Rockfest

I went on Rockfest during the summer and I wrote this at the beginning of the semester. It's a little late, but I'm finally going to post it.



And so it begins
Rock Fest, July 2007

Mountain Rock Music Festival, now that was an experience. To be quite honest I was feeling extremely nervous to go on my first gig. I felt like I didn’t know anything. The only experience I’ve ever had running a camera was for Com 261 and all of our projects were scripted and our cameras were on tripods. None of it was ever live. Not only was I feeling inexperienced, but I was feeling a little out of the loop. I didn’t know a single person going on the gig. Since I live fairly close to Michigan, I was asked to drive separately in order to save some room in the van coming from Purdue. So I was about to work with a whole bunch of people who have both taken Bill’s class and know each other pretty well. Can you see how that would seem pretty daunting? Besides those thoughts, I kept thinking about how lucky I was to even be able to do this gig. I learn better hands-on anyway, so this was a great experience.

As it turns out, I didn’t really have to be nervous to meet the other interns. Everyone was really nice and helpful. The next morning after I arrived we started right away with load in. I felt a little bit useless at this point. I didn’t know how to set up anything and a lot of the equipment is too heavy for me to lift. I did my best to help despite my lack of strength. I successfully taped up some boxes and carried a television, but mostly I just observed everybody else.

The next day was when I really started learning. I was pretty amazed at everything I saw. I looked at all the cables and cords running to the truck and I couldn’t believe that someone actually understands how all of it works. There were all these monitors, buttons, and knobs. I didn’t have a clue what any of them did. Everyone kept talking about the band Da Yoopers and how they weren’t really excited about them. This band was going to play twice, so I thought maybe that would be a good place to start. I asked Bill if it would be okay if I watched the first performance and ran a camera for the second performance. So that’s what I did. Aaron Hebda had to show me exactly what to do. I didn’t even know how to hold the camera up on my shoulder or where to put my hands, but he gave me a quick lesson. He showed me where the mic was and how to use the zoom and focus and told me that I needed to tuck the triax cable into a belt loop. Well, I was all set up and ready to go, but I didn’t have any idea what to do. I was given a lot of directions during the show, but I didn’t know what they meant. “Dutch”? “Lose it off the neck”? What does that mean? I think I missed terminology 101. I was able to run a handheld for a few more bands that day and each time I learned something new. More than anything I remember being surprised at how sore I was at the end of the day. Now I get why we stretch before working; it helps. That night Chicago was the headliner and I went out with Russ, one of the other interns and we just watched them rock out for the rest of the evening. All in all, it was a pretty great day.

The second day I learned a few more things. One of which was coiling. Katie Worden took me and two other of the new interns and made us coil cables for a while. Katie also took us to the front of house camera and showed us how to set it up. After that, each time we set it up and tore it down I went back there to help. There is a lot to remember and it was difficult because we had to tear it down so quickly in order to get out of the way for everyone else, like the audio guys. I got to run the front of house camera for one band that day and it was my first experience with a long lens camera.
Day two and day three kind of blend together because I think I did about the same thing both days. I don’t remember which day it was, but I got to run a handheld for Third Eye Blind. Up to this point I had done battle of the bands winners and smaller bands that are lesser known and the “A team,” as we called them, did the headliners. I was not at all expecting to get to work for Third Eye Blind because they are well known and it makes more sense to have a more experienced person shoot them. I think I’ll always remember that moment. I was over on stage left with the base player. I remember thinking that it went so quickly. It seems like they ended right after they began. It was a very surreal moment for me. I’m not even a huge fan of theirs, but I guess I never really thought I’d ever get to do something like that. Oh, in addition to that, I shaded for Styx. I can’t say that it was quite as exciting, but it was good to sit in the truck and have a chance to listen to the director and to watch the four monitors and get a better feel for how things are done from there. And Styx was amazing to watch by the way.

And then there was the fourth day. Oh what a day. It started out like the other days, I ran both the handheld and long lens and played hackey sack when I wasn’t working. Then it happened. Bill made me direct. Since this was my only gig that summer he felt that it would be good for me to direct a couple of songs for Deep Purple so I could experience all parts of the gig. What? I can’t direct!!! I thought I was going to throw up. This was not at all expected. I was told that as long as I hit the button on beat, I would be fine. I think I may have had a panic attack during it and I wanted to leave after two songs, but they made me stick around for one more. I felt really bad for the camera operators because they had to be really patient with me. I was calling the shots really slowly and I didn’t give them any direction at all. I basically let them choose their shots and then just told them when they’d be on. I did keep on beat though. I guess I can give myself credit for that. After I was done with that, I had to take a walk because my nerves were getting to me and I was shaking. I think someday I’ll try it again, but I do not think I’m ready to try that again any time soon. It was probably good for me because it gave me an appreciation for directors and what they do, but I still don’t feel ready to do it again.

Over all I feel like I was pretty lucky to have gotten to go on that gig. I have a lot to learn yet, but now when I’m sitting in class I understand the lectures better because I can actually visualize in my head what’s being talked about. I got to hang out with some pretty amazing people and I gained a little experience.

Delaware and Jersey

Last week/weekend I was with the crew that went to Delaware to get a Pete's Big Tv's warehouse in shape for Springsteen's upcoming tour. I was planning to spend 4 long days repairing cables, but was treated to a trip to a music video shoot. The cameras on the shoot was by far the coolest part of the trip. The DP was able to use lenses for 35mm film cameras on a HD camera. There was a "converter" involved that allowed the HD's OHB film off of spinning ground glass, creating the "film" look. They looked amazing. Also, being able to sit back and watch a music video shoot will be beneficial for when we are placed to work in that environment. I am looking forward to going back to Delaware and repairing a lot of more cable.

Ryan Weaver
Senior, Intern

Delaware

The past week has been a great learning experience. For class we were asked by Pete's Big TV's, one of the largest video companies in the world to fly to Delaware wednesday night through sunday night and help them rearrange their wearhouse and help them prep for their biggest tour, Bruce Springstein.

We arrived wednesday and got aquainted. Thursday, halfway into our work we recieved a call that a video needed to be shot in New Jersey for Bruce's wife. We dropped what we were doing and headed up to help. It was awesome seeing a more film related shoot. One part that stood out was that the Assistant Director, being used to film, was worried about us running tape while the band was jamming between takes. To this, Bill Callison replied, "It's just tape." You don't have to develop it, its not that expensive and you just have to throw it in a deck and digatize, why not run tape, you might find that one amazing shot you werent able to find otherwise.

Saturday and Sunday we were back in Delaware working on fixing and sorting cables and got a lot done. All were happy with the amount we had completed and we proceded to fly home. Im very happy with the experience and would be honoured to go again.

-Cory Mascari, Senior - Intern

Rushed by adrenaline and Red Bull, soaked from head to toe, loading out and coiling cable in the hardest rain I've ever seen with the most talented student video crew in the nation...

All I could think about was asking my friends back home....What did YOU do on YOUR summer vacation?

I am so blessed, honored and mostly PROUD to be a Film and Video Student at Purdue University.

-Tommy Beardmore, Senior - Intern

Steadi Elvis High

This past weekend the last ever Live Elvis show took place in Memphis, TN at the FedEx Forum on the 30th anniversary of his death. The show consisted of an 8pm act I & II set as well as a midnight set. Both shows sold out. This was my first gig experience where I wasn't approached as one of Bill's students. Although I was there to refine my steadicam skills as a learning opportunity, I was brought onto the gig under the guise of a professional steadicam (we used a glidecam product) operator. This meaning that there was even more pressure than normal for me to conduct myself in the most professional of manner and execute my job with extreme precision and quality to ensure that the client was satisfied.
My main performance piece was to follow Prescilla Presley down the aisles of the main floor arena as she stopped to talk to people and spoke about Elvis and his family. It was a real trial by fire to be able to maintain my shot with people bumping and tripping me the entire way from front of house to the stage. I literally had only inches to correct my footing and find my way (while walking backwards) to the stage. The rest of my job description included getting reaction shots from the crowd during the concert and prior to the concert gathering material that captured the "Buzz" of the event. This event allowed me to be both apart of history and allow me to continue to practice my craft of operating a steadicam.

-Zack Clevenger

Awesome summer

I know this is kind of late, but I just wanted to say the experience I had this summer was just amazing. I was only able to go on the CMA fest gig but I learned so much in just one week and I met so many cool people. I watched the CMA fest when it was on TV and it looked so cool to see our work on national television. During this gig I became much more comfortable running the camera and learned a lot about the engineering part in the control truck. Thanks to Bill and Katie for letting me run the camera at the LP field, it was definitely the biggest stage Ive ever ran camera for and it was amazing, especially seeing some of my shots for Martina on ABC. I am really grateful for the opportunity I had to go on something like this. I had an awesome time this summer and am looking forward to working with all of you guys during the school year.

Val Arias
Purdue Intern

Buster Keaton The General at Long Center, Friday, August 31

FYI, from Professor Felluga

BL

***************************************************************************
Hello all,

I write to let you know of a Purdue Liberal Arts Community Engagement event at the Long Center on Friday, August 31st, 2007. At 8pm on that night, Lance Duerfahrd and I will be screening Buster Keaton's _The General_. Ken Double will be accompanying the film on the Long Center's Mighty Wurlitzer organ--the same format in which the 1927 film was originally presented. As Lance states in a recent news release about the film, "_The General_ is considered the greatest silent film of all time. Most of it is filmed aboard moving trains and Keaton's humor comes from the incredible physical eloquence with which he negotiates gravity, momentum and velocity. He's a clown, stuntman, missile, engineer and tragic hero all at once. Keaton's face and its many deadpan expressions on the big screen at the Long Center will be monumental." This Civil War film is about a rejected Confederate solider who is kept from the fighting to serve as a train engineer. He plays the hero when his train and the girl of his dreams are stolen by Union spies.

Advance tickets for "The General" are $12 for the general public and $7 for students with a Purdue ID. Tickets are available from 12-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Long Center box office, 111 N. Sixth St., or by calling (765) 742-5664 during those hours. Tickets purchased at the event are $15 for the general public and $8.50 for students with a Purdue ID.

It's also possible to bring an entire class to the film for a reduced price.
One must purchase a block of tickets (more than 10) and identify the group as part of a class. One can then purchase that block at $5/ticket.

The event is presented by the Long Center Theatre Organ Society and the Purdue Liberal Arts Community Engagement Program.

Note that, when Lance and I screened _Nosferatu_ and _Frankenstein_ last Labor Day weekend, we came very close to selling out the Long Center, so I encourage you to purchase your tickets early.

Enjoy!
Dino

--
Dino Franco Felluga
Director of Literature
Department of English

Want $$$ To Make a Film and Do Some Good Too?

Student Grant Program for Community
Service/Service Learning Projects

Funds are available to provide grants to students or student organizations for work on community service learning projects. For more information please direct questions to Cheryl Butz at 49095 and/or cab@purdue.edu.

The PDF document may be found here:
http://www.purdue.edu/elist39/docs/StudentGrantProgram.pdf

BL

This summer has been both awesome and the most educational summer I've had in a long while. I had a great time on both of the Gigs. Mountain Rockfest was a huge learning opportunity. I also met some great people there. Since Mountain Rockfest taught me a lot, I felt a little more prepared for Blues by the Bay. Blues by the Bay was the first time i had been to the east coast, so that was exciting enough by its self. While at the Blues by the Bay Gig, I continued to learn more about being part of a video production crew. I got closer to the other people around me and formed friendships. When you are working together with a bunch of people who share your same interest, it is almost as if you are part of a family. Blues by the bay definately put more emphasis on teamwork; especially when your frantically trying to load out during a downpour. All in all this summer has been something to remember. It gave me a taste of what it would be like in the real world, and left me hungry for more...

Russ Hochstedler

One Summer Down

I just finished my first summer of being an intern and I feel great. This summer I've had the chance to gain an incredible amount of experience with running cameras, directing, and of course coiling cables. I've met a lot of great people that I won't soon forget, and I've also had the pleasure of being part of a crew that I hope I can remain a part of for a long time. Throughout these shows I've been able to learn something different at each one through different problems or special occasions that arise. Some examples of this could be as simple as working around a band or manager's demands, or sharpening my skills by running camera for an entire night without a viewfinder. Our crew has also went through some trials, such as the heat and little problems that arose at Blues by the Bay. With the help of a little pep talk from Bill we all pulled through to show just how good of a crew we were and produced arguably our best show yet. I've been extremely lucky to get involved with Bill and this program this early, being that I am just about to start my sophomore year, and I really hope that I will be able to stay with this program for the rest of my time here at Purdue.

Aaron Hebda
Intern

What a summer it has been! I have learned more in three gigs than I could have ever imagined. The learning how to swim by not drowning technique has seemed to work. I still have plenty to improve on, but I now have a good base to work from. I would like to thank the crew for working so hard, and being so awesome to work with. I would also like Bill for giving me the chance to be an engineer at these gigs. I had a lot of fun , and I am looking forward to working with everyone during the semester.

~Ryan Weaver
Intern

The culminating events leading the finest hour of the summer

Our fifth and final gig has just ended and what better way to end it than a load out in the rain. During Buddy Guy’s headlining performance the wrath of Mother Nature poured down upon us and we were forced to dismantle cameras, pull feeder, and coil cables in the most torrential downpour of the season. I could not have asked for a better ending to this gig and for the entire summer. With what started in Philly and ended in Annapolis our crew has grown closer and learned so much that we connect on a level most crews can only dream to connect on. We have reached the point where we can predict each other’s movements and sync our ever expanding talents to produce the best show anyone can ask for. This has been one of the most fruitful and productive summers I have ever had and I’m already looking forward to our next gig together.

-Zack Clevenger
Intern

The End of a Great Summer...

We are back from our final gig of the summer, and what an amazing summer it has been. I would like to start out by thanking everyone that was involved in the productions we worked on this summer! From start to finish it was so amazing to work with everyone. I would not change any part of it. The hard work and dedication that we all put into every aspect of the show was truly seen during Blues by the Bay. Everything that we learned before the summer and what we learned as the summer progressed was all put into action during those four days in Sandy Point State Park, in Annapolis, MD.
The biggest thank you I have to give is to our wonderful crew. It changed a bit from CMA Music fest to Blues By the Bay, but the core stayed with us throughout, and the people I had the pleasure of working with were amazing, and I cannot wait to start all of this again next year. I am also looking forward to working with them during the school year as well. They are all individually so talented and work so well as a group. We really clicked and were able to produce our best performance of the summer season for non other than the Great Aretha Franklin…the Queen of Soul.

Thanks for a great summer!!

Katie Worden
Intern

Ps. I want to give a shout out to my A-Team!!! I love all of you!!

End of the Summer

It is the end of the summer and I have had an amazing time. I am not a big writer so I have been neglecting to blog and when I do It is usually pretty short. Anyways, we just got back from Blues by the Bay, a Blues festival in Annapolis, MD. It was the perfect ending to a great summer. It was the most talented artists, the least stressful load in, and a nice time to look back at the summer. It would have been hard if we had done BBTB at the beginning of the summer, but we were so deep in gig mode that it was like nothing. I can not be more thankful than to have had this experience and it shows that every single person that gigged with us this summer learned a lot. Now its back to school and the summer gigs have come to a close... time to wait for it to all start again.

-Cory Mascari
Intern