut, I wanted to bring that same type of energy into the New Haven area especially. I decided to stick to what I love and create Food Haven, a documentary film that celebrates the immense food culture of New Haven. This past summer, I directed another feature length documentary entitled Family Meal which also focuses on the hospitality industry and the balance of family and business.

If I could share any advice to filmmakers it would be to film what you love. Find what you are passionate about and create a way to bring the audience into the world that you adore so much. I always feel like you can tell if the director truly loves their subjects in films and I look forward to creating many more films in Connecticut!