Ara’Kus on Film
What a long week! We went straight from an intense non-stop costume creating frenzy to filming our promo video. The Everett Historic Theater has been absolutely amazing in their support of us and this project. They gave us full use of the facility for the entire night, including tech. It was an awesome opportunity to get a feel for what we’re really getting into. I have to say that after taking the stage there and feeling it out, this show will be unequivocally amazing.
We’ve also gotten the verbal ‘OK’ to hold our rehearsals in the theater itself starting in early July. This will be a huge benefit, and alleviates one of my major concerns – finding a location suitable for blocking and the rehearsal of space sensitive acts such as dancers and martial artists.
Ignition Fire Troupe sounds very interested in lending their support in the way of martial artists and props, but they have to verify that they won’t all be out at an event the weekend of the show. We’ve also been looking into hiring some aerialists. We’d need to hire some riggers to prepare the stage for this act, but I think it could be well worth the cost associated with it.
The video shoot itself went surprisingly smoothly. Max Collinge, as always, has been an unbelievable asset, both with his abilities and willingness to help, and with his equipment. We had a good showing from the chorus and the costumes looked great all around. Rissa Jones came out to do make-up for us and did a stunning job, given the time constraints. We’re hoping to bring her out for the final production to do some more elaborate make-up and prosthetics. Despite how well the band’s costumes turned out, I have to say that the star of the show was the chorus. I still get chills every time I see them in the video footage we have so far – a white faced, emotionless wall of black robed figures. Creepy as hell. Also very, very cool.
Last night we filmed a character driven promo scene based on Syren’s Embrace. Chrissy Kayatta and Jawn Wakefield came out and gave us a spectacular and chilling performance. I’m really excited to start working with this material in post production. Also, we had a new make-up/costume person named Kaitlyn come out to work with us. She did a fantastic job, and we’re looking forward to having her as a resource.
After the shoot, I took a bit of time off to go check out a rehearsal at the Last Wear House in Northgate. Apparently they’re putting on a fashion/theater show at Julia’s in Capitol Hill on Thursday (5/27/10). It’s an excellent performance they’ve put together. I’d recommend highly going to check it out if you get a chance.
Tonight, we film BJ as the priest. I’ve got some ideas for some pretty dramatic shots, and I know that with BJ’s acting abilities, it will turn out quite well. After that, it’s down to Seattle to film the lovely Asraiya and her twirling implements of fiery doom.
Jeremy and Max have cut me off from filming after tonight. I’d like to get some footage of Eric and the martial artists, but time constraints are preventing that at the moment. It’s probably time we get back to other pursuits, in any case. We’ve got most of our actors now; time to set up rehearsal schedules, finish the stageplay and get moving on some live promotional activities.
66 days remaining…
Heavy Metal Casting Call
The casting continues, slowly but surely. We’ve finally found the priest, and we all think he’s a perfect fit. I’m also talking with several other people that I think are ideal for roles. It’s a long process, to be sure. This project is enough off the beaten path that I think most people can’t see themselves auditioning, or wouldn’t even think to without being drawn in via one of us. Unfortunately, that puts us in the position of actively contacting people we think would work well. I’m just lucky I’ve met so many talented people recently.
We have plans to meet with the Ignition Fire Troupe this weekend. Everett Historic Theater has unanimously vetoed the idea of using fire in the venue, but Ignition has quite a few other types of performers we could make use of. Of particular interest are their martial artists and acrobats. We need people who can work with Eric to put together some great action scenes, and if we can work something out with Ignition, we may be able to square that away.
We’ve also started looking into aerialists this week. I know very little about what’s required to set that up, but we have gotten approval from the theater to implement it and we’re going to continue to investigate. I can’t wait to see what the possibilities are in regards to this.
The first promo video for Aeterno Elementum is being shot this week out at the theater. Max Collinge will be filming us and doing the editing. He’s done a great job in the past, so we’re all really excited to see what comes of it. To that end, we’ve been spending the past week constructing costumes. I have to say, they’re turning out amazing so far. It’s pretty incredible what you can do with a little know how and some creativity (and some helpful expert guidance.) I would really like to extend a thanks to Tandy Leather out in Shoreline for their help. If anyone ever needs leatherworking supplies, be sure you check them out.
77 days to go…
Leatherworking, Ara’Kus style
Leatherworking is not nearly as difficult as I assumed it would be. After becoming frustrated with the excessively priced leather items online, Randy recently decided to try assembling some of his own stage costume pieces. Within two days of getting the materials from Tandy Leather, he had gone from knowing absolutely nothing about the craft, to putting the finishing touches on a leather pauldron that looked to me as if it could have sold online for five times what he spent on materials.
Now, of course, we’re overwhelmed with the possibilities. I’ve already gone out and purchased the materials I’ll need to craft myself a leather tunic. It will certainly be more difficult and time consuming than Randy’s pauldron, but now that I understand the basics, I feel that it’s fully achievable. Considering I spent around $100 on materials (some of which are tools that can be reused for multiple projects) and the cheapest comparable leather armor I can find online runs $600+, I think I don’t have much to lose but my time.
If this turns out well, I may turn my attention to making some items for other people in the band or cast.
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And so it begins…
This will be the first entry in the Aeterno Elementum Production blog.
We’ve set a date for July 31st and made arrangements with the Everett Historic Theater. Everything is in motion now. Three months is not a long time to accomplish everything we need to prior to opening night. In fact, it’s a ridiculously short amount of time. Between our shoestring budget and the sheer scope of what we’re trying to do, it’s daunting. I have to admit, there are very few days when I don’t look at the project and wonder to myself, ‘What the hell are we doing here? Are we insane?’ Truth is, we probably are; but then, I think that’s a requirement for anyone who does anything in theater.
The first order of business is getting the people we need. We’ve had a really amazing group of 8 or 9 chorus members for the past several months. Ideally, before the show, we want to grow this to about 25. To this end, I’ve been contacting local chorus groups and telling them about our project. Last night I went out to talk to Everett Chorale. The Director, Lee Matthews was incredibly welcoming, and the reception among the 70 or so singers there was surprisingly good. I am consistently surprised by the demographics that are excited about what we’re doing. Now if only we could translate that interest into action. I figure I’ll keep corresponding with area choruses until we exceed our goal.
We’ve found a few incredible people already. We’re working with a costume designer named Linnaea Wilson, who is a student at UW. Despite her hectic schedule, she’s managed to put together some really impressive costume designs for the band members. Unfortunately she’ll be leaving for the summer, so we won’t be able to work with her on any other part of the project, but she’s certainly earned our admiration.
Historic Everett Theatre
Mill Town Footlights by David Dilgard, Everett Public Library
© 2001 Everett Public Library (For a copy of Mill Town Footlights, click on the title above.)
Chapter 4
Stately Centenarian: The Everett Theatre
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety…
William Shakespeare: Antony & Cleopatra, Act II, Scene 2
Opening Night
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| 1902 Facade of Everett Theatre was an impressive composition in terra cotta, tile and stucco. (Curtis Studio photograph, April 1905, from the collection of the Evertt Public Library) |
Every decent carriage in town had been hired well in advance. As the long-awaited hour approached, horse-drawn vehicles and streetcars converged on Colby Avenue laden with passengers unusually well-dressed for a mill town Monday night. From a lofty vantage point it may have seemed like a scaled down version of a Broadway opening. Certainly something similar to the excitement of the Great White Way had momentarily found its way to a modest Puget Sound industrial port.
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