On Feb 17, 2009, at 11:31 , Wes Medlin wrote:
Bruce,
If you're going to shoot theatre, you have to get in good with the
techs. Get to know the lighting people, the prop people, the
costumers, everyone. Not only is it good manners, but you can get some
good shots backstage as well.
Also, you will find some genuinely fascinating people lurking in the
dark behind the scenes. I warn you though, it's very easy to get
sucked into this world and never emerge. ;-)
Bruce...
Theater folk are wonderful people, and can be a lot of fun to work
with and be around.
But beware!
You can be sucked into their magic, and end up spending a great deal
of time at the expense of your real life.
A few free gives of your photos is OK to set the tone of your
relationship with a theater, but don't give in to the lovely ingenue
who flutters her lashes and sweet talks you into a portfolio. ( i have)
If you have volunteer-itis you'll end up designing sound, or up a
rickety ladder aiming lights, or making sure the props are each in
their labeled circle on the prop table several times per show, or
painting the stage floor twice a week, or making donated materials
look like the interior of a european castle.
I'm not saying it isn't fun, nor a worthwhile endeavor. Just make sure
you have the time, and are able to say no when needed.
If I sound like a easy mark, it's because I was / am, and spent
inordinate amounts of time in the theater when I should have been out
catering to clients or doing my bookkeeping. I'm proud of the photos I
took, and still have the tapes and timeline sheets of sound
productions I've done. And a huge collection of sound effects, many
that I recorded myself (23 minutes of crackling fire, burbling brook,
distant bells, clock chimes). And many friends, most of whom have
moved on or out of the genre.
I blame this on my sister Ada, an actress, director, producer, author,
and set designer, who started it all! ;-) She has a masters, so I
must respect her requests!
Joseph McAllister
[email protected]
http://gallery.me.com/jomac
http://web.me.com/jomac/show.me/Blog/Blog.html
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