Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: The Kitchen Witches t.v. camera

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chel
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Topic: The Kitchen Witches t.v. camera
Posted: 7/07/08 at 10:45pm

The Kitchen Witches is set on a cable network show. Ideally there is a crew member with a hand-held television camera.

Where in the world does one even begin looking for this kind of thing? Or do you make it out of something else in the general shape of? Or perhaps one that stands still is easier?

Pictures from another production (googled it on flickr) look like it's not there at all.

chel

www.windhamtheaterguild.org

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biggertigger
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Posted: 7/17/08 at 9:16pm

Here are a few suggestions for you:

If you are actually showing the video taping on tvs on the side of the stage you will need one that works, but if you are only using it as a prop, remember this is a cable access show so the money would not be that good, you could get away with just a cheap hand held model, if you want to go a little closer to authentic, call your local tv stage for a camera that doesn't work, they may loan one, some schools also have "studios" that could loan a camera. Lastly, you can purchase a used basic camera (not a studio camera) on ebay for real cheap.

The nice thing about this show is the camera is on for a few seconds so the camera operator (Rick or who ever you call him) moves in then sets it down backstage, so a hand held version works better and a smaller one is not as cumbersome either. Have fun with the show.

Also, a suggestion for the "Iron Chef" competition, since they will be "cooking "the food for tasting, make sure you have swap outs of the already made desserts.

The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.

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chel
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Posted: 7/18/08 at 12:26pm

Thanks, I think our local station would be the best place to start. And no, I won't have it working, I think it's distracting. imho

For some reason though, as I was reading the play, the camera is onstage the whole time. I've been writing my blocking in my script and and I haven't seen it exit. What did I miss?

And definitely the ready food...what did you budget for props considering all of the food and kitchen utensils needed?

chel

www.windhamtheaterguild.org

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biggertigger
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Posted: 7/18/08 at 9:58pm

The camera guy on stage (there is a supposed one in the back of the theater taping) does all the set cleaning and setting up of food, props, and utensils, etc. Since he can't really carry the camera and set the stage he'll need to set it down, depending on how you design your set, I had my actor place it on the side table where the producer sits. This kept the camera out of the way for most of the scenes, he would get a "close up" of the food cooking and then move to the side to not block the view too much or get the camera accidently broken as we borrowed one from the school that worked (though we didn't use it).

Most of the utensils used in the production could be puchased from the dollar store, the food was purchased as cheaply as possible by talking to our local market for their older produce at a discount, any food that was consumed needed to be fresh. The bigger props needed were usually loaned by a cast member or crew.

Our biggest expenses where the costumes. Our set was a deal since a board member had her kitchen remodled at the same time and the contractor was nice to "build" the kitchen set for us. Our lighting designer built "applause" signs to hang on both sides of the stage that light up for the audience to applaud.

This was a great show and can't wait to do it again.

The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.

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Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup

Author	Message
chel Celebrity Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Topic: The Kitchen Witches t.v. camera Posted: 7/07/08 at 10:45pm
	The Kitchen Witches is set on a cable network show. Ideally there is a crew member with a hand-held television camera. Where in the world does one even begin looking for this kind of thing? Or do you make it out of something else in the general shape of? Or perhaps one that stands still is easier? Pictures from another production (googled it on flickr) look like it's not there at all.
	chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org

	IP Logged

biggertigger Celebrity Joined: 4/16/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 188	Posted: 7/17/08 at 9:16pm
	Here are a few suggestions for you: If you are actually showing the video taping on tvs on the side of the stage you will need one that works, but if you are only using it as a prop, remember this is a cable access show so the money would not be that good, you could get away with just a cheap hand held model, if you want to go a little closer to authentic, call your local tv stage for a camera that doesn't work, they may loan one, some schools also have "studios" that could loan a camera. Lastly, you can purchase a used basic camera (not a studio camera) on ebay for real cheap. The nice thing about this show is the camera is on for a few seconds so the camera operator (Rick or who ever you call him) moves in then sets it down backstage, so a hand held version works better and a smaller one is not as cumbersome either. Have fun with the show. Also, a suggestion for the "Iron Chef" competition, since they will be "cooking "the food for tasting, make sure you have swap outs of the already made desserts.
	The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.
	IP Logged

chel Celebrity Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 7/18/08 at 12:26pm
	Thanks, I think our local station would be the best place to start. And no, I won't have it working, I think it's distracting. imho For some reason though, as I was reading the play, the camera is onstage the whole time. I've been writing my blocking in my script and and I haven't seen it exit. What did I miss? And definitely the ready food...what did you budget for props considering all of the food and kitchen utensils needed?
	chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org
	IP Logged

biggertigger Celebrity Joined: 4/16/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 188	Posted: 7/18/08 at 9:58pm
	The camera guy on stage (there is a supposed one in the back of the theater taping) does all the set cleaning and setting up of food, props, and utensils, etc. Since he can't really carry the camera and set the stage he'll need to set it down, depending on how you design your set, I had my actor place it on the side table where the producer sits. This kept the camera out of the way for most of the scenes, he would get a "close up" of the food cooking and then move to the side to not block the view too much or get the camera accidently broken as we borrowed one from the school that worked (though we didn't use it). Most of the utensils used in the production could be puchased from the dollar store, the food was purchased as cheaply as possible by talking to our local market for their older produce at a discount, any food that was consumed needed to be fresh. The bigger props needed were usually loaned by a cast member or crew. Our biggest expenses where the costumes. Our set was a deal since a board member had her kitchen remodled at the same time and the contractor was nice to "build" the kitchen set for us. Our lighting designer built "applause" signs to hang on both sides of the stage that light up for the audience to applaud. This was a great show and can't wait to do it again.
	The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.
	IP Logged

Topic: The Kitchen Witches t.v. camera( Topic Closed)