“Bird” music video shoot: Day 2
words by Pat Longstreth
photos by Stephanie Augello
(Day 2 of 5 on Jon Balcome’s thesis project. To find out more about the project go to http://jbalcome.com/thesis.php)
It was a scorcher on Sunday, August 9th. Heat should not usually be a concern for night shoots, but that was not the case in this large Victorian house that had been collecting and storing heat all day. The window unit air-conditioners were no match for the candles, 6K lights, and 20 people huddled in one room.
Jon actually lives on the second floor of this mansion at Lincoln and Gaston. With antique decor, original architecture, and candle lighting, it was the perfect fit for Jon’s “steampunk” theme. Scotty, the renter on the first floor who was gracious enough to let us use the space, pointed out the highlights to me, “see that wallpaper that’s falling off up there? It’s from 1866!”
Jon rented a generator to make sure we had enough power for everything, but lights and equipment still kept going out at the most inopportune times. It seemed like Murphy’s Law kicked in right while we were getting the perfect dolly shot.
All three actors on this shoot were very patient in their likely uncomfortable throw-back costumes. Rachel Middleton was a good sport again about her wild headpiece that kept sliding off the back of her head.
Rose and Stephanie heated up the spaghetti for everyone (there was a vegetarian option! All you had to do was nuke the Newman’s pasta sauce in the fridge. Sorry if that wasn’t clear). After eating in small, short shifts it was back to the set.
I left around 11pm, but most of the crew was there until 3am. The production design, lighting, directing, and acting all came together to create some very dramatic shots.
The next shoot is this Friday, August 13th. We’ll be out at Laurel Grove Cemetery. We can use all the help we can get, so if you want to help out and learn more about this film making process don’t be afraid to contact us… pat@newyorkisboring.com