I love working with Red River Theatres. I have a special place in my heart for them. They helped me take a crazy idea back in 2009 and make it possible. I’ll always love them for that. I also love them because I LOVE movies. Any chance I can get to be part of their team I take it. What volunteer work I do I usually do with Red River because they are a non-profit and because I love movies.
A while back I got the chance to meet and photograph actor Perry King at a RRT event. Perry directed and starred in a independent film that was written by a New Hampshire native Jana F. Brown. A screening event was to take place at Red River Theatre followed by a Q&A with special guests Jana F. Brown, co-star Sara Arrington and King himself.
Would I be interested in spending the evening at RRT? Abso-freaking-lutely!
The event was split into three sections: • the film screening, • the Q&A with the guests, and • group photos in the RRT lobby with the visiting guests.
I knew that I wanted to get a few solo images of the three guests, so I loaded up my cart, brought along my buddy Jason to take some behind-the-scenes photos, and I got there early. I asked the events director at RRT if she would ask the guests if I could take a few minutes of their time prior to the event to get a few simple portraits of each of them. Something simple, nice and clean of each person. I was told the guests agreed and so I grabbed my cart of gear and started looking for a little quiet cove that I could set up in.
We found a small, quiet area in an adjoining hallway that links RRT to the Hotel Concord. It was away from the theatre and away from any noise or people walking back and forth. I brought a small textured backdrop made of a kind of sweatshirt fabric that doesn’t wrinkle and I got it up on the wall with some gaffers tape. I set up a small c-stand with a posting table on it (the table was built a few days before this session, before I could cover the table with some speaker-box fabric), and I had a c-stand off to the side with a light and a beauty dish. Easy peasy. I did a few test shots of Jason to lock my exposure in, and then it was just a matter of waiting for the talent to arrive.
I know Perry from the 1982 film “Class of 1984”. It used to broadcast on HBO when I was a kid. Lots of nights and weekends as a kid watching this film during multiple broadcasts on the Home Box Office channel.
With everything set up before the guests arrived, all I needed to do was chat with them a bit and then get them into position. I didn’t want to take much of their time, so I’d have them just stand at the posing table and ease them into a bit of a pose. Quick and easy.
I kept things quick. They were here for an event, not for me to stall their time and make a ton of photographs. I got a few shots of each person and then I let them go get ready for the event.
But not before I asked Perry to autograph my DVD of “Class of 1984” :)
The evening went flawlessly. The screening event was sold out. I make a few photographs during the Q&A section
The last part of the evening featured attendees having their pictures taken with the guests if they desired. We had a simple step/repeat set up and I grabbed some group photos that RRT would then share on their social media outlets.
I’ll never not want to work with the fabulous folks at Red River Theatres. They are a class act, and I’m overjoyed that I get to be part of their little team for events and special functions.
If you live in New Hampshire, go visit Red River Theatres. See one of their movies. Attend one of their events. Or, even better, become a member and help support independent cinema. It’s a fantastic place with fantastic people, and independent cinema is needed now more than ever.
Thanks for Jana, Sara and Perry for giving me a little of their time. Thank you Red River Theatre. For all that you do and for all that we do together.