The Big Finish

Yesterday was our video shoot for the Omaha Community Playhouse. The Playhouse is 85 years old and they wanted to do something special to commemorate all those years of community participation and creative expression. As the largest community theatre in the nation, the Playhouse has many talented individuals that they wanted to showcase, so a music video was the perfect way to do so. Lots of photos…

James Boggess conducting

Resident music director, James Boggess, wrote a special anthem for the video and Playhouse regulars were chosen to sing the main chorus. The song was pre-recorded at Ware House Productions in advance (previous post) of the shoot.

Playhouse chorus

The project began with a lot of discussion with, artistic director, Carl Beck and associate artistic director, Susan Baer Collens. We prepared shot breakdowns and sketches that became an animatic. We’ll have to post a side-by-side comparison with the final version and the animatic in a future post. Our production day began early as we started by picking up some extra equipment from Lights On (we love those guys). Set-up officially started at around 9:00, our on screen talent was due to arrive at 5:30. The shoot took place on the mainstage of the Playhouse (they have two). Gypsy is their current production, so the stage had a very nice minimal, brick backdrop and a spiral staircase. Risers and a grand piano were added for our shoot. Now for that piano… we asked for the black one, but I don’t think anyone was certain of the condition of the piano (it was stored in the basement). Like true professionals, realizing we needed some close-ups, Holly Flannery, the scenic artist painted it to perfection. Thank you! Our lights were augmented by Jim Othuse, Playhouse resident scenic and lighting designer, providing a very nice lighting set-up for the stage.

stage set-up before lighting

Matt rocking a mic

We began the shoot with Boggess as he sat at the piano. We had rigged a playback of the recorded CD so that we could keep time with the track that would eventually accompany the final edited video. Boggess was a joy to work with, providing some witty bravado to the set. We shot the piano footage on a dolly with some nice close-ups of Boggess’ hands playing.

Ryan Eberhart & Brian Priesman

Our soloists and duets then began to arrive. We filmed their parts with dolly shots as they were standing at mics (not Elvis mics ;) thank you John Gibilisco). Everybody did a great job and remembered all of the lyrics. The second half of the shoot was devoted to more Playhouse actors arriving for some b-roll footage of them interacting and greeting each other.

Playhouse group

Elaine Jabenis and friends

never a dull moment

After everyone had time to say hello, Boggess taught the group (about 60 people) the words to the finale of the song. We then had everybody group together on stage to film our big finish. We utilized a Genie (a lift) to get some great elevated shots of the group.

wide shot of group

Susan Baer Collins giving direction

Close-up Big Finish

Once we had our money shot, Carl and Susan broke down the big group into smaller groups that performed little vignettes (some in costume some not) to mix with the footage of the chorus singers. We had Peter Pan, a knight in armor, Eliza Doolittle, showgirls and even Groucho Marx himself.

Peter Pan

Groucho amongst showgirls

It was a fun shoot and we are so glad that we can help the Playhouse continue to thrive as an artistic outlet for so many. Great job everyone and thank you!

-Chad