Starting Urbana12 Production

I'm way out of my depth here guys...

Any Hu, video team member, and I set up shots for transitional scenes.

This Labor day, instead of resting, I was working away. I spent most of the weekend vacationing with friends up at InterVarsity's camp Cedar Campus, but when my Urbana project manager heard we'd be there, he suggested we do a day of shooting backgrounds for a dance and theater piece  titled "The Deep"-- since, up there, Lake Huron is clean and clear and indeed deep.  Amy and I spent a full day shooting and at least 4 of those hours in a boat or up to our thighs in cold water. This being my first time directing a video shoot (I've directed photoshoots before) I felt in over my head. And now I'm further in, editing the clips together in Final Cut. Here we are filming (shots taken by our model Laura)...

Views from the shore...and from the water. (Sorry, none of us filming in the kayak.)

It's a hard balance to find the abstract in photos, and still hold to a concept. It's hard to even describe what you're looking for. We needed shots that felt like the viewer was on the shore, on a boat, and underwater with the fish, to be the set as scenes from Jesus, the disciples, and the abundant catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11) are acted on stage. A couple shots of the Real/Abstract look we're trying to achieve...

The shore and out to sea to let down nets.

Jesus: “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Simon: "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."  

Friends, I'm feeling like Simon(Peter) right now. I've been working hard, trying to find a cohesive look for the screens behind speakers, worship, theater, testimonies and transitions. One that honors the themes and stories of all, delights but doesn't distract, and brings them all together. Right now, my team and I don't know if it's working. We've run into so many fears (will the audience understand it?), limitations (time, money, personel) and creative hurdles (so...what does the 'worthiness of Jesus' look like?). But Urbana12 is the Lord's work. So, we'll let down our nets once again.

Please pray for an abundant catch. Pray that whatever our solution to these backdrops is, it will be fitting and beautiful, and that we will arrive at it soon!