Respect - trust - mindfulness

"Why don't you explain to me again for our enjoyment time how you came up with the idea for the film?" Jörg asked after the filming had been completed, the rough cut finished and we were all busy finalizing the new film.

The answer is actually simple, but it has a history: About twenty years ago, I had visited the Jörg Geiger manufactory as a photojournalist for the magazine "Essen & Trinken" and got to know Jörg as a young and passionate restaurateur. His enthusiasm for his parents' business, for meadow fruit and the products he was able to create from it made a lasting impression on me. And then there was his commitment to the region and its produce, which in the case of the "Champagner Bratbirne" even culminated in legal proceedings before the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe regarding the use of the term "variety".

Since then, I have been supporting the manufactory in its visual presentation. In many business and private conversations with Jörg Geiger, I got to know his visions, his quality standards and his Swabian entrepreneurial spirit. At the beginning of this year, we thought about what this year's corporate film could look like. I was very fascinated by the 2021 film, which dealt with the complex mechanisms of action between plants, fungi and bacteria in a very scientific way. However, an even more in-depth entry this year would have been more of a contribution to basic research and therefore only of interest to a small audience.

So a different approach: the development of the manufactory from a village inn to today's modern, internationally active business? Starting with the great-great-grandfather, whose signet ring is still the manufactory's logo today? Actually a good and interesting story with lots of background information: The "Lamm" in Schlat, the delicious brandies, the famous sparkling wine made from the "Champagner Bratbirne", the first "PriSeccos" in 2003, the constant expansion of the product range, the expansion of production capacity, the commitment to orchards... almost an ideal template for a classic advertising film that tells a Swabian success story.

But even more exciting than the pure history of development are the forces, the motivation, the trains of thought and ideas that made this path possible in the first place. And doesn't it make sense to simply let the people who made it all happen through their nature and actions have their say? Jörg, who is now intensively involved in the preservation of Swabian orchards as a feature of the landscape. Isabell in her closeness to nature. Martin, the explorer and discoverer of new worlds of taste. Jutta, whose warmth makes her one of the first people you meet when you enter the manufactory's salesroom. Anyone who spends time in the Manufaktur encounters many people who really have something to say. They all have a deep connection to this Swabian landscape and there is something very straightforward and refreshing about their open-mindedness and frankness in personal conversations.

And so the idea for a film about a manufactory was born, in which not the products are described, but the people who shape the character of the manufactory have their say: Jörg Geiger made contact with "his" filmmaker and director Andreas Geiger, and the two have worked together several times in recent years.

Andreas Geiger is a lecturer at the State Film Academy, lives in neighboring Grünbach and is neither related to the Schlater Geigers by blood or marriage, despite having the same name. Together, we went in search of what makes the manufactory so extraordinary. We were able to be present at larger team meetings, were out and about in the company, held one-to-one discussions and interviews, listened to employees and found out what is important to them both privately and professionally.

From this, we developed the structure and shooting schedule for the film, with Andreas Geiger responsible for the script, direction, editing and post-production. The cameraman David Finn and I took care of the film and photo camera, shot design, lighting and sound. During the production, the filming, the interviews and also during the staff party, we had many other wonderful encounters and conversations with the people who make up the small and dedicated team at Manufaktur. And so we now hope that our enthusiasm for the people, the products and the values of the Manufaktur will spread to you as you watch the film and enjoy the delicious products of the Manufaktur.