Hello from Prague!

We just wrapped up our first full day in the Czech Republic, and what a day it was. We had our first official production meeting with Markus and Martin of Creovision, the exceptional Czech production company that is hosting our first international Canon Boot Camp. We were having weekly Skype meetings, but today was the first time we could look at each other, and not stare at our computer screen. The planning of the Prague Canon camera classes started over a year ago, and now, here we are, ready to train European’s best in the Canon DSLR 5D and 7D.

Markus, Fletch, and Tom

We started at 9 AM to go over the schedule for our 10-day stay. We got to Day 3 and ran out of time…so I’m still not sure what will happen day 4-10, but maybe it’s for the best. Based on the schedule for Day 3, which is the day of our first boot camp, it’s going to be hectic. We’ll be meeting at the studio that day at 5 AM and won’t wrap until 9 PM. Do they make a 10-hour energy drink? Because I’ll be needing that. Please mail some to the Courtyard Marriott in Prague…

Next, we went on our first location scout at the gorgeous Prague train station, where most of our shoot will take place. We blocked out the shots and became even more confident that we were going to have a beautiful and successful shoot. We were so engrossed in the lively train station that Markus had a hard time pulling us away to have lunch.

The old Prague Train Station

Tom acting as the janitor, and Fetch acting as the frustrated male lead.

I came to Prague to mug people with my partner-in-crime, Tom Myrdahl.

After a very filling Czech lunch, we met a few of the other video production crew members as well as the main actors for our short film. Irena and Vojat have been good friends for 10 years, let’s see if they can play lovers. After a very convincing mock fight, where the room went silent with tension, I’m sure they will pull it off.

Tomorrow, we return to the train station with a more complete storyboard and shot list. Then, while Fletch, Tom, and Nancy play with the new Canon DSLR 5D Mark III (yes, we somehow got our hands on it), I will be going to the prop house to look at Czechoslovakian military costumes from the 1910 era and Gibson girl style wardrobe.

I am impressed by how organized Markus, Martin, and the whole Creovision crew is. They are able to get everything we ask for, and more. And that includes the Canon C300 and the Canon 5D Mark III.