We had determined that I'd need a stage 5' x 8', and it would need to be moveable so I could rotate it to take photos from all sides without having to move the dolls. So our son prepared the stage at his studio, by screwing sheets of plywood onto one of his 4' x 8' risers supported on two of his moveable panel containers...to create a 5' x 8' stage....
So on the wedding day, I packed up all the dolls...thirty six in all....as well as the last few props.
At the studio, I spread the fabric flooring over the stage, and set up all the furniture and props. It was a lot of work, and the concrete floor was hard on my feet and back, so I'd have to take frequent little breaks...
I added the dolls, posing them as if they were just arriving at the cathedral. It would be our 'test' scene to adjust the background and lighting. I found it a lot harder to reach into the middle and pose the dolls than I had expected...
The Gothic Cathedral background was actually supposed to be a ruin, with broken windows, crumpled carpets, and dust everywhere. Jesse, their 3-D artist, had gone to the trouble to fix several of the broken windows. Then, after we set up, she removed all the elements out of the scene that I didn't want, like the pews, and the huge candle stands. Then, after everything was ready, it was time to do some testing...
I took some photos to see if I could take the photos hand held in the low light. I could!! As long as I didn't use too big a depth of field. Which meant it was going to be so much easier than using a tripod. So, taking the photos in the movie studio was basically shooting forced perspective against a digital background.
Then it was finally time for the wedding to begin. We could rotate the stage and the background so I could take photos from the different angles, with the other walls of the cathedral in the background.
When the procession began, we didn't like the big black door in the background...
When the procession began, we didn't like the big black door in the background...
...so they added some doors and lighted the space beyond the doors. That looked much better!
After positioning the dolls for a scene, we'd light the candles....
There were six candle stands, each with four candles to light...
I'd take photos of the scene from the various angles, and each time I wanted to take photos from a different angle...
....the background scene would have to rotate to match, and they would have to adjust the lighting.
The screen turned off between takes...
The LED panel wall...
Each time I was finished with a particular scene, we'd blow out all the candles so they wouldn't burn down too quickly. I had brought a box of extra candles, but I didn't want to run out. Plus it was better for continuity if the candles didn't suddenly get taller during the ceremony. Not that anyone else would likely notice. But I would.
I was constantly adjusting all the guest's heads so they'd be looking at the couple at the front...
Six hours and 150 photos later, and I shot the final scene. It was beyond impressive!
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