This taping was a successful problem-solving move forward for several reasons

PRODUCTION DESIGN: Moving the big blue ladder behind the musicians worked well because:
• The ladder looked good both its shape and most importantly its color – the color was luxurious against that black background - made the production more sumptuous as well as adding much needed visual depth. Both the color and the shape/construction of the ladder should be further exploited in upcoming tapings.

The ladder, floor, music stands, the music books, microphones, the musicians themselves in their individual outfits and faces, camera intrusions – all this is forming the unique design of this unique production.
• Colors are emerging as dominant – blue, green, black, and as accents shades of brown including red and blond as well as grey, e.g. the floor, Andrew’s beard
• Shapes emerging as dominant are mostly lines: the lines on the floor, the lines of the music stands, the microphone stands, the chairs, the cables, and now the ladder pulling these disparate elements together.
• Levels: these are undeveloped comparatively - two standing and two sitting musicians. Have found two substantial real chairs for Andrew and Bern, which should make them more comfortable, allow them sit up straighter and not have to lean over so much to read the music. They are part of the MNN stock in the big studio. MNN flats in the main studio seem prohibitive because of size and weight - will check these out during upcoming editing sessions.

PHOTOGRAPHY: New shot angles meant more personality showing. Able to see more about the individual musicians, their relationships to each other, the music (including craft/technical issues) and as well as the crew’s eyes/viewpoints.

• The camera moved briefly into a couple of shots but it wasn’t a problem. It helped to build the production’s straight forward, intelligent, sophisticated credentials.
• I’m assuming that some of the additional shot angles were facilitated by space freed by moving the ladder.
• Can we use an extension cord for the camera to add to the area the camera can move through in the studio?
• Whole band establishment shots –need to be further developed. Some are a bit out of focus & the composition does not seem to have a purpose other than getting everyone into the picture – this is not sufficient. I suggest:
• Putting together 2-4 group shots with a different band member the central focus of each shot so it’s Beth and the band or Lenore and the band or Bern and the band or Andrew and the band
• Purposely fuzzing the face of persons not the focus of a given group shot. This is just one possible way to use group shots themselves to further the production design (since they are a part of the production design) e.g. the production design has evolved in relation to production content and budget as well as the set-up at MNN, e.g. the limitations of the studio space, technical and equipment limitations.

SOUND: The sound continued to be clean and undistorted even with the addition of the microphone on Beth

Sound Issues to be addressed at the next taping:
• I am at an uncomfortable, inefficient angle to my microphone (because of the music stand and shot requirements) and I don’t want to hold the mic because of the page turns and generally having my hands free.
• This means that on my spoken dialogue the volume is sometimes too low since I am not always in the microphone because of the music stand.
Can my mike be hotter without distortion?
Can the overhead mike be used to compensate without distortion?
Can I go back to a supplemental laveliere microphone without distortion?

LIGHTING: The lighting was a bit harsh – needed to be more diffused and/or softer. Glare on plastic music holders was present but seemed minimal – will gauge this problem at the next taping with better chairs/angles for sitting musicians.

DIRECTION: We continue to develop into a more cohesive group while experimenting and getting smarter and deeper.

NEW CREW MEMBER: Welcome Gary – your sure-footed professional work as floor manager was calming to talent

CONTENT: The content in my view was tighter and better executed. Like all of this it’s a process. That’s a truth, a guide (not an excuse) central to making thoughtful/complex, useful expressions

1. Good arrangement of players - easy to see people and for them to interact.
2. Pictures were clear and relevant
3. Floor management protocol was worked out nicely by the second taping
4. Just heard the performances on the tape at MNN and the sound was very good - not distorted like it sounded on the DVD - my apologies for not waiting till I heard the tape for the last message. Don Young has solved the long standing issue of using the lav mike without distortion - he made it work

Second surprise - the rehearsal episode did record on DVD - the DVD had two programs perhaps because it had been stopped and restarted. The second program didn’t turn up on my computer but did on MNN’s.