Modeling in Mid-Air

My friend Jenni Bregman and I did a bunch of jumping around for two photographers this weekend. I love stuff like this — collaborating around movement, image, character…and Jenni is especially fun to play with because she’s game for almost anything. Highlight mid-air moments included leap frog stance and weathering a rain storm of puff balls. You’d be surprised how difficult it is to model, mid-movement, for a specific moment. Really – it’s hard! My brain was going: 1, 2, 3, and jump, point toes, kick foot, arm out, soften stance, chin up, eyes focus on point, hair fling, keep it out of face, and stop looking so strained! Phew! It was kind of like patting your tummy and rubbing your head. Or vice versa.

Here’s some pics I took of Jenni as she was getting pummeled by a puff ball rainstorm:

Gathering the rain

Leaping through the rain storm

Rainfall complete

Gathering the rain for another try

I like to be in front of the camera sometimes because it helps me understand what it’s like for the actors I work with in my films. I am reminded of the importance of clarity of vision and the impact of the director on the mental and emotional space of actors (which, of course, impacts performance). And another tip: being able to see what I look and move like on camera DURING the shoot helps me improve fast. While a good director will use language to help me understand how I fit into a shot, sometimes the best thing they can do is just show me the footage. Then, the light bulb comes on (like it did today): OH! You mean I’m jumping too quickly and am way too far away from everyone! I see it!

I’m really looking forward to seeing the final pics; will post some here later when I get them.