The shoot went really well. We were able to get enough footage over two hours to put together what you see above, and all the reports coming into the company have been positive. I’m happy they are pleased with the finished product, proud we were able to get it delivered in a tight deadline, and looking forward to working with them again in the future!

So today’s intense 2 hour shoot went well. As always, I tried to get even more coverage than I thought I needed. The most intensive shot was a shot I conceived of an item going down the assembly line, from the perspective of a camera traveling behind it. It took more coordination than you would think, but I’m happy to say that we finally got it in three takes – probably about 20 minutes of time for that shot alone.

I’ll be hitting the editing room this Saturday to get this thing done. When it’s done, and I have the okay, I will post it here.

This was a lot of fun and I hope the concert turns out well. This guy is fairly controversial but a pretty big name in music in Russia a few years ago – just before he released a controversial song and video that protested Russia’s role in Chechnya. He is flamboyantly bisexual and supposedly puts on quite a show. Should be quite a party for this small town.

Your vid guy,

Todd Kuhns

Roots
Reminiscent of the “it’s morning in America” ads of the Reagan era.

Brenda Higgins ad
This is a direct response to some literature slung by the opposing candidate that Rebecca “celebrates abortion,” which is rather absurd, as a testimonial from her coworker and friend.

Pull the Plug
After some even nastier television, radio ads and brochures from her opponent, Rebecca decided again to restate her commitment to a positive campaign and her record of getting things done.

For what it’s worth, I’m very impressed that she decided to keep it clean. She could’ve easily slung dirt right back at her opponent, but she rose above that to continue to campaign on her own merits. That’s why I’ll be voting for Rebecca McClanahan next week.

Your vid guy, Todd Kuhns

No big projects planned for the immediate future. The one project we did have going – a series of historical podcasts on odd, unusual and overlooked bits of Northeast Missouri legends and lore – went on hold a couple months ago while I work on a new venture.

Oh, and I got elected to the Kirksville City Council, which has been refocusing my energies for the time being.

However, it looks like my good buddy Matt Eppright (“Matthew James” for those who pay attention to the credits) just wrapped on another short, Finals Week. I’m looking forward to seeing this one as I do all his stuff.

Alpha promo video 2 (8:00) – mpg

I also shot the last scene for the second Adair County Drug Coalition PSA, and should finish with that by the end of the week.

ACDC PSA (:30)

The PSA is going to show for the next few months on the local ABC affiliate, KTVO. 

This weekend, I’m heading down to St. Louis to shoot another promotional video for the Alpha Family Development Center. It’s been a year since I did the last one, and they’ve since gotten a lot more funding and a place. Since their needs have changed significantly, they’ve asked me back to shoot another promo video. This time, I’ll be doing some greenscreen work with the interviews. I’ll let you know how it goes.

I’ve posted some pics here of the Dracula production back in October. The rather elaborate set was built in a very large, round barn about 2 miles outside of Kirksville. The owner of the barn hosts large events there year-round, such as plays, concerts and a notorious annual blues festival that packs as many as 600 people in the place at once. It made for chilly rehearsals, but he does heat the barn for the performances. He set up large circular tables and chairs in front of the stage for the audience. He also owns a popular italian restaurant in town and they catered the dinner-theater menu, as well as food for the cast and crew.

The Round Barn turned out to be the perfect atmosphere for a creepy Halloween play. The ceiling is immense, and the venue allowed us complete freedom to screw things into the walls, floors, etc. Keith Miller, a local magician who also played the part of the attendant, designed several magical moments for the play. At one point when he is cornered, Dracula disappeared completely from the front edge of the stage, only to reappear later in a sealed coffin that had been sitting amidst the audience since the beginning. It went over very well and was a blast to perform.

That’s me with the beard in the chair on the left.