Thursday, June 19, 2008

Video Tape

We spent the first three days of this week locked in a theater performing our show and routines from the show over and over and over again for the camera as we put together video footage for promotional uses as well as for other marketing uses.
OK. We weren't locked. We did however perform our acts a billion-kazillion times.
We filmed our acts several times without and audience or music and then on the last day we filmed the whole thing with a live audience. No I sit in the editing room and have to piece it all together.
Why not just film a live show and leave it like that? Well, live shows have complications that arise. For example, a volunteer from the audience may be eager to come up but then freezes in front of the crowd. A prop could loose a wheel, a curtain could open too soon or too late. A performer could stumble. Remember I work with children and animals...anything can happen. In a live show these faux pas can be glossed over or even cute. But through the cold eye of the camera lens they stand out and look bad. Video can't translate the essence of a performance as well as a live show. In fact, that has been our problem over the years. We have a 90% rebook rate, and rarely loose an audience member due to boredom. On top of that we get awesome responses from crowds during shows....but past video just doesn't capture the essence or spirit of the show performed. So, by controlling the edits and shooting a little better we are able to show potential bookers something the more closely resembles the spirit of our show.

Check out our video page www.kentfamilymagiccircus.com/video.htm over the next few weeks to see clips from the filming.

I should like to mention that the grueling schedule of filming, especially if there are a bunch of takes can wear out even the strongest person...the little ones (Victor JR, Princess Amelia and Princess Olivia) held up like a seasoned pro.

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