Hi,

    I need some help with ideas, guys.   Meeting with an entertainment critic/reporter Monday morning.  He will be writing a story about my next project which is the World Premiere of my next full-length play.  He wrote a lovely article about me last year when my first full-length premiered here in my home town.  This article will not only profile me but my lead actor as well (the play revolves around his character).  A photographer is coming to our rehearsal on Sunday night.  The reporter wants an edgy photo. 

     The play takes place in the 'great room' of a summer cottage on a private island.  There are three areas to the room though they are really just one big room.  The 'dining area' where there is a table and benches- a 'livingroom area' where there is a sofa, rocker chair, fireplace- a 'bedroom area' with bed and lots of pillows.

   Any ideas on something edgey but tasteful my lead actor and I can do beyond the standard photos that usually appear in the papers.

    The play has a cast of 8 including 3 kids so we need to be somewhat family oriented.

Woah there!

If the reporter wants an "edgy" photo, it is up to the reporter to relay this to his photographer. It's not your call to set up a  photo, it is the photographer's. I would briefly let the photographer know what the play is about and the type of character the lead plays IF the photographer wants any input. The best photo will be a result of letting the photographer do his job.

PS - I am a photographer AND a director. Trust me.

I can understand where you are coming from as a photographer, but the director has a responsibility to make sure that the photographer doesn't try to stage something the mis-represents the play.

What the reporter might mean by "edgy" is simply something that looks interesting. Almost any play will have at least a couple scenes that will provide for very interesting photos.

Dan

Hi Dan.

   Thanks for the comments.  We got some nice shots of my lead actor and I going over the script on the set.

     Met with the reporter and my lead actor this morning.  Talked for almost an hour.  I was able to answer the reportor's questions without sounding too muddled.  My lead actor was so gracious and charming.  He said some wonderful things that showed me how much insight he has into his character and how very  passionate he is about the play. Didn't realize how highly he regards the role he's playing and the play.

     Got to wait until the end of the month for the story to appear in the paper.

DBoris -

Moot point, now - but did you miss the fact that the director/playwright and the actor were to be in the same picture? Not possible to represent or mis-represent the play with a photo of them together. They would never appear onstage together - so a picture of a "scene" of the play would not be considered by the photographer.

This is fascinating stuff.  Never thought I'd start something just by asking a question.

    Two sets of photos were taken. One of myself, director/playwright & my lead actor for the feature story. We were seated at the table on the set looking at his script.  You know- director/actor talk. 

     The second set was of the lead actor (dad in the play) and the three actors playing his kids- ages15, 14 and 10. We staged a cute 'warm-fuzzy' shot of dad surrounded by the kids as he reads his birthday card.  Hopefully, the theatre-goers will want to come and see the play 'cause kids on stage usually draws audience members.  The 10 year old is especially adorable.