woodsculpting on DIY

chuckt · #11 08-08-2007, 01:32 PM

What's REALLY frustrating is that if you don't get DIY there is no possible way to get access to these or other previously aired shows of interest. I can't figure out why they (and HGTV) haven't figured out how to offer these shows (and shows like Modern Masters from HGTV) as either DVDs OR streamed videos on their websites. I'd pay a subscription fee to get access to these if it was reasonable.

<sigh> All this fantastic technology and they aren't using it!!

!
ChuckT

LCorbett · #12 08-08-2007, 03:49 PM

OK...I'll fill in what I can about the Woodsculpting program and shooting...
First...DIY contracts the videography from outside production companies. The company that filmed these new episodes (21 if I remember right) is Robin Hood Video...Kip Grosenick is the head guy, and the one conducting the interview and direction.

The series is not really intended to be a "how-to" as such. They want a project, of course, but the shows are more to highlight the artists...what we do, how we live, what inspires us to do the thing we do. The projects are mainly "artist at work", but of course lots of tips and techniques are given!

A little insight into the shooting of the episodes...I really had my eyes opened with the process...it's fascinating...
It's an intensive 3 day shoot. A crew of three plus me in the studio (360 square feet...we were VERY good friends afterwards...lol). My project is a miniature mountain bluebird. Now there's NO WAY I can carve AND paint a project in 3 days, so there was a LOT of prep work on my part. In order to give the impression of a project being done start to finish, I had to pre-carve several birds for filming - each in various stages of completion, so there would be a fairly seamless transition from one phase to the next. I think I had 7 stages prepared...that took me roughly two weeks.

The 3 days filming is punctuated with lots of scene changes, which means resetting up cameras, lighting and sound wiring...takes time. Oh, and even tho it's a 3 day shoot, it has to "appear" like a one day thing, so I had to wear the same clothes all 3 days...(yes, I DID wash them every night...lol). Set up involves metering, sound tests, etc. so it wasn't just a matter of moving stuff from one place to another...there are two cameras, and both need to be set up so that the lighting is equal, so the different camera angles will have consistent lighting...not as easy as it sounds...
One camera on a tripod, the other hand-held...and it was a heavy camera...it required a brace that the cameraman straps on...(it was an endless source of poking fun due to the funny angle of the brace rod....grins...)

During the scence change set-up, Kip would ask questions about the next phase they'll be shooting...this is prep for him, as he will prompt me several times while I'm working with questions to make it appear as if I'm narrating my process...
Let me say that Kip really came prepared...he read my book, and was pretty knowlegable about my process and knew what questions to ask...

In addition to this, there are a few "beauty shots"...walking into the studio to start my day, choosing my wood, sketching, shooting the finished piece in natural light, etc. These are not necessarily shot in sequence, by the way. In my case, it took several takes for these. Plus, during the carving sequences, if I got tongue-tied or flubbed, we would have to do a retake (happened a LOT...grin...). So, this isn't a matter of "simply" filming a seamless start to finish project. Keep in mind that 3 days of filming has to be edited to roughly 20 minutes worth of material (for a 30 minute episode, including commercials).

So, you can understand why not everything can be included, and some sequences don't make it to the final stage. Seeing how things were shot gave me a lot of insight into how things would have to be edited...for instance, some carving stages couldn't be filmed well because I had to be so close to my work in order to complete that part...sometimes, I just couldn't shift my hands to accommodate the cameras. My guess this may have been the case with the driftwood indian eyes...with still photography, these things can be "faked" and staged..."live" shots are a complete different story.

OK..there's 2 days in the can...the 3rd day is reserved for reshooting sequences, if needed, plus the interview, and a field trip to highlight where I live, my favorite places to visit for inspiration...me doing "research" etc.

I was really nervous about being filmed because I really hate being in front of a camera...still or video. I told the crew this prior to them coming out. The crew came by the night before and we spent time getting to know one another and they scoped out the studio for ways to set up the next day...very efficient.
Kip filled me in on the shooting process, things to do or not to do...things like not looking into the camera when I spoke, but at him.

I have to say, that after the first 1/2 day, I hardly knew the cameras were there, even in my small space. That is a testament to the crew's professionalism, and easy going attitude. Kip, being out of camera range, would sense when I started getting a little nervous and would do something to break the tension...saying something funny or pulling a face...sometimes resulting in a reshoot....grin....

I really didn't envy the editing he prolly had to do on MY episode....grin....
The crew was very receptive to suggestions, as to what I thought is important to include, and I know Kip took every pain to accommodate...but given the amount of editing that needs to be done, it's impossible to include everything...so I'm sure that sequences that you would like to see may end up cut...3 days, and some 15 tapes reduced to 20 minutes actual footage...well.....

I hope this gives a little more insight into the process, and why not everything will make it to the final product.

xsailer · #13 08-08-2007, 05:02 PM

LCorbett,
Thank you for your report. Obviously you know how much your activity interests us. Sounds like an intense process but at the end rewarding. I'm sure you're glad you did it now that it's over. Also sounds like you learned a lot since you have a lot to report. But then again artists do notice things around them. Did you mention to anybody, that could do something about it, the intense interest of the thousands of woodcarvers in the U.S. and throughout the world? I would think it might be a paying proposition for them and us if they expanded thier interest in producing a full time woodcarving show. I'm looking forward to seeing your show.

Eddy Smiles · #14 08-08-2007, 08:45 PM

So...basically, it's just another reality TV show? Entertainment but no substance?

LCorbett · #15 08-08-2007, 09:24 PM

Uhhhh...no...I don't consider what I do and what I shared on film as "entertainment with no substance"...and I'm sure none of the other artists think so either...

The filmakers attempted to provide a balance of background and technique, and from the few episodes I've seen it succeeded. Didn't you get a few ideas and learn a technique or two from the show you saw?

There IS instruction, but it's hard to cram a detailed, no stone left unturned project into 20 minutes...that was the point I was making...

As I said earlier...there are lots of tips and techniques in the series...but you just can't do a detailed, comprehensive instructional project in 20 minutes...

As to patterns...I suppose the network could contact those carvers who USE patterns asking them to submit them for scanning...

LCorbett · #16 08-09-2007, 12:24 AM

xsailer...thank you...
It was an intense, but fun experience for sure. Hope you do enjoy the series!
When it comes to program suggestions, however, I'm not any "closer" to the decision makers at the network, than anybody else.

MDWine · #17 08-09-2007, 02:20 PM

Interesting stuff Lori!

I remember Tom telling us that he was floating dekes and calling ducks in the middle of August for his shoot!! too funny...

I'm really looking forward to seeing you on TV.. I can tell my kids "I KNOW HER!!!"

Thanks for the post!

LCorbett · #18 08-09-2007, 05:00 PM

Michael...yah I thought it was hilarious calling ducks in August, too...but whaddayagonnado....lol...

The crew wanted to go find some moose and Sandhill Cranes, so I took them on a trip to the desert, where there was a good chance of seeing both (YES...desert moose...we have N.A.'s largest year-round desert dwelling moose herd - about 400 head). Didn't see any moose, but I found the biggest dang set of moose tracks I'd ever seen...leading down a game trail...I wasn't ABOUT to go around the corner to see if Mr. Moose was laying up somewhere...it was September and the rut was on...said, "This is far as we go boys...it might be a good idea to get back in the rig...NOW." (Especially because my pistol didn't make the trip with us...grin).

After about 90 minutes of driving around, we gave up on seeing cranes...and wouldn't you know it...coming home...not 2 MILES from my place....100+ staging sandhill cranes...lol...

Eddy Smiles · #19 08-09-2007, 05:12 PM

Mr. Corbett... My apologies if you took what I said as a slam against your efforts. It was not intended as such. It's just a generalization that I've found true of most shows telecast on DIY and HGTV.

And to be perfectly honest, as I think that I mentioned previously, I don't get DIY on my cable network. I was referring to the DIY website which by nature of the step by step instruction appears to be more of a "how to" tutorial rather than a carver showcase.

Again, my apologies!

LCorbett · #20 08-09-2007, 06:20 PM

Not a problem, Eddy...
I don't get DIY, either...just watched some shows that were taped for me...
Been hounding the heck outta my cable provider, but they'd rather provide me with (6) shopping channels, (5) "Classic" sports channels (read: reruns of WAY past games...whoop-dee-doodilly-DO) and (5) Spanish channels for my 75.00/month "premium" package...sheesh...
Lori