Props

A couple of ideas for props in the cinema shoot. Those retro popcorn containers are proving stupidly hard to source... it seems that only American retailers are willing to provide me with any less than 400 at a time. Does anyone know a cinema in London that uses these?

The opera glasses are a bit of a pain too... easy enough to find but pricey, and everything I buy eats in to the print budget.

But candy floss... candy floss you can rely on.

Mood board

'Mood board' as requested by one photographer. Was quite a useful process to make this.

Masion Bertaux

More location photos! I met with the manager Michelle yesterday who has agreed to keep the cafe open after hours for us, with lights on but no customers. She is also OK with us using both the interior and exterior... so if the council do reject our application to film on the street and we get hassle whilst doing so, there is a very viable back up.

Permission to film

Lights, camera, action. I need permission to shoot with a crew and lighting in Westminister! This should not come as a surprise really but it wasn't something I had considered. I spoke to the council's entertainment officer today and apparently it should be no problem... they also have an impressive three day turn around on the permit, so my neglect in this case is not going to balls up our date.

Current checklist for the Maison Bertaux shoot

1. Very long power extention cord
2. Tungsten lights
3. Tungsten film
4. Fan heater for model
   
5. Robe for model
6. Accessories for model
   
7. Spare make up for make up artist
   
8. Spare hair products/pins/rollers for model
   
9. Mismatching tea cups and pot (props)
   
10. Cakes (we will buy these from the shop as they look amazing)
11. Square box style shopping bags (props)

Another photographer

Secured the services of Huw Garrat, a photography contact of Susie's, to work on the Maison Bertaux shoot with us. Not seen much of his handy work yet but am assured he is just the man for the job. He also intends to invest in a new £400 toy especially for the shoot, which shows a man of true grit.

Lighting

Managed to sort out a couple of these bad boys. Robin also has some ideas as regards lighting which I'm meeting him to talk about next week. Looking good.

Photoshoots

Two confirmed now...

1. April 1st PM, Maison Bertaux, Soho. Theme: girls, cakes and tea. Full figured model confirmed, photographer TBC, make-up TBC.
   
2. April 2nd AM, Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley. girls, popcorn and the big screen. Petite model confirmed, Photographer confirmed, make-up confirmed.
   

My only problem at the moment is that all the lighting is TBC... it looks like Chelsea are unlikely to help me with anything during the Easter Holidays. I am going to try and remedy this, but otherwise we will have to cut in to our printing budget for this... a bit unnecessary I feel but must get this element right.

Initial Logo

More on The Phoenix

Meeting today went very well. Neil the Events Manager has offered me four hours of shooting (which would normally cost £500.00) in return for my paying his electric bills for the time we spend using the lighting (The Phoenix is in fact a registered charity!). Got some nice photos of the auditorium, which I am informed is 100% genuine 1930's.

As well as us publicizing the cinema, they have requested a couple of our best shots for their own publicity in which they will credit the photography, art direction and fashion... so the project is beginning to have that vibe. It looks like many parties will be benefiting.

Always smile and world will smile back at you.

Just secured some time shooting at The Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley. I'm going in for a meeting and a show round the venue tomorrow and will return with some preliminary photos for an idea of the kind of shots we can do.

Also been on the phone to a new photographer, Robin Mellor (one of his images to the left , recommended to me by a certain Giraffe Girl!) who has agreed to do a shoot with us.