Another Successful FST Shoot Completed

We've been working with the Fusion Science Theater group over the last several years, filming and editing their live children's science shows. This past Saturday, we continued this relationship as we shot their newly updated Will It Light program at Madison Area Technical College.

Since the intended use for this particular video is the education of future instructors rather than a documentation of an actual live performance, the production workflow was a bit different from all of our previous shoots. Specifically, we worked with the youth audience ahead of time to insure we evoked the proper responses for the cameras.

We were assisted by cinematographers Erik Witt and Colin Cameron, and we had a total of four cameras running at one time.

After the show was over and the audience had left the room, we did retakes for any aspect of the program where it may have deviated from the script. Plus we shot a lot of our close-ups at this time. Generally, it was much more like a movie shoot rather than a live event.

Still images shot by Colin Cameron.

And here's a promo we completed for the "Will It Light" show...

Mad City Chickens to Screen in Palm Springs

On Tuesday, January 28th, our documentary Mad City Chickens returns to California and will play at the Palm Springs Public Library. This program is presented in partnership with the City of Palm Springs Office of Sustainability. Watch the film and then join in the discussion about urban farming.

The film will begin at 6:30 p.m. in The Learning Center (TLC), Palm Springs Public Library, located at 300 S. Sunrise Way, on the corner of Baristo and Sunrise in Palm Springs.

MCC to Screen at Slow Food Fest in Illinois

Mad City Chickens will play at the Slow Food Film Festival on January 25th in Springfield, Illinois. The public screening is being sponsored by Slow Food Springfield and the University of Illinois Extension. Film starts 6:30 pm at Benedictine University, 1500 N. 5th Street.

Collaborative Work with Living Storm Productions

Living Storm Productions, LLC is an independent film production company based in Madison. Drawing on filmmaking talent from the area, the company aims to expand the scope and quality of motion pictures in the Midwest.

This past Saturday, Robert directed a short marketing video that Living Storm is putting together about their own company. Also on set were Michael Haven (DP) from Exchange Productions, Nicholas Wootton (Script Supervisor) of Windmiller Media, and Kelly Lajter (Slate/Grip) from Project Famous. It was a long day of shooting, 14 hours and two separate locations, but we completed what we set out to do.

WYOU Makes Cover of State Journal

An article on a bill to reinstatement federal PEG monies for community television stations appeared on the cover of today's Wisconsin State Journal. WYOU, Madison's only access station, has been struggling to survive over the last couple of years after the state voted to cut their funding. Yet whether this valuable new source of income comes through or not, the future for WYOU recently took a turn for the better.

In an agreement between the Madison Public Library and the cable access station, WYOU has now taken up residence at the newly refurbished downtown location...rent free! Madison's community voice has a secure permanent home. Robert continues to write and update the program schedule each week for the station.

Pictured at the library holding a vintage WYOU sign is Robert along with board members Bryan Fay and Michael Haven. Seated in front are board members Barbara Wright and Barbara Vedder.

Photo copyright M.P. King, State Journal.