Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
the miracle
So we've performed the show three times now, and I think it's safe to say it's been a success. I mean, when words like "miraculous" and "impossible" and "perfect" are being thrown around by theater professionals like Peter Sham, you've got yourself a damn fine show. And although there is a bit of anxiety over whether the average audience member will even be able to comprehend the magnitude of what they see in Nosferatu, we've been assured that it's not lost on the people who matter.
These are exciting things to hear, especially considering the chaotic frenzy that was Nosferatu just hours before it opened on Thursday. I hesitate to even tell the story, but if we're going to brag, we might as well go all the way.
Because tech took longer than expected, rehearsals were extended to 6 hours each, with the final dress happening on Wednesday night. This was to be the first time running the show from beginning to end with all elements (lighting, costumes, makeup, sound, scenery, props, cameras, etc). However, when the cast gathered for pre-show notes, we were apprised of a shocking mistake. Somehow, every light cue for the entire show had been erased.
Every light cue. Gone. And we were opening tomorrow night.
We had spent a full, arduous, painstaking week setting the lighting for each individual shot. And now, with one night to go, the lighting team started over.
The following day, an emergency rehearsal was scheduled at 4PM, to accomplish what Wednesday's rehearsal did not - running the full show from beginning to end with all elements. But even in that run-through, set construction was still happening. Drills were running in the wings, lighting cues were being tweaked, and the final product of all our hard work remained an elusive mystery. Until finally, after a 20 minute break, the show opened to a record audience.
And yes, it was a miracle. Yes, it was impossible. It was flawless.
These are exciting things to hear, especially considering the chaotic frenzy that was Nosferatu just hours before it opened on Thursday. I hesitate to even tell the story, but if we're going to brag, we might as well go all the way.
Because tech took longer than expected, rehearsals were extended to 6 hours each, with the final dress happening on Wednesday night. This was to be the first time running the show from beginning to end with all elements (lighting, costumes, makeup, sound, scenery, props, cameras, etc). However, when the cast gathered for pre-show notes, we were apprised of a shocking mistake. Somehow, every light cue for the entire show had been erased.
Every light cue. Gone. And we were opening tomorrow night.
We had spent a full, arduous, painstaking week setting the lighting for each individual shot. And now, with one night to go, the lighting team started over.
The following day, an emergency rehearsal was scheduled at 4PM, to accomplish what Wednesday's rehearsal did not - running the full show from beginning to end with all elements. But even in that run-through, set construction was still happening. Drills were running in the wings, lighting cues were being tweaked, and the final product of all our hard work remained an elusive mystery. Until finally, after a 20 minute break, the show opened to a record audience.
And yes, it was a miracle. Yes, it was impossible. It was flawless.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Ok, so I am not a speedy typer and there has been so much I have wanted to share in this blog. I don't know where to begin so my thoughts are well, you know consumed with Nosfeeatu. Being a costume designer for this show has been quite a halloween trick-or-treat. Not sure what you're going to get with some unexpected setbacks but a great hodge podge of eyecandy all in one bag. It has been a fun challenge to get the certain costumes to match the movie and I'm very pleased with the results.
Enough on the costume talk, moving on..... I love Vampires and things that are spooky. I have long since been a fan of vamypres all the way back to when I was but a wee girl. One of the neighboorhood boys told me about vampires and said you could kill a vampyre with a wooden stake and bubble gum on the top. I think it's the bubblegum that's the most powerful part of the ritual.
I just notced the time and need to go be a student, more to come, hopefully soon. It's opening night I'm so excited. the show is to die for;)
Enough on the costume talk, moving on..... I love Vampires and things that are spooky. I have long since been a fan of vamypres all the way back to when I was but a wee girl. One of the neighboorhood boys told me about vampires and said you could kill a vampyre with a wooden stake and bubble gum on the top. I think it's the bubblegum that's the most powerful part of the ritual.
I just notced the time and need to go be a student, more to come, hopefully soon. It's opening night I'm so excited. the show is to die for;)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
we open tomorrow!
Last night, we haunted the Ragan Theater until exactly Midnight, working and re-working the intensely intricate motions of this show. Spike tape litters the stage like confetti on New Year's Eve. Electrical wires and power cords lay like vines, snaking up light trees and cameras. Every detail of every scene change was assigned, re-assigned, worked, and re-worked. A cast and crew of forty-or-so college students maintained an incredible level of concentration, while working costumes, makeup, and set changes for six nonstop hours. If we're not ready, it isn't because we're not busting our butts.
What impressed me the most last night was a short walk I took across the stage at around 11:00. We had been rehearsing furiously for 5 hours. At this point in a typical rehearsal, students would have checked out. But as I walked surreptitiously from station to station, I noticed that every single conversation - and there were at least ten - was totally focused on solving a specific problem on stage. Nearly everyone at nearly every moment of this production process has been intently, patiently, and urgently focusing on making Nosferatu work.
I'm literally awed by the work this cast and crew have accomplished.
So, barring some sort of catastrophic event this evening (when we run the whole show for the first time ever), we're good to go.
What impressed me the most last night was a short walk I took across the stage at around 11:00. We had been rehearsing furiously for 5 hours. At this point in a typical rehearsal, students would have checked out. But as I walked surreptitiously from station to station, I noticed that every single conversation - and there were at least ten - was totally focused on solving a specific problem on stage. Nearly everyone at nearly every moment of this production process has been intently, patiently, and urgently focusing on making Nosferatu work.
I'm literally awed by the work this cast and crew have accomplished.
So, barring some sort of catastrophic event this evening (when we run the whole show for the first time ever), we're good to go.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
We are in the final stages of rehearsal.
Lights are lighting. Sets are setting. Cameras are filming. Actors are acting. Cues are called. Costumes are clothing.
Next step ... Makeup is ... making?
By now, all of the actors who are applying their own makeup have seen Mandy for makeup training and have the necessary supplies. If not, shame on you.
Makeup should be pretty easy, and hopefully, everyone remembers what to do.
Step 1. Apply light base coat of 'blithe spirit' with sea sponge.
Step 2. Add dark circles around eyes and contour face using 'death purple'
Step 3. Deepen shadows using black
Step 4. Highlight if necessary.
Thats basically it.
Lights are lighting. Sets are setting. Cameras are filming. Actors are acting. Cues are called. Costumes are clothing.
Next step ... Makeup is ... making?
By now, all of the actors who are applying their own makeup have seen Mandy for makeup training and have the necessary supplies. If not, shame on you.
Makeup should be pretty easy, and hopefully, everyone remembers what to do.
Step 1. Apply light base coat of 'blithe spirit' with sea sponge.
Step 2. Add dark circles around eyes and contour face using 'death purple'
Step 3. Deepen shadows using black
Step 4. Highlight if necessary.
Thats basically it.
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