The “perfect (brain) storm”
I guess if there can be a “perfect storm”, then there can be a “perfect brainstorm”. But given that mine happened over multiple years, maybe it is more like “el Niño” or climate change! Anyway, it went something like this:
I first saw the show with some friends while vacationing in Arkansas in 1984. They had bought us tickets for a show we knew nothing about. I enjoyed the show, thought it would be great to do someday, but had no idea it would come to this!
In the late 90’s I started dropping hints that the local theater group (Act 4) should consider it, and later found out that the neighboring community theater group (Stage 212) was mounting the show in the early part of 2000. I rallied 3 other musicians and we walked in and auditioned as an on-stage band for the show. Ed Benner on fiddle & mandolin, Rick Reha on banjo and guitar, Ken Osborn on standup bass, and me playing guitar and a little harmonica. I think the musical director was thanking his lucky stars that night, and sent to piano player home empty handed. http://www.stage212.org/gospel/gospel.html
I enjoyed the show and thought it would be great to play the part of Matthew someday. The only downside to that was not being a part of the music ensemble. The music kept going through my head, and off and on I would think about doing the show. After the local library got rid of their VHS tape of the show I had to search out my own copy.
After starting to play the mandolin I realized that with my 6 string banjo and the other instruments I played I could do a halfway job of covering the instruments in the band. Now I need to say that I personally never sing with “backup” tapes, it kind of goes against my grain as a self-accompanying musician. However, I figured I would give the singer some credit if I knew he had personally played all the instruments on the recording. (So I hope you will also.) While the revelation that I might be able to do a sound track by myself evolved in the 2005 to 2006 time frame, the idea of video came later.
The idea of projecting images of me playing the various instruments started with basic still photos. Perhaps a slide show which would add some visual interest to the musical portions of the show. Eventually that evolved to multiple images and projectors. Although I had never owned a video camera before starting this project I knew the potential was there, just not in the quality I wanted (or could afford).
In the fall of 2010, our younger son Aaron entered his sophomore year in college rooming with a young man who was a communications major with an emphasis in film. I was amazed to see the quality of his high definition music videos using equipment even I could afford. That’s when the wheels really started turning – why not have four videos, on four screens, synced so the “quartet” could be there on stage, life size! It seemed like the technology had caught up with my brainstorm!
After a little research and a decision to go with Sony Vegas Pro for the video editing, I placed a call to one of their Elite Dealers. When I heard that a system could be put together for $25,000 to $30,000 to do what I wanted, I figured there had to be another way. I was told it was an easy process to merge four video images into one final one. I would just need a BIG screen.
Of course there were all kinds of side “squalls” in this storm. Shooting on location, making one band member “left handed”, costume changes of grandiose proportions…… perhaps for the next version.
While there are parts of the effort I look forward to redoing (because they need it), all-in-all I am pleased with the calm after the storm. It allows me to be Matthew again and again, without fear the band will quit on me!