Posts in Category: Performing Arts

Casting Call – Females for a new Bernstein Music Video

I received the following e-mail about a Dallas casting call.  It may be worth checking out.  I don’t know anything about it other than the fact I received it from one of my networks.  The line that sparked my interest is the requirement for a current headshot.  If you plan to audition, please use a professional headshot photographer with a cinematic style as opposed to a traditional photographer (aka boring) nor a glamour photographer (aka cheesy).  No matter what you do though be sure to use a pro not a party cut out or a self-portrait with your smartphone.

Fifth Floor Media Group is Casting Females for a new Bernstein Music Video titled “Get It Girl”

If you have always wanted to be in a music video, now is your chance.

We are looking for attractive females to for this MTV/BET quality Hip Hop Music Video!

Here is a link to one of our previous music videos.

Females , All ethnicity

Ages 18-30. (Need ID)

DATE: Sat April 6 – 7 (Only Leading female role will require both days)

LOCATION: TBA

Some roles paid. Meals and a copy of the finished video for your reel will be provided.

*_TO SUBMIT:_*

1.Email: casting@fifthfloorpictures.com

2.Subject: MUSIC VIDEO

3.Attach a headshot or casual photo of you, please ensure that your face is CLEARLY VISIBLE!
Attach a separate picture of yourself in “club attire”.

4.Include your NAME, Age (if under 21), and phone number

Casting Call – Fiddler on the Roof

McKinney Summer Musicals has a casting call for their 2013 Production of Fiddler on the Roof. It’s this weekend from March 22-24.  There is a specific date, time and place for singers, dancers, actors, etc.  For more information, you get a copy of the flyer by going to this link.  Relax and above all good luck!

How I got the Shot? A Little Extra Effort

Winter Concert photographed by Alex Cena

Winter Concert photographed by Alex Cena

I photograph a winter concert at a small private school in Summit, NJ each year.  One of the images the school needs is a wide-angle shot of the show.  In many years past, I have generally done this by standing on a platform at the very back of the venue.  It was a nice location which provided me with a nice panoramic view of the entire event.  The image from the back usually came out pretty well and you can see the star at the back as well as faintly make out the singers.  However, you can never see the orchestra.

How I Got the Shot? Remote Camera

For the last several years, I have had the privilege of photographing The Star, which is a winter concert performed by the Upper School students at Kent Place in Summit, NJ.  It is always a very stressful event for me because the event is lit only by some Christmas trees, orchestra lights and students with candles in hand.  Moreover, there is quite a bit going on throughout the performance  and the images have to be ready by the next morning.  One of my strategies for covering multiple angles at the same time is to utilize a camera mounted at one location that I can fire remotely as I move throughout the venue with another camera in my hand.

Winter Concert at Kent Place School

The image above was shot with a 15mm/2.8 fisheye lens attached to a Canon 1Ds Mark III that was mounted using a Bogen magic arm and super clamped to a curtain rod up in the ceiling of the fieldhouse.  I released the shutter using a Pocket Wizard MultiMax and trigger assembly.  I started setting up several hours prior to the start of the performance.

Preparing My Remote Camera Above the Orchestra

First, I borrowed a 13ft step-ladder from maintenance so that I can reach the curtain rod.  I attached the camera to the rod using the super clamp and magic arm.  Most important, I ran a safety cable through both the magic arm and the clamp  then wrapped the safety cable around the rod.  Then I attached the camera to the magic arm and used a separate safety cable to secure the camera to the rod.  It is always best to use multiple safety cables to the entire set-up for extra piece of mind. Obviously, the curtain rod was my single point of failure but given the size and weight of the curtains it had to hold up, my camera set-up should not be an issue.

Since the curtain rod moved every time I touched it or the camera, the most difficult part of the set-up was aiming the camera.  This is one of those times I am glad modern DSLRs now have the capability to display the viewfinder using the LCD.
It took several attempts to get the composition close to what I wanted.  I say close because it was really hard to tell exactly how the  camera was aimed because even after several minutes, the rod was still swaying a bit.  I tried to leave as much room as I can but even then, I just had enough space to include the lit star at the top and the conductor at the bottom.  If I was off by just a bit, I would lose one or the other so I erred on the side of missing the conductor because I thought it was more important to get the star in the composition.
I set the camera to aperture priority, ISO 1600 at f/2.8.  I finished setting up at about 4pm then turned the camera and Pocket Wizard on at 6pm, but in reality I would’ve left the entire system operational from the start.  I also, set the camera to bracket my shots plus or minus one step.  In retrospect I should have bracketed by two stops after setting the EV to minus a half.
I was not able to retrieve my camera until the middle of the next day because maintenance was not going to be able to bring the ladder back for me until the next day.  To my surprise, I was able to use the set-up for the middle school performance the next morning and when I retrieved my camera, it still had plenty of battery life in the camera and the wireless receiver.
Each year I do set up a camera that I can trigger remotely.  There is just too much to capture with one camera and I cannot always move during the performance.  Typically, I set it up at the end of the center aisle so I can get a level view of the entire performance.  The images always come out beautiful.  This time I wanted to make sure the orchestra was just as visible as all the singers.  The extra effort I think paid off, but just in case there was a camera failure with my remote, I took one from the back as well.
I hope you find this useful and give it a try as well.  If you have any questions or comments, please fire away and I will do my best to respond.

Better to Have A Camera than Not

Sometimes it is better to have a camera even if it is just a point and shoot than to not have one.  Last night, my wife and I went to see the last performance of the Majesty of the British Empire at Woodloch Pines Resort, which is an all inclusive family destination resort in the heart of the Poconos.  We were accompanied by our friends Jon and Sue as well as their daughter Grace who own a vacation home in Greely, PA.  Since my friends moved here from England some time ago, I thought they might enjoy a show that pays tribute to United Kingdom’s vast empire which was so huge that years ago, the monarchy could claim that the sun never sets on the British Empire.

The show was fantastic and we enjoyed it quite a bit and were laughing so hard our bellies ached.  The singing was spectacular, the choreography and music spot on.  It was a very well produced and directed show worthy of a spot on Broadway in New York City.   I have photographed many performances in my time and I usually carry a boat load of DSLR equipment to capture not only the moment but the mood and drama should be felt by those enjoying my images.   Fortunately for me, I was on a date with my beloved wife Liz of more than two decades.  Unfortunately, I did not have the right equipment I needed to perfectly capture the grandeur of this show as it would’ve been rude to bring my work gear on a date.  I would go back but this is the last performance.

Luckily, I at least had my Leica D-Lux 5 point and shoot in my pocket and I was at least able to capture a few images to document these memories.  I left it in Aperture Priority and I disabled the flash, which I think destroys the lighting the show director spent so much time and effort creating for the audience.   If you ever plan to take photos at performances do yourself and others a favor.  Disable the flash.  You will create much better images and you will not ruin the show for others who may distracted by the artifical light you create.  Here are some sample images:

  • Majesty of the British Empire
  • Majesty of the British Empire
  • Majesty of the British Empire
  • Majesty of the British Empire
  • Majesty of the British Empire
  • Majesty of the British Empire
  • Majesty of the British Empire
  • Majesty of the British Empire
  • Majesty of the British Empire
  • Majesty of the British Empire
  • Majesty of the British Empire
  • Majesty of the British Empire

We all agreed we would be back to the resort, which is only 90 miles from either New York City or Philadelphia, to enjoy another show as well as the pre-show dinner which we also thoroughly enjoyed.  Not only was it extremely tasty, but quite filling as well.  I had the beef tenderloin while my wife had the pork chops.  For $55 per person, we were treated to a four course meal, dancing, the musical performance, a comedy show and beautiful music afterwards.  That’s all I have to say about this great value package as that story is for another time.  I will say this though.  I will see the next show twice.  Once on a date night with Liz and another time as a photographer complete with my Canon EOS Mark IV and Leica M9.  More importantly, I suggest you visit Woodloch Pines yourself and enjoy all they have to offer throughout the year.  You will be hooked for life and will be destined to return year after year as more than 80% of the guests there do.