What Happened When Chicago’s Creative Community Laced up Its Skates Together

​The creative industries talk a lot about community. About the importance of togetherness, knowledge sharing, generosity and openness. Therefore, when there’s an opportunity to spotlight the best of a community coming together to unite around one big idea and shared goal, it’s important to do so. 

In this case, the idea in question belonged to commercial director Jessica Baston, who saw her short film and passion project, ‘Haute Wheels’, evolve from words on a page and pictures on a mood board into a fully-realised short film.

“I wanted to create a movement film that embraced extravagance and excess in the best possible way,” says Jess, discussing her motivation. “It was an opportunity to invite the filmmakers and artists who have inspired me into a world where imagination came first and limitations fell away – a project where everyone had permission to push further, dream bigger, and create without restraint.”

The film is a myriad of colour, texture, and decadence. Combining neon-hued, regency-style costumes, bold hair and makeup artistry, unmissable manicures, elaborate cakes, and choreographed roller skating, it’s a visual feast set against the backdrop of Chicago’s iconic Avalon Regal Theatre. 

^{'Haute Wheels'}

It was achieved thanks to a collective, community-driven effort of over 50 creatives from across Chicago, who spent their time building custom pieces, from nails and wigs, to grillz, cakes, and costumes, to bring the colourful spectacle to life. 

“I'm still blown away by it, and incredibly honoured by the generosity of Chicago's creative community,” says Jess. “I've made a few passion projects over the years, and I think they've developed a reputation for being a place where people can be expressive and make the kind of work they don't always get the chance to create.”

Jess notes that this wasn’t always the case, and that initially convincing people to volunteer their time and talent – “with no guarantee of a payoff” – was incredibly difficult. However, she affirms that whilst these projects ask a lot of those who get involved, she has always poured everything she has into them – a commitment that has helped to build trust and camaraderie over time. 

“I also think enthusiasm is contagious,” adds Jess. “I’m probably the most excited person in the room about every project, and that energy has a way of bringing people in. When people can genuinely feel how much you care, they want to be part of it. At the end of the day, I think we're all looking for something that inspires us – something worth rallying around – and I'm incredibly lucky that ‘Haute Wheels’ became that for so many talented people.”

Over two days on set – and countless additional days in prep – ‘Haute Wheels’ took flight, fuelled by an atmosphere which Jess describes as “pure joy”. 

^{Above, behind the scenes of 'Haute Wheels', created by the Camp Nitz team (Stephen Nitz & Sierra Campbell)}

“We had artists from so many different disciplines and backgrounds, all representing the incredible creative diversity of Chicago,” she says. “There was music playing all day, people cheering each other on, and this shared sense that we were building something special together.

“What I love most about these projects is that they remind all of us why we started creating in the first place,” she continues. “Everyone shows up because they genuinely want to be there, and that kind of energy is infectious. By the end of the shoot, we're all exhausted, but we also leave feeling creatively recharged.”

As well as representing the city’s thriving creative community in the present day, ’Haute Wheels’ speaks to Chicago’s creative and cultural past. Here, the decision to film inside the iconic Avalon Regal Theatre breathed life into the much-loved but currently closed landmark. 

“What an honour to film in the Regal,” says Jess. “The building holds such deep cultural and historical significance for Chicago. The community was stopping by throughout the day, many became emotional, sharing memories of performances they had seen there or family members who had visited decades before. 

“It was important to us that the production respected the community's connection to the building, so we dedicated two crew members to welcoming visitors and safely guiding them through the theatre while we filmed.”

^{Behind the scenes of 'Haute Wheels'}

Jess’ commercial background was instrumental in making ‘Haute Wheels’ come together. Highlighting that commercials teach you how to “build something achievable, communicate a vision clearly, and give your team the tools to execute it”, she explains that the foundation doesn't really change for film.

“The biggest difference is who you're creating for,” she emphasises. “On a commercial, the client ultimately makes the creative decisions. On a project like ‘Haute Wheels’, the artists and crew get to make those decisions together. We can chase the idea purely because it's exciting or beautiful, and that's incredibly freeing.”

It’s a creative endeavour which Jess believes makes people “better at our jobs”, offering an opportunity to experiment, test ideas and push boundaries without restrictions.

“That energy always finds its way back into the commercial work we do.”

‘Haute Wheels’ premiered on July 23rd to a crowd of cast, crew and peers in a celebration of art and community. “The premiere was special,” Jess recalls. “It was so rewarding to finally experience it with everyone who helped bring it to life. One of my favourite parts was seeing people from different parts of the production meet each other for the first time – the set team, post team, designers, performers, everyone. So many people poured themselves into this project, often without ever crossing paths.

“More than anything, it felt like a celebration of our community. It was a chance to look back on everything we created together and recognise every person who made ‘Haute Wheels’ possible.”

Reflecting on the project as a whole, Jess concludes that ‘Haute Wheels’ reminded her that filmmaking is really about community. 

“I want to keep making work that gives people the freedom to express themselves, pushes all of us creatively, and brings together artists who are excited to build something bigger than any one person could make alone.”

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