A picture brings back the memory.
A movie brings back the experience. |
Performance
Videography
My
life-long interests in theatre and photography join forces to enable me to offer professional video recording
services to my San Diego theatre associates. This is the kind of
videography that I most enjoy!
Here are some ways in
which we can videograph your stage performance or any other
kind of live performance.
Single-taping shoot
This is the continuous recording of a single performance
which is then edited to remove obtrusive interruptions. For
instance, if a scene-change took 10 seconds on stage, I'll edit the
video so it glides easily from one scene to the next.
Deft camera work allows for
changes in perspective: some close-ups and medium shots in addition
to full-stage shots. You'll hardly be aware that it's a continuous
shot.
This single-taping shoot is the method by which most people
will want their performances recorded, and the most economical.
Multiple-taping shoot
If you want to end up with a video of a stage performance
that looks more like a movie, we can do three shoots of different
performances and edit that into a single "performance." The
camera will be placed at different angles for "over-the-shoulder"
shots and more close-ups and medium shots.
If the actors have done a few
performances of the piece, they will usually have settled into a
routine that facilitates easy editing of three different
performances. It's surprising how three different recordings
can be fit so seamlessly into one. And even if there are
differences, there are clever ways for those to be disguised in
editing.
Trying to
decide between a single-taping or multiple-taping? Here are some considerations to help you decide.
A single-taping is done "head-on" -- as much as
possible, toward the center of the stage with an attempt to
include total stage action. For actor or director
wanting a video that best retains the feel and flavor of
a stage performance, and for analysis of the overall
work, this may be what you want. (This center shot is
what serves as the master shot for a multiple-taping
shoot.)
A multiple-taping, with its two side-view tapings
which will include more close-ups, medium shots and
varying perspectives, results in a more movie-like video
that may make a more impressive show for friends and
relatives more attuned to television and movie viewing
than stage viewing.
Both
may be ordered, of course. If you have a
multiple-taping video done, it's quite simple and
relatively inexpensive, for me to also provide you with a
single-taping version. |
On-stage
shoot
Maybe it isn't practical for some
reason to record an actual performance. Or maybe you want to
make sure that we're catching an absolutely perfect performance.
Then you may want to do a shoot on-stage without an audience.
This allows for better control
of light, camera can be positioned more advantageously, and
additional takes can be done if the first one isn't just what
you want.
Basically this is an an "on-set
shoot" (see
MOVIE-MAKING
section), using the stage as the set.
Estimating
your cost
Cost is determined by a number of
factors, including the seating capacity of the theatre. I
discount heavily for smaller houses. For instance, if your house
seats no more than 99, you can get a single-taping shoot of a
90-minute performance for about $130. For a 500-seat house, it
would be around $195. Still very affordable!
Get in touch and we can very
quickly come up with the cost for your project. I'll work with
you to make it a reality.
If you need answers
that I haven't given you here, please let me know.
Michael
Thomas Tower
MTTvideo@aol.com
619-957-3396
(SAN DIEGO)
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