 | Cinerama Projection Booth Uptown Theater Washington DC Taped around 1996 during the revival of Return of the Jedi, this is in the projection booth of the Uptown Theater in Washington DC, a former Todd-AO and Cinerama house with a giant curved screen. The projectionist was Steve Guttag, who in 2003 described, online, the theater and his tenure there: Well it has now been over a year since I worked the Uptown...I was one of the projectionists at the Uptown from 1988 until 2005. After college, I only worked Saturdays though. I can honestly say, we had the best show in town. What some projectionists think as a clean/sharp print woudn't cut it at the Uptown. The screen is so big and curved, any damage just shows up more and scratches take on a curved appearance. Focus was another issue. 35mm is too small a gauge for the Uptown's screen. The relatively poorly made prints of today really don't have a great focus to begin with..combine that with the small gauge and the deep curve screen, which taxes the depth of focus of the lens, and you have a very tricky arrangement. While I was there, focus was checked at least every 5-minutes to ensure it is at its best. Some films were just a demonstration of futility. CinemaScope films being the worst for the Uptown due to lenses adding the most to the image challenges. 70mm is the only format the Uptown should run. It is the only format that has the resolution, light throughput and the projection lens at the Uptown is designed for the curved screen. Yes, even 35mm blow-ups to 70mm would make (and have made) HUGE differences. As for the Uptown's sound...it suffers from lack of attention combined with being played with by the latest special show that comes to town. The equipment within the place is quite good and you won't do much better just by replacing it (in fact you will most likely do worse). The Uptown's sound system is quite similar to the Senator's in Baltimore, MD. Altec A-4 stage speakers, JBL subwoofers, Altec A-7 surrounds (12 of them), QSC amps, and the Dolby CP200 (upgraded). Probably the best the Uptown sounded was back when three of us tuned the room for a Paramount film with Al Matano...we had three analyzers going for the various zones throughout the room...one could really balance it out better than even with just a multiplexed mic system...and then critical listening was done by several people rather than taking just one person's opinion. As some have discovered...the sound in a room that large can vary quite a bit...a bit tinny downstairs towards the screen (in the middle, particularly), and notably subdued in the balcony. Then again, many techs don't realize there are two HF horn systems for each speaker to properly cover the Balcony and main section separately. The potential to have good sound there is indeed doable...just not every tech is up to the task nor has the time available (nor prior experience) to do it. As to the projection at the Uptown...I left shortly after the platter went in. However, once the non-projectionists started to operate, the equipment damage as well as print damage had started. Shutters were damaged, among other things. They went through several prints of THE AVIATOR in the weeks after I departed. I still hear of continual print damage to this day (March 2006) though I do not have first hand knowledge of it anymore. Given the operating policy there...I can't see how it could be any other way though. However, the sad thing that is also true for movies at the moment...they need to make something worth watching. Movies that have a number after the name or have the same name as a TV show just is not original thinking. Hollywood needs to start making good movies again and shooting them in 65mm as if they actually cared about the movie at the start. Steve |
 | Shoreline Youth Theater Medley (part 1) - Noah Golden's Senior Recital A clip of the Shoreline Youth Theater singing a medley of songs at Noah's senior recital. SYT was a theater group of homeschoolers that ran from ’03 to ’07. SYT was a highlight of my high school years not only because of my love for theater and singing with the group, but because we were blessed to work with our three outstanding directors, each of whom brought his or her own talent and commitment to our group. This medley is one of the highlights of this program. Reuniting everyone was a beautiful and magical experience. When members of the cast from all four years started singing together, it was like nothing had changed – the SYT family was back together! I have written a brief explanation of each show; plus I thought it would be fun to reflect on each production in a stream of consciousness.: Prepare Ye, All Good Gifts, & Light Of The World from “Godspell, Jr”: Prepare Ye opened our second show, “Godpspell” which was performed at the Deep River Town Hall in 2004. This show was a blast to do and had many great toe-tapping songs in it. Here are some complete ramblings that (hopefully) nobody will understand but the cast: There once was a king (yeah yeah) … Veggie Hats … The baptizer that ruined those veggie hats … Making puppets … Touring nursing homes … “Baa-a-a” … Teaching Barrett the barucha … The Judas Stool … The drummer (with the “cute eyes”) … “I’m swimming towards you Jesus” … The hat and cane routine … Dry Matzo … Skulldana…“Oh God, I’m dying”… Singing and dancing with friends, love – “Godspell” She Hasn’t Got A Clue & Don’t Blame Me from “Clue: The Musical” “Clue: the Musical,” our third show, was based on the popular board game. In the show I played the angry, English, alcoholic, and…female maid, Mrs. White. The set changes … LOUNGE! ... “Heels Joe!” … Corridors and Halls (90 degree angle) … “Squeegy Sangaloni, in the flesh” … “Who’s behind kiosk number three?” … The shedding boa and feather duster …“YOU’RE MA-A-AD!” … The ever-changing “Everyday Devices” choreography … Socks up my shirt … The woman who squawked after “my camp” … My migrating bosoms … Bringing new life to the group … Hilarious, new friends, fun, cross-dressing memories – “Clue” Song Of Love & Finale from “Once Upon A Mattress” “Mattress” was our show for ’06. It’s a popular musical based on the “Princess & The Pea” fairy-tale. I played the sensible Minstrel, a narrator and guild through a crazy kingdom with a narcissistic queen, a mute king and a loud, uncouth, princess named Fred. What Would You Do If You Where Caught Naked? … I’M UNDER A LOT OF STRESS RIGHT NOW!!! ... The feather … That REALLY heavy chicken … I think Zan just cut off her finger … It’s not the stork … Our backstage man-to-man talk … Way too much makeup … Beekeeping … The loud bubble machine … Earl … Sam in a tub of water … What Would You Do If You Where Caught Naked? ... Upbeat, energetic, laughs, melodies – “Mattress” Rita From Argentina & Popular & Most Likely To Succeed from “Trixie True” Despite the somewhat off-putting title, “Trixie True, Teen Detective” was maybe my favorite show to do. Once again I was cast as a drunk (thankfully a male drunk this time) who is hired to write a series of girlie “Nancy Drew” style mysteries. Teaching Booth the gay goosestep … ”I hate her” … My band-aid pack of cigarettes … Warm powdered tea in my whiskey … Snow shower of paper … “Hi-de-hi-de-hi-di-hi” … Sam teaching me to cha-cha with a tie on my head … The Katzenjammer disaster … Get off the chair at 1:30 … Booth’s moustache on the flowers … “Why is this so terrible” … Hannah’s head on the poster … Evil laughing …“Noah, is this your prop” … Hard hats … Easy, camaraderie, doo-wop, whiskey and cigarettes, favorite – “Trixie” |
 | Shoreline Youth Theater Medley (part 2) - Noah Golden's Senior Recital A clip of the Shoreline Youth Theater singing a medley of songs at Noah's senior recital. SYT was a theater group of homeschoolers that ran from ’03 to ’07. SYT was a highlight of my high school years not only because of my love for theater and singing with the group, but because we were blessed to work with our three outstanding directors, each of whom brought his or her own talent and commitment to our group. This medley is one of the highlights of this program. Reuniting everyone was a beautiful and magical experience. When members of the cast from all four years started singing together, it was like nothing had changed – the SYT family was back together! I have written a brief explanation of each show; plus I thought it would be fun to reflect on each production in a stream of consciousness.: Prepare Ye, All Good Gifts, & Light Of The World from “Godspell, Jr”: Prepare Ye opened our second show, “Godpspell” which was performed at the Deep River Town Hall in 2004. This show was a blast to do and had many great toe-tapping songs in it. Here are some complete ramblings that (hopefully) nobody will understand but the cast: There once was a king (yeah yeah) … Veggie Hats … The baptizer that ruined those veggie hats … Making puppets … Touring nursing homes … “Baa-a-a” … Teaching Barrett the barucha … The Judas Stool … The drummer (with the “cute eyes”) … “I’m swimming towards you Jesus” … The hat and cane routine … Dry Matzo … Skulldana…“Oh God, I’m dying”… Singing and dancing with friends, love – “Godspell” She Hasn’t Got A Clue & Don’t Blame Me from “Clue: The Musical ”“Clue: the Musical,” our third show, was based on the popular board game. In the show I played the angry, English, alcoholic, and…female maid, Mrs. White. The set changes … LOUNGE! ... “Heels Joe!” … Corridors and Halls (90 degree angle) … “Squeegy Sangaloni, in the flesh” … “Who’s behind kiosk number three?” … The shedding boa and feather duster …“YOU’RE MA-A-AD!” … The ever-changing “Everyday Devices” choreography … Socks up my shirt … The woman who squawked after “my camp” … My migrating bosoms … Bringing new life to the group … Hilarious, new friends, fun, cross-dressing memories – “Clue” Song Of Love & Finale from “Once Upon A Mattress” “Mattress” was our show for ’06. It’s a popular musical based on the “Princess & The Pea” fairy-tale. I played the sensible Minstrel, a narrator and guild through a crazy kingdom with a narcissistic queen, a mute king and a loud, uncouth, princess named Fred. What Would You Do If You Where Caught Naked? … I’M UNDER A LOT OF STRESS RIGHT NOW!!! ... The feather … That REALLY heavy chicken … I think Zan just cut off her finger … It’s not the stork … Our backstage man-to-man talk … Way too much makeup … Beekeeping … The loud bubble machine … Earl … Sam in a tub of water … What Would You Do If You Where Caught Naked? ... Upbeat, energetic, laughs, melodies – “Mattress” Rita From Argentina & Popular & Most Likely To Succeed from “Trixie True” Despite the somewhat off-putting title, “Trixie True, Teen Detective” was maybe my favorite show to do. Once again I was cast as a drunk (thankfully a male drunk this time) who is hired to write a series of girlie “Nancy Drew” style mysteries. Teaching Booth the gay goosestep … ”I hate her” … My band-aid pack of cigarettes … Warm powdered tea in my whiskey … Snow shower of paper … “Hi-de-hi-de-hi-di-hi” … Sam teaching me to cha-cha with a tie on my head … The Katzenjammer disaster … Get off the chair at 1:30 … Booth’s moustache on the flowers … “Why is this so terrible” … Hannah’s head on the poster … Evil laughing …“Noah, is this your prop” … Hard hats … Easy, camaraderie, doo-wop, whiskey and cigarettes, favorite – “Trixie” |
 | Electric President: its an ugly life directed by : ben cooper & mark hubbard www.radicalface.com track: its an ugly life artist: Electric President album : Sleep well morr music 2008 I've always liked the look of projection booths (I worked in a movie theater for most of my teenage years). And since I know five of the managers at a local theater, we got to shoot this video in one. Like Monsters, it was filmed and recorded at the same time. But we only had a little over 5 hours to shoot and record everything, since we had to work after hours and be out before 6am. Luckily, we'd rehearsed this one a few times before the shoot, so there weren't nearly as many screw ups, and I was walking without a cane at this point. But even still, we only got to about half of the shots Mark and I had originally planned. I think it still worked out, but I'd have loved to see how some of the planned stuff would've looked on film. Oh well. But like the Monsters video, we had the "backing band" in masks. There wasn't any real reason for this. We just thought it looked funny. |
 | POSSESSION(S) - Rough Trailer http://www.laurencefuller.com/Possession.html Laurence Fuller debuts in this unique film about art, that looks at the art world and the mind set of a devoted collector from within. The film focuses on one man's turbulent relationship with a work of art, one that blinds all else in his life. When Frank sees something, he must have it. So when he finally has the opportunity to own a painting by Peter Booth, he is willing to do anything to get it. However, he is not the only one consumed by the desire to possess. Director Jim Lounsbury Producer Trilby Beresford Executive Producer Laurence Fuller Screenplay Jim Lounsbury & LaurenceFuller Cast Frank Laurence Fuller Paul Max Cullen Selina Asher Keddie Natasha Trilby Beresford Painter Julian Kennard Ray Wilson As Himself Crew DOP John Biggins Focus Puller Bastien Chapignac Gaffer Matt Russell 1st AD Costa Ronin 2nd AD Suzie Johnson Art Director Kim Scott Sound Tull Kidron Gaff Assist Luke Seer Unit Assist Janice Nicholson Runner Tamara Mason Makeup Kylie Price Assistant Maisie Dubosarsky Camera Operator Paul Moss Special Thanks Peter Booth Stephanie Burns Bridgette Macarthur Rex Irwin Art Dealer Tizzana The Producer As a writer and producer, Trilby Beresford has made three short films. As an actor, she is best known for her role as the autistic Kathleen in Channel Seven's All Saints. Trilby is currently writing a debut feature script, and will re-locate to LA in August 2008 to begin the Producing program at the American Film Institute. The Director www.graceproductions.com.au Jim Lounsbury, the director of Possession was an inspiration on set. Jim is currently working on his debut feature film, Draftin'. Laurence Fuller www.laurencefuller.com As well as being the lead actor, Laurence co-wrote the screenplay with Jim Lounsbury and executive produced the project. Having worked in the art world since he was 14, this film is a poetic debut onto the big screen. Max Cullen Max Cullen is magnetic in the role of Paul. Max is a widely recognised actor and sculptor, recently winning an AFI award for his role in the Australian drama Love My Way. Asher Keddie Asher delivers another stunning performance as the conflicted Selina, fighting for what she loves. Asher Keddie has been a highly respected actress in Australian film, theatre and television since 1985. Peter Booth The 6th character in this film is a painting by Peter Booth Peter Booth's retrospectives at Australian national and state museums have established him as one of the most important Australian artists of the last century. Copyright permission to use Figure with Bandaged Head was a major mile stone for the film. The contribution by Peter Booth's art dealer Rex Irwin was invaluable, lending his gallery and securing the copyright. The original painting is used in the film and is part of Laurence's private collection. Grace Productions Fuller & Little Beresford Films |
 | Mark Taper Forum backstage tour, Part 4 of 4 "Goodbye, Old Taper: Part 4, Control Booths and Secret Rooms" - A backstage tour of the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angles, where plays like Angels in America and Zoot Suit had their premieres, just before it closes for a year long renovation. Part 4 visits the control booths, with old sound and lighting technology, plus a visit to a hitherto unknown upstairs room. www.CenterTheatreGroup.org |
 | the automatic theatre the automatic theatre is the last survivor of old-fashioned fair booths that used to fascinate the audience with the secret of automatic structures. |
 | PJ's FLV # 121 - PJ's Theatre Debut !!! For this year's School Festival, PJ joins another teacher (Tony) and students (Tim, Takuya, and Tatsuto) in a short comedy skit than can only be described as Oscar-calibre drama! PLOT: The 1st guy (in a karate gi) anounces that he is the toughest guy around. Then a ganster (played by PJ) comes in at threaten him. He says that despite the white belt, he's a black belt and will hurt me. PJ attacks him, carry him off stage, but he prevails and kicks PJ's ass. Then a new man enters & beats us both down, finally a gunman attacks all 3 of us but we evade his bullets and kick his ass. Finally, the 1st guy warns all to stay away from danger. The school festival is a very big event in most Japanese high school's yearly calendars. Students put on various kinds of performances, there are food and games booths, and it is a chance for students and staff to celebrate together. 'School festival' (学園祭) is sometimes called 'Culture Festival' (文化祭) because of the connection to the national holiday celebrating cultural activities in the fall. |
 | Haight-Ashbury Street Fair, 1981 The fourth annual Haight-Ashbury Street Fair took place on May 31, 1981. Haight Street was a nice place, home to hippies, punks, gays, straights, families, and, of course, the "orange people". This was just a few weeks before signs went up at 18th and Castro advising gay men to see their doctors if they had purple lesions on their skin, the first wave of what was to become the AIDS epidemic. This was taken on an 8mm camera. My friend Kyra is manning my tie-dye booth. You can see that other booths had much more professional and beautiful tie-dyes. My booth was not too far from the corner of Haight and Cole, on the north side, where you can see a crater in the ground where the Straight Theatre once stood and is now home to a Goodwill thrift shop. You also see a booth with the words "New Moral Minority", a swat at the newly formed Moral Majority that ushered in the unfortunate presidency of Ronald Reagan. There's a hippie on stilts with tie-dye pants, Nixon dressed in a ballerina costume, and you can see the backs of a few nuns, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group of gay men dressed in nun garb who sold indulgences. The final shot looks east on Haight Street, a familiar shot to the one on the inside cover of the Grateful Dead album, Live/Dead. And yes, the musical background is Dark Star by the Grateful Dead. |
 | PASINAYA CCP Open House Festival-Pay Wat U Can,See Ol U Can We are pleased to announce that the Cultural Center of the Philippines will once more be mounting "Pasinaya 2007: the CCP Open House Festival" on Sunday, February 04, 2007 from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM in all its performance venues. The Festival will showcase the performances of the CCP resident companies such as Ballet Philippines, Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, Philippine Ballet Theater, Philippine Madrigal Singers, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Ramon Obusan Folkloric group, Tanghalang Pilipino, the UST Symphony Orchestra and other guest performers in the fields of dance, music and theater. A special screening of Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival winners, "Tulad ng Dati" and "Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" will be held at CCP's Dream Theater. There will also be exhibits, food booths, a tiangge, and other special attractions. |
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![Daily flights from NYC to Mont Tremblant\](images/articles/thumbs/nytremblantthumb.jpg "Daily flights from NYC to Mont Tremblant\")
