Project Background

The magician


Project output: a promo video sequence for an entertainer to impress his potential clients. The length of the clip should be anywhere between 60 seconds and 2:30.












Project background:




In November I had a chance to swing my camera around for a different purpose: to film a magician (or illusionist, whichever sounds more serious) performing on stage for RGU:Union's Talent Search.




Soon I realised that working with someone who focuses on illusions and sleight of hand is much more difficult than filming an event or a sport performer. I found it difficult to adjust the display frame at the beginning as I would not know what to expect: while filming Zahed Cheshty for Streetsport it was pretty straight forward to me: all I had to do was set the camera right, press the record button and occasionally tilt the tripod in one way or another.


This time it was different as I would not know what to expect. In a performance of this sort, the close-ups  are the key to a succesful video - even if the show is spectacular but the details are missing it renders the video coverage useless. I would not know where to expect a coin/or a card to appear in the next frame.


Unlike some of my video assignments it was not something I could direct and produce 'on the go' and hope for the best results.

The show was quite a display of talent including music performers, freestylers (Zahed performed there as well!) and last but not least - Radek Makar, who presnted the audience with some quality sleight of hand leaving the jury speachless.

This was a quick edit I composed afterwards

Radek must have liked the result, at least enough to ask me to help him provide video coverage for this week's finals.
I recorded his performance which, as always, was breathtaking and unique especially for a casual viewer.

Despite his superb performance Radek didn't win the final, yet managed to secure third place in the competition which still is a great success.


The best part was still to come though
After his stage time run out, we went to the first floor of RGU:Union and shoot some additional footage.
Despite the limited time and both of us being unprepared and acting 'unscripted' we managed to shoot something which I believe to  be one of my best video works shot up to day.