Musical Theatre Meet

[beej]

Hi All,

I would like to offer an opportunity for a unique Sydney meet.

I'm the Musical Director for an upcoming musical called Children of Eden (show info / cast site). It's being run by the Blue Mountains Musical Society, a non-profit community group based in Springwood (Blue Mts: 75mins west of Syd).

With the two musicals they put on each year, the photography duties usually lie with a society member who volunteers their point-and-shoot capabilities. They usually turn out rather average, but sufficient enough to use.

Proposal:
Invite a handful of DSLRUsers (Max. of 10) to have complete access to a full-scale Dress Rehearsal. (Free roam around the centre, even on stage, even behind-the-scene areas such as the orchestra pit, back stage areas etc etc)

The Dress rehearsal is on Wednesday the 17th of May and will run roughly between 8pm - 10:30pm.

In return for this opportunity, let BMMS use selected images for archival purposes and publicity. The photographers will maintain complete ownership to the images and they will receive full credit in whatever medium they are used.

Basically, I want to give DSLRUsers a chance to practice in a field they normally don't often get a chance to, in return, helping a non-profit society have decent quality images to aid the production.

If there are any suggestions please let me know, i've personally never attended a meet, so your opinions are valuable to me.

Cheers,
- Aubtin

[Steffen]

That sounds like a terrific idea! Count me in.

Cheers
Steffen.

[Geoff]

Excellent idea! I will see if I can re-arrange my current work comittments so that I can come, will keep you posted but if it books out before I can change so be it. Very generous and creative offer!

[birddog114]

beej,
Great offer and thanks for inviting members on this site. Kudos!

Problem is 75 minutes drive from Sydney and it's on Wednesday evening, it's tough for us to drive down that way + overnight, back to work on Thursday. If it's on Friday or Saturday then there's an excellent meet.

[Steffen]

Problem is 75 minutes drive from Sydney and it's on Wednesday evening, it's tough for us to drive down that way + overnight, back to work on Thursday.

Luckily, Springwood is only just over 30 minutes from Toongabbie

Sometimes it's good to live half-way between beach and mountains...

Cheers
Steffen.

[Nosh]

Hi Aubtin,

I agree with birddog that a Friday or Saturday would be more convenient, but never-the-less, count me in.

Does the rehersal begin at 8:00 PM including the makeup and dressing or does it begin earlier? Also what is the street address in Springwood where you would be having the rehersal?

Cheers,
Nosh.

[losfp]

Damn! Springwood is close to me too, less than 30mins (I live just west of Blacktown).. Unfortunately at the moment I am working in QLD between Tues-Thurs so won't be able to attend.

Hope it goes well, and I'm looking forward to checking out the great images that will be produced

[Alpha_7]

Aubtin,

That is an awesome offer, I hope you are able to get some members up there as it would be a great shooting opportunity. BTW - who did the Eve / Naomi photo shoot ? Very cool.

[beej]

Thanks all for your comments.

Problem is 75 minutes drive from Sydney and it's on Wednesday evening, it's tough for us to drive down that way + overnight, back to work on Thursday. If it's on Friday or Saturday then there's an excellent meet.

I unfortunately don't set dates/times for rehearsals and shows, they are predetermined over a year in advance. With this show we only have the one dress rehearsal, and it landed on a wednesday night.

Apologies to people that will find it difficult to get there on a wed night.

Does the rehersal begin at 8:00 PM including the makeup and dressing or does it begin earlier? Also what is the street address in Springwood where you would be having the rehersal?

Being a dress rehearsal, we try our best to simulate a full performance run. So just like a performance night, the lights go down at 8pm and the show begins. The cast generally arrives at 6:30pm for show preperation. You are all most welcome to turn up earlier to get pre-show shots.

The address is Springwood Civic Centre, Macquarie Road Springwood.

[beej]

 BTW - who did the Eve / Naomi photo shoot ? Very cool.

Thanks Alpha_7, I did all the photography that's shown on the Cast Site, including the Eve photo shoot.

I should have posted my experience with that shoot on DSLRUsers, I learnt quite a lot.

[Alpha_7]

 BTW - who did the Eve / Naomi photo shoot ? Very cool.

Thanks Alpha_7, I did all the photography that's shown on the Cast Site, including the Eve photo shoot.

I should have posted my experience with that shoot on DSLRUsers, I learnt quite a lot.

Nice job, I really like the silhouette, I'm currently in negiotations to see if I can get a leave pass for this.. sounds like a lot of fun!

[Alpha_7]

Just thought I'd give this a bump and see who was coming, considering it etc ?

[beej]

So far all I know of is:

Steffen
Nosh
Geoff (??)
Alpha_7 (??)

[Alpha_7]

Bump 2 days to go.

Just if anyone is contemplating this, the cost of a return ticket is $18 bucks (from central). And there are trains running back to central after the show has finished.

Geoff - Do you know if you'll be coming ?

[Nosh]

Hi Beej,

Sorry I have to pull out at the last moment as I have just been booked this morning for an urgent product and packaging shoot with a delivery for Thursday evening.

Hope the others can make it.

Nosh.

[Alpha_7]

Sorry Beej,

Last minute issues have come up at work and at this rate I won't have them all done in time to make it up tomorrow night, I'll still play it by hear but I think the chances of me making it have dropped from 95% to about 20% Very sorry as I was really looking forward to it, even the train trip to the blue mountains seemed like fun.

[beej]

Ok people.

I need to know who is still interested in coming tommorrow night? (If any).

I know the day of the week is not the most ideal for people, but its very rare to find a dress rehearsal photo opportunity on a weekend date

So, please let me know ASAP if you're interested. Details are in the top post, and if you have any questions, please don't hestitate to ask via this thread or PM.

Cheers

[Steffen]

Hi beej,
I'm still ok to go, but seeing that I'd be the only one from this forum, it would make this not much of a meet, and make me feel a bit awkward, too. I've never done this kind of photography before and was hoping to learn from the other guys...

If we can rally a few more guys and gals I'll be in it. (I'm just such a wimp )

Cheers
Steffen.

[beej]

Ok, i'll see if we can open up our Preview performance which is this friday night for a photo meet.

Would this Friday be more ideal?

[Paul]

Hi Beej,
Friday night sounds good for me, I'll just need to check with my PA (Rachel)
to make sure were not double booked.
At this stage I'm 90% sure I can come, I assume it's still 8pm to 10.30pm?
Thanks for the opertunity to do this shoot, it should be fun!

[Alpha_7]

I'll see if I can reschedule as well, going to be pushing my luck with a early start the next day to for the Sydney harbour meet, but maybe I can do both

[losfp]

Oh dear, the same goes for me!!!

Keep us updated, I'm definitely interested (of course, all subject to She Who Must Be Obeyed At Most Times Unless I Think I Know Better At Which Point She Demonstrates Quite Violently Who's Boss)

[beej]

Good stuff!!

I checked, and friday night is now available for a photo meet.

The show starts 8pm (cast arrive at 6:30pm for prep), and should probably run till around 10:30pm.

Our first dress rehearsal ran relatively smoothly, so friday should be a straight run.

Cheers,
- beej

[Paul]

Beej,
Are we still on for tonight?
If so what time is best to arrive?
30mins before it starts, say 7.30pm?

[beej]

7:30pm would be best, a bit earlier would be ideal so you can scope the space well etc etc... But being a friday night, get there whenever you can

The address is Springwood Civic Centre, Macquarie Road Springwood

Parking is at the back of the hall.

If you are coming, can you please either ring me or sms me to let me know (who & when) as I won't be online much longer.

My mobile number is 0408882428, please call if there are any queries regarding tonight.

Look forward to meeting you all
- Aubtin

[Onyx]

Thanks for this shoot-meet Aubtin. What a wonderful performance it was last night. I had a blast spectating and shooting the show.

Here's one of a fiery redhead whom I thought was kinda cute.

D70, Nikkor 80-200@170mm, f/3.5, ISO-800.

I love the challenges of shooting plays/live performances. So dynamic, so low light. So stretched for time.

I'll figure out the logistics of getting the rest of the images to you, and hopefully soon.

/me heads back into lurking mode.

[Alpha_7]

Sorry I didn't make it Aubtin, sounds like it was a good night!

Onyx you seem to have a thang for redheads huh ? Nice shot!