WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE 'LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION'

posted by Michael Chihak

What follows is the text of an e-mail memo from cameraman Steve Riggs to three other members of the crew going to Phoenix today for our interview with Arizona Gov, Jan Brewer for Friday's Arizona Week.

The other crew members are cameraman Bob Lindberg and grips/audio specialists Ricardo Johnson and Dominick de Leon.

This shoot is made a bit more complicated by the short setup time we are being allowed. Generally, we ask for a minimum of one hour; in this case, we are expecting no more than 30 minutes.

Steve Riggs' e-mail:

Ready for an adventure?!

Please see the attached diagram for our interview with the Governor tomorrow. Let's meet at 11:30am. Departure 1pm from the loading dock.

The day's schedule 11:30am - Crew arrival 1pm - Departure for Phoenix 3pm - Arrival at the Governors Building 3:30pm - Through security, up to 9th floor 4pm - Doors open, begin setup. Note: There is a meeting before we can get inside. If it runs long, we have less time. 4:30pm - Interview with Governor Brewer 7:00 - 8:30pm - arrive back in Tucson, store gear

Time will be of the essence. Here are our responsibilities. The number signifies level of importance. Once you finish 1, then you go to 2, etc.

Ricardo
1 - all Audio (microphones, xlr cables run to camera locations) 2 - run stingers to light locations (see diagram) 3 - backlights (for Governor/Michael) 4 - monitors

Dominic 1 - 2K Key light (see diagram) 2 - Tota Fill light (see diagram) 3 - Omni backdrop lights (flag/snoot, see diagram) 4 - backlights

Bob 1 - Chihak camera 2 - Omni snoot background light 3 - Finalize shot with lights set 4 - backlight

Steve 1 - Governor camera 2 - Omni flag background light 3 - Finalize shot with lights set 4 - backlight

Our main focus will be to get cameras, audio and the 2K key light up and the Tota fill light up if nothing else. We can shoot an interview with this basic setup. These lights will be plenty of light so that if we can't get the back light (not background) up, we will be in good shape.

You know what we are up against to get through security. Let's send 2 of us through to receive the gear, 2 of us to put the gear through. After security, either downstairs or while we wait upstairs, let's build the Tota-fill light that will be on the "Small" Chimera. That way we can have that built, plop it down as soon as we get in and then worry about getting power to it after the 2K key light is up. Let's stage all gear towards the farthest window corner (see diagram).

That is about it for now. We can discuss more on the ride up. Until tomorrow at 11:30 am to get the fun started. Please have a good evening. Dream of your responsibilities.

We will have an awesome shoot. As always, respect, professionalism, work quickly and efficiently. See you all at 11:30 am.

Steve