Passion 2006
We started filming last night for this year's edition of our church's biannual Passion Play, and as was the case two years ago, MLB and I are working behind the scenes as part of the video crew. She's the technical director (aka "the switcher") and I'm operating a camera.
We're taking a new approach to the filming this year. Instead of running through (or trying to run through) the whole production each rehearsal, we're instead focusing on just one or two scenes each night. Once we've got enough usable tape in the can, the rehearsal is wrapped. This should, theoretically, prevent the kind of marathon, life-sucking ordeals we endured two years ago. We made it through one scene last night in about two hours. It was a pretty complex scene and we had the usual amount of startup technical glitches and blocking challenges, so we ought to get faster as we move along.
As before, we're using four stationary cameras and one boom-mounted camera for the rehearsals. During the actual presentations, additional footage will be captured via at least one shoulder-mounted camera.
As usual, while the basic story remains the same -- some plots simply can't be improved on, you know -- some of the elements we've picked up for this year's presentation are new. For example, God Himself appears in a cameo role. (It's non-speaking; I'm pretty sure we couldn't afford union scale for Sovereign Ruler of the Universe.) This has, of course, given rise to all sorts of tech crew headset hilarity, especially directed to the camera operator who has the responsibility of capturing God on film ("Are you sure you're focused on God?"; "It's too dark; I can't see God!" And so on. We crack us up.)
MLB and I will be working three more rehearsals, then we'll hand over the reins to the second crew (another improvement in the process) which will work the remaining four rehearsals.
The end result of all of this will be a presentation that will be seen live by several thousand local folks, and the production of a DVD that can be purchased by anyone interested in this interpretation of The Greatest Story Ever Told.
Are you going to post a shot of the guy playing God?
Nah, can't do it. Something about residuals. Guy's got a lot of stroke with the unions, you know? ;-)
Actually, the character is robed and hooded in white (as you might guess) and brightly lit -- almost overexposed on camera -- and we've got a little fog machine going to further obscure things. The idea is that God will not be viewed as much as sensed. Although how that will actually translate to film remains to be seen. He wasn't all that ephemeral last night during rehearsal.
Posted by: Eric at March 16, 2006 05:34 PMAs usual, while the basic story remains the same -- some plots simply can't be improved on, you know --
:)
("Are you sure you're focused on God?"; "It's too dark; I can't see God!" And so on. We crack us up.)
Haha! This paragraph is the funniest thing I've read this morning.
I guess you're doing God (cough) the way they filmed God in The Prince of Egypt. I thought that movie captured God very well.
Posted by: ern at March 16, 2006 10:16 PMYes, laugh out loud funny! I also liked "He wasn't all that ephemeral last night." Imagine the laugh God must be having, fog machines and all. :-)
Will the DVD be available in your Gazette merchandise mart after it is released?
Posted by: Gwynne at March 16, 2006 11:50 PMErn, I've never seen Prince of Egypt so I can't help with the comparison. Regardless, God has only a bit part in this presentation. Well...um, you know what I mean.
Will the DVD be available in your Gazette merchandise mart after it is released?
Nope; that appears to be a marketing Bermuda Triangle, judging by actual Gazette merch sales (I'm my best customer, sad to say.) But they will be available via our church's website (details to follow...eventually).
Posted by: Eric at March 17, 2006 09:02 AMOkay, just for that, I went and did a little shopping. But I'll look forward to the release of the DVD on your church website. I want to see this God of which you speak. ;-)
Posted by: Gwynne at March 17, 2006 10:14 AMGwynne, thanks for the support. The huge profit I make on such sales has already been spent...via an order of Gazette merchandise for Blogathon prizes! (Talk about a vicious circle.
I want to see this God of which you speak.
That has a very Old Testament ring to it. Or, Yul Brynnerish. ;-)
Posted by: Eric at March 17, 2006 11:10 AMToday at the Junior League shoot, there was a strangely familiar bearded man competing with the rest of us....I believe he may have recently grown the beard to appear in the Passion Play. How apropos that he was shooting, I believe he has played one of the blind men healed by Jesus in that play...Bartimaeus, would it be?
So....can you name that shooter?
Posted by: Janie at March 18, 2006 07:09 PMI'm still stuck on "Junior League shoot." Aren't you gals supposed to be home baking cookies? ;-)
I'm just kidding of course, Janie, please don't shoot!
Posted by: Gwynne at March 19, 2006 11:19 PMJanie, I have no idea who the shooter is. Since we're videoing the play one scene at a time, I haven't yet seen the part where Bartimaeus appears, and I don't know who's playing him.
Junior League: It's not just for cookies anymore!
Welcome to west Texas, Gwynne! ;-)
Posted by: Eric at March 20, 2006 08:32 AMGwynne - Somehow I don't, haven't, and never will fit into the Junior League scheme of things...I think it's 'cause I have to wear red coveralls, steel toe boots and hardhat right alongside the husbands of the Junior Leaguers. When those said husbands are giving me a hard time, my husband often brings up my great (I wish!) shooting ability.
The Junior League shoot was one of their annual fundraisers, and I shot with some of my customers. At the same time, I did help the Clayshoot Chairwoman (who also is an oilfield engineer who has to wear steel toed boots and hardhat!) with some of the more intricate details of event planning (as well as cookie sales) and am glad to report that the Junior League of Midland had a banner shoot this year.
Eric...I don't know if the bearded man is playing Bartimaeus, but he has in the past. If you discover who the bearded man is, I'll buy you and your MLB a Tazo Chai soy no water and invite my friend Val to join us.
That's your quiz for today!
What, no guesses? And I even gave you hints....
Posted by: Janie at March 21, 2006 01:51 PMOh, sorry...I've been distracted. Hmm. I'd say it must be one of them Sparks boys. I always get 'em confused; there's just so dang many of 'em. ;-)
Posted by: Eric at March 21, 2006 01:55 PMWell, dang if you didn't drill that spraberry well all the way to TD and hit a gusher!
Name the date and time and Steve and I'll buy y'all those tazo chai soy no waters and invite Jeff and Val to join us!
Posted by: Janie at March 21, 2006 08:58 PMAnd hats off to Don and Gwen for their three stellar boys. Though, come to think of it, there were 6 Snelson boys, so hats off to Leon and Bonnie as well!
Posted by: Janie at March 21, 2006 09:02 PMSix Snelsons?! Yikes. Wasn't there a warning in the book of Revelation about that? ;-)
Or maybe I'm getting that mixed up with tazo chai soy no waters...
Posted by: Eric at March 21, 2006 09:46 PM***snicker***
I ate lunch w/ J Sparks yesterday and told him I threw you a quiz (something you so frequently and eloquently drum beat drum beat double drum beat do) and that it was about him....and he kind of gave me that deer in the headlights look...we have to get more people blog perusal!
Posted by: Janie at March 23, 2006 08:03 PMJanie, Jeff's probably googling his name right now trying to find out what you were referring to. ;-)
Posted by: Eric at March 24, 2006 02:17 PMAbout the publisher
Random Abbye photos...
Angry Clouds
I am Curious Llama
Ganglia & Brain Cloud
Cabeza del Diablo
Aurora Moreorless
Be careful Who you plagiarize
Coming Attractions
All Thorns, All the Time
Hitchin' a Ride
"...the flower fades..."
Finding meaning in random events
Random Thursday: The Thanksgiving Edition
A Matter of Perception
Reason #21 to wear shoes in West Texas
The Neighborhood:
West Texas Blogs:
[Midland unless otherwise indicated]
Other Texas Blogs:
The Business:
The Church:
The World:
Wow! It's been two years already! ;-)
I've gotta ask. Are you going to post a shot of the guy playing God?
Posted by: Mr. Freen at March 16, 2006 05:23 PM