What a long, glorious day!  Today was all about the Nutcracker.  We spent the morning getting ready, and arrived at the Barre Opera House by noon.  Stephanie and Errol came along, and Steph was NOT a volunteer, for once.

I left the tripod in place yesterday, so all I had to do was put the camera on it and attach the focus and zoom and power.  I used the batteries for the wireless mic from yesterday, but it crapped out half-way through the party scene.

Steph was backstage and took a few photos.  She was making noises about helping out but I spoke to Tara, the Stage Manager about that and she told Steph she wasn’t needed and should go watch the show.

I used the still camera as a wide shot again, but it overexposes the stage lighting and also the batteries on it died just before the intermission.

Steph got to see the show, even though Errol wouldn’t hold still.  He finally fell asleep before intermission and slept through to the end of Loggers.

During intermission, Steph went out and got me another set of 9v batteries for the wireless.  Having that stage sound really makes a huge difference.  My shotgun at the camera picks up the audience and applause, but it’s great to hear the clatter of the dance shoes.

The footage is gorgeous.  I wish I could work on it right away.

Yesterday I thought, ‘too bad there’s no sign-up sheet for purchasing the DVD’.  And later, ‘too bad there aren’t a stack of last year’s DVD for sale in the lobby during intermission’.  Today I thought, ‘We should have an iPod version available for sale on Christine’s website.’  To which Steph asked, ‘who owns the rights to the music she uses?’  Way to kill the mood by referring to reality…

Christine is not happy that it takes me months and months to edit the videos.  I told her my ideas and she just looked at me like, ‘yeah, right.’  She liked the ideas and said to get to work on that.  She also said she wouldn’t offer the 2011 DVDs for sale until I had actually finished it.

I really want to get this done quickly.  The show was so lovely.  Speaking of lovely, Bridget was there tonight.

After the show I took Errol up on stage and showed him around.  He wanted to stay on the Maple Sugar Fairy’s throne (where Claire and the Prince sit for most of the 2nd act).  He didn’t want to go.