The new “Lowry Theater Company” is a massive space. A huge theater, big stage, large prop and wardrobe rooms, and a large black box theater, left us in need of more lights. Luckily Prompter People came through. We were able to use several of their new LED lights, called Flolights. We use three LED 500’s and five LED 1000’s

These lights provide a broad and long throw without the heat. The barn doors allow us to control the spill of the lights as well. The first thing you will notice is that on close ups, we finally have the lights to properly accomplish 3-point lighting. You can see in episode 8 how that tool changes the look of the show. With all of our lights, we now have enough light to accomplish the 3 point lighting for multiple cameras. And we no longer run the risk of throwing the breakers! These lights use considerably less power than equivalent “hot lights.” In fact the lights consumer just one-tenth of the power.

If you notice the credits to Episode 8, you will see that Chris Faulkner is listed as the Director of Photography. Chris has been shooting with us since we moved to the new location and has been handling a lot of the gaffer duties during these shoots. I had a job that required me to travel to Germany for a week, and during that time, EXIT Stage Left had 2 shooting days. Chris took charge of the camera department during that time, and used the new LED lights to great success. Those two shooting days resulted in footage for all of one episode and most of the next one.

I resumed my duties as the Director of Photography a few weeks ago and have been delighted with the LED lights. These lights, when diffused with frost gel provide some extremely smooth and powerful light. The built in dimmers give us the infinite control of the light. The throw from these lights are several times more than fluorescent light fixtures as well, and are an excellent replacement for both Hot Lights and Fluorescent lights. This allows us to move the lights back from the actors and give them more space to move around. This is extremely important when we are doing the improv elements to the show.

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prModelDetail?storeId=11301&catalogId=13251&itemId=342748&modelNo=Content04162009020504436&surfModel=Content04162009020504436

Maxell has also announced that it will be creating P2 cards. http://sev.prnewswire.com/computer-electronics/20090420/NY0091020042009-1.html

I remember a new NAB’s ago that Hoodman also made such an announcement which never came to fruition.

We use Panasonic HVX-200’s and P2 cards for our web series, EXIT Stage Left

Gordy is relocating to London and this will be his last workshop in America for awhile.

San Francisco
January 10th.
9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. SOLD OUT

January 11th.
9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

*Five Spots Available*

This workshop will consist of 8 writers each submitting the First Act of a work in progress in advance. We will go over each work individually, discussing specifically how the first act functions in a screenplay as the beginning of a story. This discussion will include the challenges of organic exposition, the introduction of compelling characters, and how the first act establishes completely why an audience will invest emotionally in your movie.

Each writer will submit their act approximately one week in advance of the workshop and will receive a short written reaction from Gordy alongside their participation in the workshop. Writers will be encouraged to exchange written feedback as well.

3 Embarcadero Center Suite 420
San Francisco, CA 94111

REGISTER HERE: http://www.bluecatscreenplay.com/workshop

We are happy to announce the BlueCat Ten Pages Workshop is coming to San Francisco for one day.

The workshop will be held downtown at 3 Embarcadero Center.

The First Ten Pages Workshop consists of 10 writers each submitting ten pages of a work in progress in advance. We will go over each work individually, discussing the specific, unique challenges each writer is facing on the page. This discussion will include the technical aspects of description and dialogue, the depth and reality of the characters, and how the ten pages reflect where the entire story goes.

The intimate, focused interaction with fellow writers in the workshop will provide all with a greater understanding of the work that lies ahead on their screenplay, and more importantly, a detailed sense of how they might develop as writers themselves.

We look forward to meeting the BlueCat community in Northern California!

For information on upcoming workshops in London, Chicago or Rochester, go here.