Helium Balloons Lighting the Caves

New York Choroegrapher Doug Varone and his Dance Group were the subject with the massive Caves providing the grand backdrop.

Doug wanted the camera to become part of the performances in the different sections of the caves so the camera was choreographed into the dance sequences becoming another member of the ensemble. Doug's visualization of the number and his use of the camera provided some elegant staging presenting several unusual lighting challenges.

Freeing the camera meant having the Hi Def Camera almost constantly on Steadicam (Operator-Sheila Smith) so it could move along with and amongst the dancers. Lighting became a challenge as there was literally nowhere to put lighting units without them being seeing.

The Dancing Ball of Light

Watching playback with Doug

The shoot presented many challenges, not the least of which was shooting underground in gigantic caverns which make up part of the more than 300 miles of caves and tunnels in the Mammoth Caves System.

For a full desription of the intent of the Project hop on to

WOLFTRAP-FACE OF AMERICA

Doug Varone Rehearsing with Dancers

Having used Helium Balloons (from Available Light in NYC) extensively on the TV Series ED I decided this might be a viable solution as the light could be hidden from view almost regardless of camera angle whilst providing a large, diffused soft source. The challenge then was to keep it from becoming flat AND to maintain some consistency in exposure with the Dancers moving through a large area.

The result was I choreographed the movement of the light into the dance so the whole piece became a fluid interaction of dancers, camera and lighting.

Gaffer Tully McCulloch, who has worked with me since The Spitfire grill, took care of the power requirements in the caves along with a small band of PA's who placed lamps well off in the BG around bends in the tunnels, to provide some depth.

The amazing latitude of the 24P camera and some effective "tweaks" to the setup led to some spectacular footage to be seen on the three giant screens at Wolftrap...August 24th.